A few days ago, I wrote that the Alabama Crimson Tide "badly need a playoff win for the Crimson Tide to remain college football's Playoff King." The use of 'badly' was perhaps hyperbole. I still believe that Alabama needs to beat Oklahoma, and that if it does not, there will be a flood of media stories relishing the fall of once mighty Alabama.
Since then, ESPN's Bill Connelly has ranked all 63 College Football Playoff teams, and his ranking altered my perspective. Whatever happens on Friday night and through this playoff season, the Alabama Crimson Tide will remain the 'Playoff King.