Reaction to the latest rankings, with Alabama No. 3, and CFP expansion
Nov 12, 2026
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Christopher Walsh with Alabama Crimson Tide on SI here,
and I've had a lot of people asking me for my reaction
from the college football playoff news this week.
Number one, you know, the rankings,
very controversial rankings this week.
And then number two, the expansion to the 12-team playoff.
I'll start with something that a lot
of people probably aren't noticing.
Yeah, okay, I'm a little surprised
that Alabama's up to number three, but...
I'm a little different on most other college football folks
who have been covering it for years.
I'm actually glad that they're putting more of an emphasis
on strength of schedule because I've been saying for years
the conferences are not alike.
If you're a 9-0-1 conference and it's an easier conference,
you shouldn't get rewarded when another team is playing
a much tougher schedule and maybe has
two losses. If you look at them and say, well,
Team B is better, they should have a better
ranking, then that's the way it should be.
So I'm glad on that aspect that the committee is more
in line with what I was hoping would eventually happen.
And I know that may not be the most
popular thing in a lot of places,
but just because you're undefeated doesn't mean that
you should be playing for a national championship.
Part two of that is the 2014 playoff. I think my
I think my only surprise is that...
They got there this fast.
I knew it was going to happen.
But as someone who graduated from a,
what was then called a 1AA school, I've been watching
the 2014 playoffs for years.
And let's just say I agree with Nick Saban on this one.
I don't think there's 24 teams that should
be playing for the national championship every
year, especially at this level.
Maybe the games will be great.
You know, probably get great ratings, make a lot, make a ton of money.
Is it better for college football?

