Paul Finebaum: Another loss will end Alabama's chances at the 2024 College Football Playoff

With two losses going into the final weekend of October, Alabama is in a must-win scenario for the rest of the season, including when they host No. 21 Missouri on Saturday.

While on ‘Get Up’ on Friday, SEC Network host Paul Finebaum assessed what’s at stake for the Crimson Tide tomorrow against Mizzou, suggesting it would be Alabama’s armageddon if they were to lose to the Tigers. Not only would it be because of it being a rare third regular season loss, but it would also eliminate the Tide from the College Football Playoff.

“Well, let’s go back to 1987 – R.E.M.’s ‘It’s The End Of The World As We Know It’ if the Tide does not win,” Finebaum stated. “You know this program. They cannot afford a loss because that would literally knock them out of the playoff. They still have LSU.”

This win is necessary for two main reasons for ‘Bama.

For one, it has to be mandatory with them at 5-2, including both losses over this poor three-game stretch. That has them where each of the next two are essential against the best competition left on their schedule. It also makes this one especially so with it being understood as the easier between the two rather than their following game versus LSU in Death Valley.

For two, Missouri comes into this game dealing with some significant injury concerns. Both Brady Cook and Nate Noel, their starting quarterback and leading rusher, have doubtful designations per the injury report. That has taken the Tide from being just under a two-score favorite to nearly a three-score one tomorrow in Tuscaloosa. It would also be what makes it that much worse if they’re unable to even outright win it.

Finebaum does expect Alabama to win this one and enter their second bye week at 6-2 on the season. That said, he still has his concerns, with every remaining game ultimately determining where the Crimson Tide will be in terms of the College Football Playoff.

“I think Alabama will pull this out but I’m always nervous watching Alabama play this year,” said Finebaum.