Former Michigan star Jake Butt delivered a sharp and sarcastic critique of the ongoing debate surrounding Alabama’s College Football Playoff (CFP) worthiness following Michigan’s 19-13 victory over the Crimson Tide in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
The Context
The victory capped off an 8-5 season for Michigan and left Alabama with a 9-4 record, snapping their usual dominance. The loss undermined arguments suggesting Alabama deserved a CFP spot over teams like Indiana, which suffered a blowout loss in the first round. Alabama’s defeat gave critics more ammunition to challenge their perceived superiority despite their SEC pedigree.
Jake Butt’s Post
Taking to social media, Butt mocked the narrative favoring Alabama with biting sarcasm:
> “The good thing for Bama is they won the important matchup—the Vegas point spread. It’s not their fault that a depleted Michigan team missing all of its best players beat them today—remember, that game doesn’t matter… it’s the hypothetical that matters, and Bama already won that. Really, Bama is a playoff team. They play in the SEC where it just means more. Also, Bama’s players were ranked higher in high school. And the NFL scouts will love the Alabama players that played today!”
His post dismantled several common arguments used to defend Alabama’s supposed dominance, such as their high school recruiting rankings, SEC conference reputation, and future NFL prospects—none of which, he argued, compensate for their on-field shortcomings.
Alabama’s Struggles
The Crimson Tide’s losses this season to Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Michigan underscore their inconsistency. Despite their history of success, Butt highlighted that rankings, reputations, and hypotheticals don’t win games—actual performance does.
Jake Butt’s Background
Jake Butt played tight end for Michigan from 2013 to 2016 and earned All-American honors during his senior year. Known for his fiery personality, Butt has become a vocal supporter of Michigan football and isn’t afraid to challenge popular narratives in college sports.
The Takeaway
Butt’s post adds a comedic and critical lens to the debate about Alabama’s place in the college football hierarchy. With the season now over, it’s a reminder that games are won on the field—not in hypothetical debates or recruiting rankings.
