Alabama
Opinion: Alabama making playoff wouldn’t be a farce; just more of the same unwritten rule
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The College Football Playoff committee publicly lists only four specific criteria it uses to rank teams. That list includes strength of schedule and head-to-head competition.
But a fifth unwritten nugget has become apparent throughout the playoff’s existence: Alabama always, always, always will receive the benefit of the doubt.
You didn’t really think the committee would embrace Miami, Mississippi or South Carolina over Alabama for the final spot in this 12-team bracket, did you? That Script “A” casts a spell on the committee. The Alabama brand endures, even after it loses 24-3 to an opponent that finished 6-6.
Of course Alabama would become the first three-loss team admitted into the 12-team playoff. Who else would it be?
Mississippi, with its lavish history that includes never appearing in the SEC championship game? Not when a storied blue blood like Alabama shares Ole Miss’ 9-3 record.
Sorry, Rebels, you looked awfully good smashing Georgia and South Carolina. And you do use the script font on your helmets, but there’s no “A” in Ole Miss.
Just last year, the committee chose 12-1 Alabama over 13-0 Florida State. That became the only time an undefeated Power Four champion got left out of the four-team playoff.
And in 2017, Alabama joined Ohio State as the only teams from a conference to ever qualify for the playoff without winning their division. That Alabama squad went on to win the national championship, giving future CFP committees permission to keep awarding the Tide the benefit of the doubt.
This latest feat would be the Tide’s most impressive, reaching the playoff despite losing to two 6-6 teams, one of which is Vanderbilt.
ACC title game still matters to CFP bracket
Alabama hasn’t quite pulled this off. The committee, during Tuesday’s rankings update, slotted the Tide to the 11 seed, earmarking for Alabama the final at-large spot. The ink is not dry.
The committee could redirect that final at-large bid to SMU or Boise State if either loses its conference championship game to bid-stealing Clemson or UNLV, respectively.
SMU ranks three spots ahead of Alabama; Boise State sits one spot ahead of the Tide.
SMU or Boise State can only really feel safe, though, if they win their conference crowns and capture the accompanying auto bids. Forget the rankings: Do you really trust that if SMU loses to Clemson in the ACC championship game, the committee would favor the Mustangs over Alabama?
Can’t you just hear CFP committee chairman Warde Manuel explaining the group’s pick of Alabama over SMU? While the committee respects SMU’s 11 victories, let’s not forget that just a few weeks ago, Alabama destroyed Mercer.
Alabama getting playoff bid wouldn’t be like last season’s farce
A year ago, Alabama farcically qualified over Florida State, the ACC’s undefeated champion, because the Seminoles’ quarterback got hurt, and the committee’s crystal ball said FSU wouldn’t hold up in the playoff without its quarterback, even though it had just beaten Florida on the road without its quarterback.
In contrast, this is no farce. It’s just a show of Alabama getting the crimson rose to emerge from a bubble full of flawed résumés.
Legitimate reasons exist to anoint Alabama as the least-bad choice. Listen to Manuel spell out the rationale for putting Alabama ahead of 10-2 Miami.
“Alabama is 3-1 against current top-25 teams, and Miami is 0-1,” Manuel explained on ESPN. “Alabama is 6-1 against teams above .500, and Miami is 4-2.”
Can’t argue that. Alabama wouldn’t be a good choice, because no good choice exists. Miami would be a worse choice. Alabama’s strength of schedule outranks that of Miami and Ole Miss, the two teams directly behind Alabama in the rankings.
The Rebels lost on their home field to Kentucky, the SEC’s second-worst team, and Miami lacks a signature victory. That’s the thing about expanding the playoff from four to 12 teams. The more teams you add, the worse an at-large playoff résumé looks, and the better a 9-3 blue blood looks.
Of the mangled collection of bubble teams, I would have chosen Ole Miss, by virtue of its dominant victories against Georgia and South Carolina. No playoff team would want to play the Rebels when they’re at their best, but they had their chances, and they blew enough of them, so dry your tears.
How about another 9-3 team, South Carolina? Well, the Gamecocks lost to Alabama and got blown out by Ole Miss, so forget that.
Last year, the committee snubbed a deserving, undefeated team. This year, it’s difficult to vigorously argue that anyone is truly getting snubbed, in the purest sense of the word.
