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Ohio State Football: What an Alabama loss means for OSU and Michigan

By Blake Biscardi

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 26: (R-L) Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines shake hands on the field prior to their game at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 26: (R-L) Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines shake hands on the field prior to their game at Ohio Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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TUSCALOOSA, AL – SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on during the game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL – SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks on during the game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Analyzing what an Alabama loss would mean for the Ohio State football team’s and the Michigan Wolverines’ playoff hopes in the eyes of the committee.

The College Football Playoff Selection Committee released its second edition of the rankings Tuesday night. Programs like Ohio State and UCF were disappointed, while West Virginia moved within striking distance. Alabama checked in at No. 1 as expected, but seemingly light years ahead of everyone else, even Clemson.

Michigan and Ohio State appeared at No. 4 and No. 10 respectively, yet some are debating whether or not they control their own destiny. Regardless of if they do or do not, what if Alabama loses to Georgia?

Based on what the committee has been saying, it appears there is a very real possibility the Big Ten (East) Champion would get left out in an encore of last year. Just to be on the safe side, the two rivals should be rooting for the Tide. But what happens to Ohio State and Michigan if Alabama loses?

Scenario – Alabama loses to Georgia

In the unlikely event Alabama somehow stumbles in Atlanta and does not win the SEC for the second year in a row, fasten your seatbelts for some spirited debates. The committee has clearly rated Alabama very highly and has essentially elevated them into their own league.

The Tide recently blanked the Tigers by twenty-nine points in supposedly one of the toughest environments in college football. To add to the storyline, the game was at night and Alabama did not even allow 200 yards of offense. Despite the ugly loss, LSU only fell four spots in the rankings to No. 7.

Leaving Alabama out of the playoff seems like an idea from outer space this year based on what the committee’s first two rankings have told us. Under the scenario the Tide loses the SEC Championship game, I believe it will come down to Notre Dame and the Big Ten (East) Champion.

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