The College Football Playoff (CFP) committee has released its first rankings for the 2024 season, marking the beginning of the new 12-team playoff era. Alabama holds the No. 11 position, the highest rank for any two-loss team in the initial standings, as well as in both the AP and Coaches polls this week. The Crimson Tide’s current ranking places them on the edge of the playoff field under this expanded format.
Historically, Alabama has been a dominant presence in the CFP since its inception in 2014, leading with eight appearances and securing three national titles. However, they missed out on playoff spots in 2019 and 2022. This consistency has seen Alabama listed in every CFP ranking release since the first poll, underscoring its longstanding role as a powerhouse in college football.
In this new 12-team structure, the top four conference champions receive automatic bids and a first-round bye, while the remaining eight spots are filled by the highest-ranked teams. Presently, Alabama would qualify as the No. 11 seed, positioning them to face the 6-seed Texas Longhorns in Austin for the first round of the playoff if the season ended today. Additionally, the expanded playoff system mandates that conference champions from the four major conferences are automatically included, alongside the top non-Power Four conference champion, to ensure representation across various leagues.
Alabama’s record includes wins over No. 24 Missouri and No. 3 Georgia, both of which add weight to their resume in the eyes of the committee. This weekend, they face another critical challenge against No. 15 LSU, offering another opportunity to strengthen their playoff standing and move up the ranks.
Here is the full list of the CFP rankings as of November 5, 2024:
1. Oregon (9-0)
2. Ohio State (7-1)
3. Georgia (7-1)
4. Miami (8-0)
5. Texas (7-1)
6. Penn State (7-1)
7. Tennessee (7-1)
8. Indiana (9-0)
9. BYU (8-0)
10. Notre Dame (7-1)
11. Alabama (6-2)
12. Boise State (7-1)
13. SMU (8-1)
14. Texas A&M (7-2)
15. LSU (6-2)
16. Ole Miss (7-2)
17. Iowa State (7-1)
18. Pitt (7-1)
19. Kansas State (7-2)
20. Colorado (6-2)
21. Washington State (7-1)
22. Louisville (6-3)
23. Clemson (6-2)
24. Missouri (6-2)
25. Army (8-0)
This initial CFP ranking sets the stage for a highly competitive end to the regular season as teams jockey for position, and Alabama will look to capitalize on upcoming matchups to secure a place in the first-ever 12-team playoff field.
