College Football Playoffs

Alabama faces a tougher roadblock than it might appear in its quest to maintain positioning for the College Football Playoff. Sure, Oklahoma has struggled in its first Southeastern Conference season. The Sooners have fired their offensive coordinator, and they have the worst offense in the league. But they have a tough defense, too.

It would be easy for Texas A&M to overlook slumping Auburn. The Tigers must win their final two games to avoid a fourth straight losing season, but they’re only 2 1/2-point underdogs, according to the BetMGM Sportsbook. The Aggies enter the game among league teams in the mix for the playoffs and the SEC Championship Game.

Traditional college football heavyweights Alabama and Oklahoma square off Saturday night in the first regular-season matchup since 2003 between teams that have combined for 25 national titles. The teams have met just once each on the other’s home field, with the Sooners winning that '03 meeting 20-13 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The Auburn Tigers host Louisiana-Monroe hoping to keep their shaky postseason hopes alive. The Tigers must win their last three games to become bowl eligible and avoid a fourth straight losing season. The Warhawks are 5-4 in coach Bryant Vincent's first season but they're trying to snap a three-game losing streak.

The last time a Kalen DeBoer team lost two games by mid-October, his Washington Huskies suddenly went on a tear. DeBoer and No. 9 Alabama would love a repeat after a dominant road win over then-No. 14 LSU. The Crimson Tide get a reprieve from Southeastern Conference play Saturday against FCS team Mercer before resuming the chase for league championship and playoff shots.

Alabama’s chances to make the first ever twelve team playoffs may have received a shot in the arm. The Crimson Tide are now ranked number nine in the AP Top twenty five after thrashing LSU in Death Valley forty two to thirteen.

The annual Alabama-LSU rivalry is Exhibit A this weekend for how the expanded College Football Playoff has changed what constitutes a high-stakes game in November. Both teams have two losses and neither has a top 10 ranking.

The first College Football Playoff rankings are out and now the jockeying for position begins. Two SEC teams just outside the top 12 can enhance their chances of appearing on the bracket. LSU hosts Alabama in a rivalry that heated up over their time together in the old SEC West. LSU is No. 14 in the AP poll and No. 15 in the CFP. Alabama is No. 11 in both.

Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe has returned from a neck injury better than ever. Eboigbe missed most of the 2022 season after getting hurt in practice. After surgery and months of rehab, he is enjoying easily the best season of his five-year career.

Democratic state Sen. Quinton Ross of Montgomery is the new minority leader in the Alabama Senate. The Senate Democratic Caucus announced that it picked…