This is unfamiliar territory. For the first time in the College Football Playoff era, Alabama might be watchingu2015not preparing foru2015the four-team championship tournament.
LSU's 46-41 victory over the Crimson Tide in Week 11 means Nick Saban's squad cannot force the CFP selection committee's hand. Nobody can control destiny, but a 13-0 record and SEC title leave no room for doubt. Had the Tide accomplished it, the CFP would be in their future.
Instead, the team's realistic best-case scenario is 11-1 and no SEC crown. Alabama, which is ranked fifth in the latest College Football Playoff poll, needs some help.