Anyway, you had to see this coming.
Although you won’t find it listed in the CFP rules, because it’s unwritten, by now we all understand: If the committee can find any reason to select Alabama, it will.
Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer. Subscribe to read all of his columns.
Marcus Jones returned a punt 94 yards for a touchdown to send the New England Patriots on their way to a 33-15 victory over the New York Giants on Monday night.
With its 10th consecutive victory, New England became the first NFL team to reach 11 wins in the 2025 season.
Jones’ touchdown return came off a 54-yard punt by New York’s Jamie Gillan and put the Patriots ahead 10-0 with 5:17 left in the first quarter as they raced to a 30-7 halftime lead.
The punt return was the 75th of Jones’ career, qualifying the former Enterprise High School and Troy standout for the NFL’s career record book, and his 14.63-yards-per-return average went to No. 1 in league history.
Jones replaced George McAfee, who averaged 12.78 yards on 112 punt returns for the Chicago Bears from 1940 through 1950, with three years missed for military service in World War II.
Later in the game, Jones had punt returns of 17 and 13 yards, bringing his all-time best average to 14.64 yards.
Only twice in NFL history has a player from an Alabama high school or college had a longer punt-return touchdown than Jones did on Monday night.
On Nov. 24, 1968, San Diego Chargers cornerback Speedy Duncan from Druid High School in Tuscaloosa returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown in a 37-15 loss to the New York Jets in an AFL game.
On Jan. 1, 2017, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill from West Alabama returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown in a 37-27 victory over the Chargers.
The third punt-return touchdown of Jones’ career was his second of 2025. Jones returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown during a 42-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 28.
Jones’ Monday-night effort tied the franchise record for the longest punt-return touchdown, equaling Julian Edelman’s 94-yarder in a 38-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 2, 2011.
New England quarterback Drake Maye completed 24-of-31 passes for 282 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions on Monday night.
In addition to Jones, who started at cornerback for the Patriots, seven other players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the New York-New England game:
- Christian Barmore (Alabama) started at defensive tackle for the Patriots. Barmore made five tackles.
- Carlton Davis (Auburn) started at cornerback for the Patriots. Davis made five tackles, recorded one tackle for loss and broke up two passes.
- Patriots tight end CJ Dippre (Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive.
- Cor’Dale Flott (Saraland) started at cornerback for the Giants. Flott made five tackles and recorded one tackle for loss.
- Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (Dadeville, Alabama) made two tackles on defense, recorded one tackle for loss and had one tackle on special teams.
- Giants offensive linebacker Evan Neal (Alabama) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
- Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Central-Phenix City) made one tackle.
- Patriots safety Dell Pettus (Sparkman, Troy) did not record any stats.
- Darius Slayton (Auburn) started at wide receiver for the Giants. Slayton had two receptions for 41 yards and one touchdown. Slayton’s first touchdown of the 2025 season came on a 30-yard pass from quarterback Jaxson Dart as New York reduced New England’s lead to 17-7 with 12:46 left in the first half. Slayton also caught a 2-point conversion pass after New York’s second touchdown.
- Patriots wide receiver Jeremiah Webb (South Alabama) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
- Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (Hueytown) dressed for the game but did not play. Winston had started the previous two games and thrown for 567 yards in a 27-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 16 and a 34-27 overtime loss to the Detroit Lions on Nov. 23. Winston returned to the sideline with the return of rookie QB Jaxson Dart from a concussion.
FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE
New England (11-2) does not play against until Dec. 14 as the Patriots enter their bye week. New England will return against the Buffalo Bills at noon CST Dec. 14 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
New York (2-11) also is set for its open date in Week 14 of the NFL season. The Giants return against the Washington Commanders at noon Dec. 14 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Alabama football 2026 recruiting class overview as early signing day nears
The Tuscaloosa News’ Colin Gay gives his highlights of Alabama football’s 2026 recruiting class as the start of the early signing period nears.
As Alabama football prepares for an SEC championship, the Crimson Tide is also on the cusp of securing the next wave of its future.
The start of the early signing period in college football kicks off Wednesday, Dec. 3, and players like five-star running back Ezavier Crowell, five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin and four-star wide receiver Cederian Morgan are set to officially sign with the Crimson Tide.
