Kirk Herbstreit: Alabama getting in CFP over Texas 'worth a discussion' if both teams win out

Thus far in the College Football Playoff rankings, Texas has stayed in front of Alabama. Winning in Tuscaloosa has gone a long way for Steve Sarkisian and his team, debuting at No. 7 and staying there through weeks. Alabama has been at No. 8 and has not moved up despite arguably looking better than Texas over the past few weeks.

Head-to-head is an important metric and one the committee has stuck to. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit believes they could veer away from it on Selection Sunday if they needed to, though. The eye test can play a factor and if Alabama and Texas continue to trend how they have been, a discussion could arise.

“If Alabama keeps trending that way — they have to win out for this to even be a discussion,” Herbstreit said. “I know head-to-head is one metric but it’s not the only metric. I’m assuming Texas is kind of boxing Alabama out. But if you keep winning and bouncing off guard rails and Alabama keeps getting better and better — it’s worth, at the very least, a discussion at the very end.”

Texas has held double-digit leads the past two weeks against Kansas State and TCU. Both of them have evaporated in the fourth quarter to make them a close contest. Closing out games and really finding a way to put out opponents has been an issue on the 40 Acres.

Alabama has been different. Playing well in the second half has been their specialty, especially on the defensive end. While some games might have a close score around halftime, they grow into double-digit victories by the time the clock strikes zero.

ESPN’s Greg McElroy made sure nothing was taken away from Texas when talking about the entirety of their season. Plenty of good wins are still out there, even if it’s not in the most impressive fashion.

“It’s clear that Texas has a remarkable resume even though they haven’t looked super impressive,” McElroy said. “Not super physically imposing. Had a lot of teams come back in second halves. Still a win against a ranked Kansas team, a ranked Kansas State. And got a good win against the No. 8 team and is 9-1 in Alabama.”

Both teams have to win out for this potential resume/head-to-head vs. eye test discussion to become a real thing. Texas would win the Big 12 Championship, with their foe still TBD. Alabama would take down Georgia in the SEC Championship, with the Bulldogs taking over the No. 1 spot on Tuesday night.

Scenarios are flying all over the place but if the final spot comes down to Alabama or Texas, Herbstreit is willing to listen to the Crimson Tide being more deserving.