Who Alabama Fans Should Root for in the College Football Playoff Race During Championship Week

Who Alabama Fans Should Root for in the College Football Playoff Race During Championship Week**

 

As the College Football Playoff (CFP) race heads into Championship Week, Alabama fans are naturally focused on the possibility of the Crimson Tide securing a spot in the playoffs. With Alabama on the bubble, every result this weekend could dramatically impact the team’s postseason fate. While Alabama’s path to the CFP relies on their own performance and potentially a win over Georgia in the SEC Championship, fans should keep an eye on other key matchups across the country. Here’s a guide to which teams Alabama fans should root for during Championship Week to increase the chances of seeing the Crimson Tide in the CFP.

### 1. **Root for Michigan to Beat Iowa in the Big Ten Championship**

Alabama fans should be rooting for Michigan to defeat Iowa in the Big Ten Championship. Michigan has been one of the top teams all season, and a victory over Iowa would likely solidify their spot in the playoff. While Michigan is already highly ranked, their victory would also strengthen the argument for Alabama’s inclusion in the CFP, especially if Alabama were to win the SEC Championship. The key here is that a strong Michigan team makes Alabama’s potential win over Georgia more impressive. Additionally, if Michigan beats Iowa, it could ensure that there are fewer potential chaos scenarios involving an undefeated team (like Iowa) pushing for a spot in the CFP.

### 2. **Root for Georgia to Beat Alabama in the SEC Championship**

While this might seem counterintuitive to most Alabama fans, rooting for Georgia to win the SEC Championship could be a strategic move. If Alabama were to win, it would dramatically increase their chance of making the playoff, but rooting for Georgia to win may actually help keep other contenders out of the conversation. With Georgia sitting at the top of the rankings, their continued success ensures that the SEC will still get a strong representation in the playoff. If Georgia defeats Alabama, it may lock up one of the four playoff spots, while leaving other teams with one-loss records (such as Texas, Oregon, or Ohio State) vying for the remaining spots.

### 3. **Root for Oregon to Beat Washington in the Pac-12 Championship**

Alabama fans should be rooting for Oregon to defeat Washington in the Pac-12 Championship. If Oregon wins, it could effectively push Washington out of the playoff picture, as an undefeated Washington team has a strong chance of making the playoffs with their resume intact. A one-loss Oregon team, however, would be easier for the committee to overlook in favor of other teams. In the case of a loss by Washington, it would be one less team Alabama has to worry about in terms of playoff contention, potentially increasing Alabama’s chances of securing a spot with one loss. A win by Oregon could make room for the SEC to dominate the playoff rankings.

### 4. **Root for Texas to Beat Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship**

Texas is already in a solid position to make the playoff, but Alabama fans should root for the Longhorns to beat Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Championship. A Texas victory solidifies their spot in the top four and guarantees a strong conference champion in the playoff mix. With Texas winning, it removes the possibility of any chaos that could come from a surprising loss in the Big 12 Championship, which might push other one-loss teams ahead of Alabama. Texas would likely finish with a strong resume, but its success helps Alabama’s case by cementing the playoff field and preventing an unexpected shift in rankings.

### 5. **Root for Florida State to Lose in the ACC Championship**

The situation in the ACC Championship is crucial for Alabama fans. Florida State, an undefeated team, is currently on the outside looking in, mainly due to concerns over their quarterback situation. A loss to Louisville would likely push Florida State out of playoff contention, which would open up a spot for a team like Alabama to slide in. If Florida State remains undefeated, they would be hard to leave out of the CFP, but a loss could make the committee’s decision more clear-cut. Alabama fans would likely benefit from Florida State’s loss, as it creates less of a logjam at the top of the rankings and could push Alabama higher in the standings.

### 6. **Root for a Chaotic Scenario with Multiple One-Loss Teams**

Finally, Alabama fans should embrace the potential for chaos in the final rankings. If multiple teams with one loss – such as Oregon, Texas, and Ohio State – all win their respective championship games, it could create a mess for the CFP selection committee. In this scenario, the committee would have to carefully consider resumes, strength of schedule, and head-to-head results. With Alabama’s strong finish to the season and a potential SEC Championship win, they would have a strong argument over teams that don’t have conference titles. A chaotic ranking could increase Alabama’s chances of sneaking into the fourth spot, especially if other teams with one loss do not have as convincing of a case.

### Conclusion

Alabama fans should be watching Championship Week closely, hoping for results that increase the likelihood of their team making the College Football Playoff. Rooting for Michigan, Georgia, and Texas to win their respective championships is the safest bet for ensuring the CFP race remains manageable, while rooting for Oregon, Florida State, and even a chaotic series of upsets may provide the most favorable outcome for the Crimson Tide. With their fate largely in their own hands following the SEC Championship, Alabama’s playoff hopes will be significantly influenced by these games, so fans should pay attention to every result as the race to the College Football Playoff continues to unfold.