Here’s a look at where Alabama’s 2026 recruiting class stands as the early signing period nears.
Alabama football recruiting needs 2026
Alabama has secured much of its 2026 recruiting class, even if the Crimson Tide has had a few recent fireworks in the 2026 class.
The Crimson Tide lost a commitment from four-star offensive lineman Sam Utu less than two weeks before signing day. Alabama secured a commitment from College of San Mateo offensive tackle Tyrell Miller to join Chris Booker, Bear Fretwell and Jared Doughty up front. And on Sunday, Nov. 30, Zyan Gibson wavered in his commitment to the Crimson Tide before releasing a statement saying he was standing firm, citing “miscommunication” as his reason for reportedly leaving the class.
But the headline names of the 2026 class are set in stone, players like Griffin, Crowell, Morgan, five-star safety Jireh Edwards and five-star cornerback Jorden Edmonds, who are locked into what Alabama is building in 2026.
Alabama football recruiting rankings
As the start of the early signing period nears, Alabama has the third-ranked class per 247Sports’ composite rankings behind No. 1 USC and No. 2 Georgia.
Alabama is one of three classes that have secured four five-star players in the 2026 class along with Oregon and Notre Dame. The average rating for each player in Alabama’s 2026 class is the third-highest in college football behind Oregon and LSU.
Alabama football 2026 recruiting class
- Xavier Griffin: 5-star linebacker, Gainesville, Georgia
- Jorden Edmonds: 5-star cornerback, Marietta, Georgia
- Ezavier Crowell: 5-star running back, Jackson, Alabama
- Jireh Edwards: 5-star safety, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
- Cederian Morgan: 4-star wide receiver, Alexander City, Alabama
- Jett Thomalla: 4-star quarterback, Omaha, Nebraska
- Mack Sutter: 4-star tight end, Dunlap, Illinois
- Jamarion Matthews: 4-star defensive lineman, Gainesville, Georgia
- Nolan Wilson: 4-star defensive lineman, Picayune, Mississippi
- Chris Booker: 4-star offensive lineman, Atlanta, Georgia
- Jared Doughty: 4-star offensive lineman, Atlanta, Georgia
- Corey Howard: 3-star defensive lineman, Valdosta, Georgia
- Rihyael Kelley: 3-star safety, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Kamhariyan Johnson: 4-star defensive lineman, Muscle Shoals, Alabama
- Javari Barnett: 3-star running back, Tampa, Florida
- Owen Cabell: 3-star wide receiver, Nashville, Tennessee
- Bear Fretwell: 3-star offensive lineman, Brooklet, Georgia
- JJ Finch: 3-star defensive lineman, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Brian Williams Jr.: 3-star wide receiver, Orlando, Florida
- Tayden Kaawa: 3-star quarterback, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Zay Hall: 3-star linebacker, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Tyrell Miller; College of San Mateo, Union City, California
When is early signing day?
The start of the early signing period is Wednesday, Dec. 3 and lasts through Friday, Dec. 5
The regular signing period begins Feb. 4, 2026.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
UPDATE — Zyan Gibson took to social media to dispute initial reports of his decommitment.
His statement read, “Earlier today, a post was shared about my decommitment. I want to clarify that this message was the result of a miscommunication. I’m standing by my pledge I made to Bama. I will be signing with Bama on Dec. 3rd. At this point I will not be doing any interviews. Roll Tide.”
Earlier today, a post was shared about my decommitment. I want to clarify that this message was the result of a miscommunication. I’m standing by my pledge I made to Bama. I will be signing with Bama on Dec. 3rd. At this point I will not be doing any interviews. Roll Tide!!
— Zyan “z7evenn” Gibson (@ZyanGibson) December 1, 2025
After a strong weekend on the recruiting trail, consisting of two new commitments for the 2026 class, Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide staff received a bit of bad news late Sunday night.
4-Star cornerback Zyan Gibson, an in-state prospect from Gadsden, Alabama, officially announced his decommitment from the Tide on November 30, according to Hayes Fawcett of Rivals. Gibson was Alabama’s earliest commit of the class, originally making his decision in December of 2024.
🚨BREAKING🚨 4-star CB Zyan Gibson has decommitted from Alabama, @Hayesfawcett3 reports.
