The conclusion of the college football regular season left Alabama football on the outside looking in as the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) field was set. Despite Alabama’s strong metrics, the SMU Mustangs secured a playoff spot, a decision that has sparked controversy and led Crimson Tide Athletic Director Greg Byrne to reconsider the program’s nonconference scheduling strategy moving forward.
Greg Byrne’s Statement and Response
NBC Sports reporter Nicole Auerbach shared Byrne’s reaction on X, where he expressed disappointment with the CFP decision and discussed how it might influence Alabama’s scheduling in the future.
“Disappointed with the outcome and felt we were one of the twelve best teams in the country. We had an extremely challenging schedule and recognize there were two games in particular that we did not perform as well as we should have,” Byrne said. “We have said that we would need to see how strength of schedule would be evaluated by the CFP. With this outcome, we will need to assess how many P4 nonconference games make sense in the future to put us in the best position to participate in the CFP.”
Byrne also called the exclusion of Alabama a setback for college football and voiced pride in the team’s season, which will now culminate in a ReliaQuest Bowl matchup against Michigan on December 31.
Alabama’s Metrics vs. SMU’s Resume
Alabama had a stronger case than SMU when evaluating metrics. The Crimson Tide ranked higher in strength of schedule (18th to SMU’s 57th), strength of record (11th to 15th), Football Power Index (4th to 13th), and the old BCS formula (11th to 12th). Alabama also had a superior record against ranked teams, going 3-1 with wins over No. 2 Georgia, No. 15 South Carolina, and No. 19 Missouri. In contrast, SMU played two ranked opponents and lost both games.
Despite these advantages, the CFP committee prioritized conference championships, and SMU’s AAC title likely tipped the scales in its favor.
Missed Opportunities and Lessons for Alabama
Alabama’s fate was sealed earlier in the season with uncharacteristic losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma. These defeats, combined with a challenging SEC schedule, undermined the team’s overall resume. The Crimson Tide’s most notable nonconference matchup was a road game against Wisconsin, which appeared formidable at the time but lost its luster as the season progressed.
Greg Byrne’s remarks suggest Alabama may pivot to a lighter nonconference schedule to complement the rigorous SEC slate, potentially aligning their strategy with the new CFP landscape.
Implications for the Program
Alabama’s upcoming game against Michigan holds significant weight. A win would preserve the program’s streak of 10-win seasons, which dates back to Nick Saban’s second year in 2008. Conversely, a loss would mark a disappointing end to Kalen DeBoer’s first year as head coach.
Byrne’s statement also sends a clear message to the CFP committee, advocating for a recalibration of playoff criteria. As the 12-team playoff format evolves, it remains to be seen whether the emphasis on conference championships over strength of schedule will hold in future selections.
The decision underscores the changing dynamics of college football, where even powerhouse programs like Alabama must adapt to secure their place in the postseason.