The College Football Playoff selection committee really warmed up to Alabama, which was fourth in the rankings released on Tuesday night.
Alabama lost to Mississippi in September and then Florida pounded Ole Miss at home. But the Tide landed in a playoff position, while Florida was 10th and Ole Miss 18th.
“Alabama, from our point of view, had a stronger schedule in the games they have won,” said selection committee chairman Jeff Long, the athletic director at Arkansas.
“They have three wins against teams with better-than .500 records. They’re close even though they may be separated by a number of ranking spots.