Paul Finebaum ponders where Alabama goes from here, if they are serious CFP contender

This isn’t how Alabama saw its season going. After beginning the season with a convincing 56-7 victory against Middle Tennessee State, hopes were high for the Crimson Tide.

Nonetheless, those hopes took a big hit after Texas handed Nick Saban and Co. a 34-24 loss in just its second game of the season. Paul Finebaum isn’t sure how, or even if, Alabama will recover from the devastating defeat.

“Where does this program go?” Finebaum asked on “The Matt Barrie Show.” “How big of a controversy do they have a quarterback, who, frankly, doesn’t really even matter? Because if you’re looking at Alabama objectively, are they really a serious playoff team anymore.

“I know that sounds really crass in the early morning hours afterward, but you tell me this, they can’t lose again and make the playoffs and what what is the likelihood of that which by the way would include a Georgia game?”

Alabama must regroup in the

Alabama looked discombobulated often against the Longhorns, especially in the passing game. Jalen Milroe only connected on 14 of his 27 pass attempts while also throwing two interceptions. The performance paled in comparison Texas QB Quinn Ewers’ stunning 349-yard, three-TD performance.

On Sunday, Alabama received insult to injury. The Crimson Tide fell seven spots in the AP Top 25 Poll to No. 10. Finebaum believes things won’t get any easier for Alabama anytime soon.

“A couple weeks from now Ole Miss comes in. That’s an explosive team with a dynamic quarterback. Then you go to Texas A&M,” Finebaum said. “By the way, I haven’t mentioned the better teams on the schedule. We’re talking about Tennessee, LSU — which I expect to bounce back.

“You have tricky games at Kentucky, Mississippi State — I mean, you have everybody,” Finebaum said. “All of a sudden, Arkansas, Mississippi State, [and] games like that that you never really gave much thought to, you have to say they’re in play now.”

As of now, Alabama will face three more teams this season that are currently ranked in the AP Top 25. However, after the early loss, the Crimson Tide will likely have to defeat No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship to reach the College Football Playoff.

“Nick Saban has a real challenge to hold this group together,” Finebaum said. “How do you figure out the quarterback situation? He went all in on Jalen Milroe and he got burned.”

The future for Alabama is uncertain. Nonetheless, the future is coming. Alabama will look to regain its footing on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET against South Florida. The game will be broadcast on ABC.