Around CFB: Regardless of Iron Bowl result, Tide may take playoff spot

A lot is always at stake when Alabama and Auburn clash in the Iron Bowl.

There is pride. There are bragging rights. Typically, there is first place in the Southeastern Conference West Division and a berth in the conference title game.

But a spot in the four-team College Football Playoff game may not be on the line — at least not for Alabama. Auburn could win the Iron Bowl and the SEC championship and still get bypassed for the CFP by Alabama.

Think that’s impossible? Well, all one has to do is go all the way back to last year to see that it’s very possible.

A year ago one-loss Ohio State fell to two-loss Penn State in the Big Ten East race. Penn State went on to win the Big Ten championship. But the CFB playoff committee selected Ohio State as a playoff participant.

Auburn (9-2) could end up in the same in situation as Penn State. What if the Tigers eke out a close win over Alabama and then beat Georgia in the SEC championship game? Would that guarantee a two-loss Auburn a playoff berth over a one-loss Alabama? History says no.

Some would say Alabama this year and OSU last year aren’t comparable. They’d argue that Ohio State had a better resume last year than Alabama does.

They’d be right, too. Ohio State beat Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Michigan, which were all ranked among the top ten in the final polls. Alabama’s biggest wins are over No. 16 Mississippi State and No. 19 LSU. But Alabama has great history and reputation. That may be enough.

If a one-loss Alabama did get into the playoff over an SEC champion Auburn that would just further prove that brand influences the CFP playoff selection committee.

Of course, there will be no controversy if Alabama defeats Auburn and goes on to win the SEC championship. Then, the question will be which three unbeaten or one-loss teams will join the Tide.

That is unless the committee selects a two-loss Ohio State, which is also a very real possibility if the Buckeyes win the Big Ten.

Heisman leaders

Here are the weekly Heisman ratings based on how I’d vote if the ballot was due this week:

1. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma, QB: His sideline antics drew negative attention, but Mayfield had another solid showing in a 41-3 victory over Kansas. He passed for 257 yards and three touchdowns. That’s not a big deal — especially against Kansas. He didn’t take a step back though. Mayfield now has 3,816 yards and 34 touchdowns.

2. Bryce Love, Stanford, RB: Though slowed by an ankle injury that forced him to miss the fourth quarter, Love still rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown in a 17-14 win over Cal. Love now has the nation’s second-highest rushing total of 1,723 yards and has rushed for 16 touchdowns.

3. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin, RB: The Badger freshman rushed for 132 yards on 19 carries in a 24-10 win over Michigan. Taylor is third in the nation with 1,657 rushing yards and has run for 12 touchdowns.

4. Lamar Jackson, Louisville, QB: Last year’s Heisman winner passed for 270 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 111 and two touchdowns in a 56-10 victory over Syracuse. Jackson leads the nation in total offense with 4,560 yards. He’s thrown for 23 touchdowns and rushed for 16.

5. Jalen Hurts, Alabama, QB: Hurts did nothing to damage his Heisman profile in last week’s blowout victory over Mercer. He completed all seven passes attempted for 180 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran twice for 30 yards. Hurts has passed for 1,828 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 686 yards and nine touchdowns for the nation’s top-ranked team.

Predicted College Football Playoff participants

1. Alabama: The Tide either proves itself or its doubters in the Iron Bowl on Saturday.

2. Miami: The Hurricanes appeared sluggish and even disinterested but still beat Virginia by 16 points.

3. Oklahoma: The Sooners had a big weekend. They beat Kansas, and Oklahoma State lost, so they won’t have a rematch with the Cowboys in the Big 12 championship game.

4. Clemson: A blowout win over The Citadel was a warmup for arch rival South Carolina.

Week Twelve notes

• Need a new coach? Turn to the American Athletic Conference where UCF’s Scott Frost and Memphis’ Mike Norvell are considered two of the nation’s hottest prospects for higher-profile jobs. Also, some wonder if Charlie Strong will be lured away from South Florida after one year, and SMU’s Chad Morris is a strong candidate for better jobs. Navy’s Ken Niumatalolo could probably land a better job if he wanted one.

• Just my opinion, but IF Texas A&M fires Kevin Sumlin and IF the Jimbo Fisher thing doesn’t work out, Morris could be a terrific choice. Based on what he did with Clemson’s offense and quickly turning SMU into a respectable program, I believe he’ll be a successful coach for a big-time program.

• Another guy who should be getting more attention is Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson. He’s had success at Fordham, Richmond, Bowling Green and has attained about as much success as one can at Wake Forest with back-to-back seven-win seasons. The knock on him was an unproductive year as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator in 2008, but there was little offensive talent and Phillip Fulmer seemed uncomfortable with Clawson’s style of play.

• Should Notre Dame defeat Stanford on Saturday, the Irish will be 10-2. Suddenly, Brian Kelly, who reportedly would like to leave South Bend, may look like an attractive option for another program.

• The SEC is 6-6 in games vs. Power Five opponents (and Notre Dame). The conference may finish with a losing record in that regard. This week’s games match Georgia vs. Georgia Tech, South Carolina vs. Clemson, Kentucky vs. Louisville and Florida vs. Florida State. The SEC likely goes 1-3 in those matchups.

• Twenty-one seasons ago, Florida and Florida State clashed in the Sugar Bowl with the national championship on the line. Florida prevailed 52-20. This year the Gators and Seminoles are just vying to see which team can get to five victories. Our friend Mike Huguenin of Gridironnow.com reports that the last time both entered the game with losing records was 1959 when the game was played earlier in the season. The last time both finished with losing records was 1964.