Read: https://t.co/DmUvw7qZRc pic.twitter.com/oJi3KLTepW
— Rivals (@Rivals) December 1, 2025
Prior to his original commitment, Gibson held offers from the likes of Tennessee, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and many more. He took visits to both Tennessee and Ole Miss in June of this year, but has since made four return trips to Tuscaloosa this fall.
The 4-Star prospect had been expected to be a member of Alabama’s early signing group, but will now likely be making his pledge elsewhere. While it is unclear yet where Gibson is expected to commit, Tennessee is his second most visited school behind Alabama, so early indicators point to the Volunteers as a potential landing spot.
The Alabama native is a somewhat undersized prospect compared to what Alabama has recently targeted at the position as he stands just 6-foot, 174 lbs. Despite his smaller stature, Gibson is a speedy cornerback that is sticky in coverage.
He is ranked as the No. 5 player at his position in the nation, and the No. 4 player in the state, according to 247Sports’ composite ranking.
Although it is certainly a loss for the class, missing out on such a high caliber talent, Alabama still holds commitments from three other defensive backs, all of which are more in line with the body type that the current Crimson Tide staff has targeted since taking over.
- CB Zyan Gibson, 6-foot, 174. lbs. – Gadsden, Alabama (Committed 12/24/2024)
- CB Jorden Edmonds, 6-foot-2, 175 lbs. – Marietta, Georgia (Committed 03/26/2025)
- EDGE Jamarion Matthews, 6-foot-2, 240 lbs. – Gainesville, Georgia (Committed 02/21/2025)
- EDGE Kamhariyan Johnson, 6-foot-4, 260 lbs. – Muscle Shoals, Alabama (Committed 04/12/2025)
- OL Chris Booker, 6-foot-4, 285 lbs. – Atlanta, Georgia (Committed 02/20/2025)
- QB Jett Thomalla, 6-foot-3, 205 lbs. – Omaha, Nebraska (Committed 06/17/2025)
- DL JJ Finch, 6-foot-3, 260 lbs. – Indianapolis, Indiana (Committed 06/22/2025)
- RB Javari Barnett, 5-foot-11, 205 lbs. – Tampa Bay, Florida (Committed 06/23/2025)
- S Rihyael Kelley, 6-foot-3, 180 lbs. – Cincinnati, Ohio (Committed 06/23/2025)
- SN Eli Deutsch, 6-foot-2, 225 lbs. – Franklin, Wisconsin (Committed 06/24/2025)
- RB Ezavier Crowell, 5-foot-10, 210 lbs. – Jackson, Alabama (Committed 06/26/2025)
- TE Mack Sutter, 6-foot-5, 230 lbs. – Dunlap, Illinois (Committed 06/26/2025)
- LB Zay Hall, 6-foot-2, 222 lbs. – Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Committed 06/27/2025)
- LB Xavier Griffin, 6-foot-3, 200 lbs. – Gainesville, Georgia (Committed 06/29/2025)
- WR Owen Cabell, 6-foot-2, 201 lbs. – Nashville, Tennessee (Committed 06/30/2025)
- WR Brian Williams, Jr., 6-foot-4, 185 lbs. – Lake Mary, Florida (Committed 07/01/2025)
- WR Cederian Morgan, 6-foot-4, 220 lbs – Alexander City, Alabama (Committed 07/02/2025)
- DL Nolan Wilson, 6-foot-4, 250 lbs. – Picayune, Mississippi (Committed 07/04/2025)
- S Jireh Edwards, 6-foot-2, 210 lbs. – Baltimore, Maryland (Committed 07/05/2025)
- QB Tayden Kaawa, 6-foot-5, 235 lbs. – Orem, Utah (Committed 07/22/2025)
- OT Bear Fretwell, 6-foot-6, 295 lbs. – Brooklet, Georgia (Committed 07/25/25)
- OT Jared Doughty, 6-foot-5, 300 lbs. – Atlanta, Georgia (Committed 10/05/2025)
- EDGE Corey Howard, 6-foot-6, 245 lbs. – Valdosta, Georgia (Committed 10/19/2025)
- OL Tyrell Miller, 6-foot-5, 305 lbs. – College of San Mateo (Committed 11/29/2025)
- TE Jude Cascone, 6-foot-2, 225 lbs. – Marietta, Georgia (Committed 11/30/2025)
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