ESPN insider details path for College Football Playoff committee keeping Miami out if Alabama loses vs. Georgia

The first half of Saturday’s SEC Championship could not have been more one-sided. Georgia dominated Alabama from start to finish, in all three phases. From effective drives led by Gunner Stockton to not letting Ty Simpson get comfortable. A blocked punt is playing a huge role in this one too, letting the Bulldogs enter the locker room up 14-0.

Of course, there are two more quarters to be played. But if Alabama continues on the trend, right on the College Football Playoff bubble, what could be the implications? ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg believes we might see another flip-flop between the Crimson Tide and Notre Dame, potentially saving the committee from a tough decision.

“If committee flipped Alabama and Notre Dame for no good reason last week, what’s to stop them for flipping them back if the Tide are blown out?” Rittenberg asked via X. “Could then justify keeping Miami out. Not saying it’s right but …”

Tuesday night brought a curious move in the penultimate rankings. Alabama moved ahead of Notre Dame despite only winning by seven on the road against Auburn. Notre Dame played quite well itself, blowing out rival Stanford on the road. At the time, many wondered if the committee was setting itself up for tough choices on Selection Sunday.

Due to BYU losing in the Big 12 Championship game, there is a world where Notre Dame is right next to Miami in the final rankings. After spending multiple weeks avoiding the conversation, we would finally discover if the head-to-head matchup from Week 1 matters. Although that likely requires Alabama to hoist the SEC Championship trophy here in a few hours. Otherwise, Rittenberg’s scenario comes into play as well.

Some wondered why Alabama even moved up in the rankings in the first place. CFP committee chair Hunter Yurachek explained on Tuesday, saying a specific decision made by head coach Kalen DeBoer to give them the nod.

“Alabama went on the road in a rivalry game, looked really good – especially in the first half, getting up 17-0, ran the ball well. Auburn came back at them. They had a great, gutsy call on 4th and 2 late in the third quarter to get a touchdown and then, got a turnover late in that game. I think that was enough to change the minds of a couple of committee members to push Alabama up ahead of Notre Dame in this week’s rankings.”