Big-12 Championship fallout: What it means for Alabama, Ohio State in College Football Playoff race

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•12/03/22•

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Christmas might have came early for Alabama and Ohio State. Following No. 3 TCU‘s 31-28 loss to No. 10 Kansas State in the Big-12 Championship, two spots in the College Football Playoffs may have opened up in the past 24 hours.

Currently, the Buckeyes rank one spot ahead of the Tide. After No. 4 USC lost the Pac-12 Championship game to No. 11 Utah Friday night, the Buckeyes theoretically moved into the No. 4 slot, and Alabama could sit at No. 5.

Despite TCU’s overtime loss, there is speculation that the Horned Frogs could still find themselves slotted at No. 4 when it’s all said and done. The Wildcats are a top-10 team, but it might not be likely for the committee to see a one-loss TCU team more attractive than a one-loss Ohio State team or even a two-loss Alabama.

Regardless if the Horned Frogs were to make the field of four despite losing to Kansas State, at least one of the two college football powerhouses is guaranteed to find themselves in the playoffs.

The questions remains, does the CFP committee vote in favor of the Buckeyes – a team whose undefeated season came to an end after they were just blown out by No. 2 Michigan in the season finale last weekend – or an Alabama team that lost its two games by a total of four points?

Let’s not forget, No. 1 Georgia still has to get through the SEC Championship game – a crown that has avoided the Bulldogs since 2017. No. 14 LSU, who was a playoff contender until it’s untimely loss to Texas A&M on the road last week, isn’t an opponent that you can overlook as the Tigers have a win over Alabama this season. Georgia is in regardless, but the rankings remain subject to change. The same goes for Michigan.

At the end of the day, it’s either TCU, Alabama or Ohio State looking to secure the final two spots. Kansas State just helped the Crimson Tide and Buckeyes’ case, but we won’t know the final implications of TCU’s loss until the CFP selection show, which will air on ESPN at noon ET Sunday afternoon.