Alabama suffers their worse Bowl loss in its history

Until playoff round 1 of the 2025 CFP Playoffs, Alabama's worst bowl loss by margin of defeat is a 32-point blowout, occurring in the 1972 Orange Bowl where they lost 38–6 to Nebraska.  Today Indiana destroyed Alabama 38-3.  Indiana's last bowl game win was in the 1991 Copper Bowl, where they defeated Baylor 24-0, marking their most recent postseason victory before recent struggles. 

Should Alabama have been in the playoffs in the first place?

The Case Against Alabama's Inclusion in the 2025 College Football Playoff

The 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) selection process has once again sparked heated debate, with the Alabama Crimson Tide's inclusion at the No. 9 seed standing out as particularly contentious. While the expanded 12-team format aims to reward the nation's top programs, Alabama's berth feels like a relic of outdated biases rather than a merit-based decision. With an 11-3 record and three notable losses, the Tide's resume simply doesn't stack up against several snubbed teams, raising questions about the selection committee's priorities and potential SEC favoritism.

Alabama's season under head coach Kalen DeBoer was solid but far from dominant. The Tide finished 7-1 in SEC play, securing wins against strong opponents like Georgia (24-21) and 

However, their losses tell a damning story. A shocking defeat to a struggling Florida State team early in the year highlighted vulnerabilities, as FSU was widely regarded as one of the weakest Power Four.

 This was compounded by a blowout loss in the SEC Championship Game to Georgia, where Alabama fell by 21 points—a performance that should have dropped them from contention..

 Yet, the committee kept them at No. 9, ignoring the embarrassment and prioritizing brand name over on-field results.

Compare this to the teams left out, such as Notre Dame and BYU, both of which boasted stronger cases. Notre Dame, an independent powerhouse, finished with fewer losses and a more consistent body of work, including quality wins that demonstrated playoff readiness..

 BYU, meanwhile, suffered a conference title loss but by a margin that didn't compare to Alabama's drubbing, and their overall resume included impressive non-conference victories..

Even teams like Texas, Vanderbilt, and Duke were cited as more deserving, with better win-loss ratios or fewer head-scratching  defeats.

 The committee's chair defended the choice by emphasizing Alabama's strength of schedule, but this rings hollow when juxtaposed against Notre Dame's rigorous slate and BYU's undefeated regular season run.

Critics, including analysts like Nicole Auerbach and Robert Griffin III, have accused the committee of "SEC bias," pointing to Alabama's selection as evidence of preferential treatment for the conference.

This isn't the first time—Alabama earned a controversial bid just two years prior, underscoring a pattern that undermines the playoff's integrity.

 In a system meant to crown the best, rewarding a three-loss team over more consistent performers sets a dangerous precedent.

Ultimately, Alabama's inclusion dilutes the CFP's credibility. The playoff should celebrate excellence, not legacy. By snubbing teams like Notre Dame and BYU, the committee prioritized perception over performance, leaving fans to wonder if true merit will ever prevail.