Watch the above video to hear Alabama Crimson Tide on SI beat writer Theo Fernandez's reaction to Alabama's initial College Football Playoff committee ranking.
The College Football Playoff committee's rankings are always going to create controversy. This week, Alabama is at the center of it.
The Crimson Tide came in at No. 5 in the first ranking of the 2026 season, a full four spots higher than its spot in the AP Top 25. Furthermore, the highest Alabama ever got in that poll was No. 6, even when it was undefeated at 5-0.
Alabama is the highest-ranked two-loss team, and is ranked above the following teams:
Undefeated UCLA
One-loss BYU
One-loss Kentucky (Alabama won head-to-head, but is ranked lower in the AP and Coaches Polls)
One-loss Notre Dame
Tennessee, who has a head-to-head win over the Crimson Tide
The only teams ranked higher than Alabama are 8-0 Miami, 7-1 Georgia, 8-0 Utah, and 8-1 Indiana (in that order). The committee views the Crimson Tide's resume as one of the strongest in the nation, with its losses coming to No. 2 Georgia and No. 13 Tennessee.
The SEC has seven of the committee's 14 highest-ranked teams, and 10 of the top 25. Alabama's upcoming opponent, LSU, is ranked No. 14, with the same 6-2 record as Kalen DeBoer's squad. The Crimson Tide's ranking lends credence to the idea that it could lose to the Tigers on Saturday and still be in the mix for a playoff spot at 9-3.
1. Miami (8-0)
2. Georgia (7-1)
3. Utah (8-0)
4. Indiana (8-1)
5. Alabama (6-2)
6. Kentucky (7-1)
7. Texas (6-2)
8. UCLA (8-0)
9. BYU (7-1)
10. Ole Miss (6-2)
11. Notre Dame (7-1)
12. Ohio State (6-2)
13. Tennessee (6-2)
14. LSU (6-2)
15. Texas Tech (7-1)
16. Wake Forest (7-1)
17. Houston (6-2)
18. Missouri (6-2)
19. Iowa (6-2)
20. USC (7-2)
21. South Carolina (5-3)
22. Arizona (6-2)
23. Oregon (5-3)
24. Florida (5-3)
25. Boise State (7-1)
Hunter Yurachek, Arkansas athletic director (committee chair)
Troy Dannen, Nebraska athletic director
Mark Dantonio, former Michigan State, Cincinnati coach
Doug Gillin, Appalachian State athletic director
Mark Harlan, Utah athletic director
Ivan Maisel, former sports writer at SI, ESPN, other outlets
Gus Malzahn, former Auburn, UCF, Arkansas State coach
Chris Massaro, Middle Tennessee State athletic director
Randall McDaniel, former Arizona State All-American offensive lineman
Mike Riley, former Oregon State, Nebraska coach
Jeff Tedford, former Cal, Fresno State coach
Wesley Walls, former Mississippi All-American tight end
Carla Williams, Virginia athletic director
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/alabama as Reacting to Alabama's Stunning College Football Playoff Committee Ranking .
