Alabama’s Playoff Hopes Surge as Betting Odds Flip Dramatically
It’s been a rollercoaster of a season for Alabama football fans, but Monday brought a major twist in the Crimson Tide’s postseason hopes. After a dramatic shift in betting odds, Alabama has gone from being a long shot to a favorite to make the College Football Playoff (CFP). That’s right—what seemed like a long climb back into contention now feels like a very real possibility.
Let’s break it down. Alabama started Monday as a +105 underdog to make the CFP at ESPN BET. By the end of the day, those odds had flipped, and the Crimson Tide were sitting pretty as a -200 favorite. That’s a massive swing in just a matter of hours, and it’s got fans buzzing about what could be a miraculous postseason run.
How Did We Get Here?
Alabama’s season has been anything but smooth. The Crimson Tide currently sit at 9-3, a record that’s respectable but not exactly what fans in Tuscaloosa are used to. Last week, Alabama dropped to No. 13 in the CFP rankings after a shocking loss to unranked Oklahoma. It was a gut punch for a team that’s used to dominating the college football landscape.
But as they say, it’s not about how you start—it’s about how you finish. Alabama bounced back in a big way on Saturday with a win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl. While they didn’t make it to the SEC championship game, that victory seems to have reignited their playoff hopes.
What’s Next for the Crimson Tide?
The next big moment for Alabama comes on Tuesday when the latest CFP rankings are released (7 p.m. ET, ESPN). That will give us a clearer picture of where the Tide stand heading into the final stretch. Then, on Sunday, the CFP selection committee will reveal the final 12-team field after this weekend’s conference championship games.
Here’s how the CFP field will be determined:
- The top five conference champions in the CFP rankings will earn automatic bids.
- The next seven highest-ranked at-large teams will round out the field.
For Alabama, the path to the playoff isn’t entirely in their hands. They’ll need some help from other teams, but the odds are now in their favor. And let’s be honest—when has Alabama ever shied away from a challenge?
Other Teams to Watch
Alabama isn’t the only team fighting for a spot in the CFP. Two other bubble teams, SMU and Clemson, will face off in the ACC championship game on Saturday. The winner of that game will earn an automatic bid, and an SMU victory could actually help Alabama’s chances. SMU is currently a 2.5-point favorite over Clemson, and they’re listed at -240 to make the playoff at ESPN BET.
Meanwhile, other teams like South Carolina (+500), Miami (+600), and Ole Miss (+2500) are still in the mix, but they’re considered long shots at this point. For Alabama fans, the focus will be on how the Tide’s resume stacks up against these other contenders.
Jalen Milroe’s Historic Season
One bright spot for Alabama this season has been the play of quarterback Jalen Milroe. On Saturday, Milroe scored his 20th rushing touchdown of the season, joining an elite group of quarterbacks who have reached that milestone. It was also his fourth career game with three or more rushing touchdowns, the most by an SEC quarterback in the past 25 years. Talk about making history!
Milroe’s dual-threat ability has been a game-changer for Alabama, and he’ll need to keep delivering if the Tide want to make a deep playoff run. With his leadership and the team’s newfound momentum, anything feels possible.
The Final Countdown
As we head into the final week of the college football regular season, all eyes will be on the CFP rankings and the conference championship games. For Alabama, the path to the playoff is narrow but not impossible. The betting odds have spoken, and the Crimson Tide are now the favorites to claim one of those coveted 12 spots.
So, will Alabama complete their comeback and make the CFP? Or will their season end in heartbreak? One thing’s for sure: it’s going to be an exciting finish. Buckle up, college football fans—this ride isn’t over yet.
Originally Written by: David Purdum
