Kirk Herbstreit, Joey Galloway discuss Alabama being ranked No. 2 in CFP rankings

Everybody’s favorite Tuesday night tradition returned with the inaugural release of the 2021 College Football Playoff rankings. There were some surprises throughout the top 25, but none greater than Alabama being placed at No. 2 by the committee.

Losing to Texas A&M on the road in October was thought to have made the Crimson Tide a team looking from the outside in. With a ranking inside the top two, ESPN’s Joey Galloway thinks the committee is leaving the door open for Alabama if they lose a close game in the SEC championship.

“Having them at No. 2, if they win out, that still opens the door to the possibility of them not falling outside of the top four with a close loss to Georgia,” said Galloway. “I don’t agree that Alabama sitting at No. 2 is a foregone conclusion if they play a close game against Georgia. How far do they fall?”

Galloway went on to look at Michigan’s loss to Michigan State as an example. The Wolverines debuted at No. 7, ahead of undefeated Oklahoma and Wake Forest.

“We just watched Michigan not fall very far losing to No.3 in Michigan State,” he said. “I understand what you’re about to say. Alabama has received more respect in this poll than I thought they would after watching the second half against Florida, after losing to a Texas A&M team that had lost two games in a row and didn’t look very good.”

Even though he questioned the committee’s decision, the ESPN analyst said he has “a ton of respect” for Alabama’s team.

Kirk Herbstreit gives his take on Alabama

Kirk Herbstreit has the opposite side of opinion. He says there is no need to worry about a two-loss Alabama team getting into the playoff. Everything is going to sort itself out.

According to him, no matter where Alabama was originally ranked, the SEC Championship will decide if they and Georgia get in.

“So for the teams looking at the two teams from the SEC and you’re panicking — don’t,” said Herbstreit. The reason you should panic, it would be the same reason if Alabama was at five, or four, or three. If they beat [UGA], they are both in. No matter what happens, it comes down to that game in Atlanta.”

Before making it to the SEC Championship game, Alabama still has four games remaining against LSU, New Mexico State, Arkansas, and No. 13 Auburn in the Iron Bowl.

Getting to face Georgia would set up one of the most anticipated college football matchups in recent memory. The feeling of a playoff quarterfinal would be present between the potential two best teams in the country.