In response to SMU’s crushing defeat by Penn State in the CFP, Alabama football fans say the committee made a mistake.

The College Football Playoff (CFP) has always been a source of controversy and debate. Every year, teams and fans alike scrutinize the selection committee’s decisions, questioning why certain teams are chosen, why others are left out, and whether the rankings truly reflect the best teams in the country. The 2024 season has proven no different, with Alabama football fans voicing their frustration after SMU (Southern Methodist University) was selected for the CFP only to suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of Penn State. This outcome has sparked an outcry among Alabama fans, many of whom believe the committee made a serious mistake in choosing SMU over the Crimson Tide.

The Selection Process and Its Controversies

Every year, the College Football Playoff committee convenes to determine the four teams that will compete for a national championship. The selection process is meant to take into account a variety of factors, including a team’s overall record, strength of schedule, head-to-head matchups, conference championships, and more. However, as history has shown, the committee’s decision-making is far from perfect, often leaving fans questioning the integrity of the process.

This year, the selection committee’s decision to include SMU in the playoff field raised eyebrows among many fans, particularly those from Alabama. Alabama, despite finishing with an impressive record, was snubbed for a spot in favor of SMU, a team that many felt did not have the same level of talent or quality of wins as the Crimson Tide. With Alabama’s strong season and the competitive nature of the SEC, many believed that the committee had made a grave mistake by passing on them in favor of the Mustangs.

Alabama fans, in particular, felt that their team had done enough to earn a spot in the CFP, and the selection of SMU over Alabama only fueled their frustration. The idea that a team from a non-Power Five conference, like SMU, would be included in the playoff over a perennial powerhouse like Alabama seemed absurd to many Crimson Tide supporters. Their anger and disbelief reached a boiling point when SMU faced Penn State in the CFP semifinals.

SMU vs. Penn State: The Crushing Defeat

The matchup between SMU and Penn State was billed as an exciting contest between a team looking to prove it deserved its place in the playoff and a well-established program hoping to continue its pursuit of a national championship. The game, however, ended up being far less competitive than many expected. Penn State, a formidable Big Ten team with a strong defense and a balanced offensive attack, dominated SMU from start to finish, winning in a one-sided affair that highlighted the stark difference in talent and experience between the two teams.

For Alabama fans, watching SMU’s crushing defeat was the final straw. Many felt vindicated in their belief that the committee had made a mistake by selecting SMU over the Crimson Tide. Penn State’s victory over the Mustangs only underscored the notion that SMU, despite its strong season, was simply not at the same level as the top teams from Power Five conferences like the SEC. To many Alabama fans, the game was a clear indication that SMU did not belong in the playoff, while their own team had been unjustly overlooked.

The Alabama Case: A Strong Resume

To understand the full extent of the frustration among Alabama fans, it is essential to take a closer look at the Crimson Tide’s season and what they accomplished. Alabama entered the 2024 season with high expectations, and the team largely lived up to them. With a potent offense led by quarterback Jalen Milroe, who had developed into one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football, Alabama boasted an impressive record in one of the toughest conferences in the nation, the SEC.

The SEC is widely regarded as the most competitive conference in college football, with teams like Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee constantly challenging for national prominence. Alabama’s schedule was loaded with tough opponents, and the Crimson Tide had proven themselves capable of competing with the best of the best. They had marquee wins over high-ranking teams like Texas and Ole Miss, showcasing their ability to dominate on both sides of the ball. Despite a loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship, many fans felt that Alabama’s overall resume was still worthy of a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Comparing Alabama’s season to that of SMU, it becomes clear why Alabama fans felt snubbed. SMU, while having an excellent season, had played in a less competitive conference and lacked the same caliber of opponents as Alabama. The Mustangs had some impressive wins but did not face the same level of adversity that Alabama did throughout the regular season. SMU’s victory over a few notable opponents could not match Alabama’s consistent success against top-tier teams in the SEC, leading many to believe that the committee had placed too much weight on a perceived “fairytale” story of a non-Power Five team making the playoff.

The Impact of the Committee’s Decision

The decision to include SMU in the College Football Playoff, despite the team’s crushing loss to Penn State, raises important questions about the playoff system and the criteria used to select teams. While it is clear that SMU had an impressive season, it is also evident that their inclusion in the playoff was largely due to their undefeated record and strong performance in a weaker conference, rather than their ability to compete at the same level as the teams from Power Five conferences.

For many fans, this situation underscores a flaw in the current playoff format. Alabama’s exclusion in favor of SMU highlights the difficulties inherent in determining the “best” teams when it comes to the selection process. Should the committee prioritize the strength of schedule and the level of competition a team faces, or should it focus on win-loss records and conference championships? This is a question that continues to divide college football fans, with some arguing that the current system places too much emphasis on conference affiliation rather than actual talent.

Moreover, Alabama’s exclusion has fueled calls for a larger playoff field, one that would allow more teams from different conferences to compete for a national championship. Many fans, particularly those from non-Power Five conferences, feel that the current four-team playoff format is too exclusive and that it fails to reward deserving teams from smaller conferences. Expanding the playoff would give teams like SMU a chance to prove themselves against the best in the country and reduce the chance of controversial selections.