Alabama managed to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive with a close 27-25 win over South Carolina following a shocking loss to Vanderbilt the previous week. Although two-loss teams are expected to make the 12-team playoff, having losses against unranked teams can hurt a team’s chances. If Alabama had lost to South Carolina, it would have been a significant blow to their postseason aspirations.
In college basketball, wins and losses are categorized into different groups, with Quad 1 wins being the most valuable. Similarly, in college football, not all losses are equal, and Alabama avoided a second consecutive bad loss by beating South Carolina. Despite the victory, there are still tough road games ahead for Alabama against top-20 teams like Tennessee, LSU, and Oklahoma.
Jalen Milroe, Alabama’s quarterback, had a shaky performance against South Carolina, committing three costly turnovers that almost cost the team the game. His mistakes, coupled with defensive vulnerabilities, highlight areas that need improvement to secure a playoff spot. Although Milroe has shown flashes of brilliance, his recent errors have made Alabama more susceptible to losses.
Alabama’s ability to force turnovers has helped offset some of Milroe’s mistakes, but the team needs to address ball security issues going forward. With nine turnovers this season, Alabama must be more careful with the football to avoid jeopardizing their playoff chances. Despite the challenges, Alabama remains in contention for a playoff spot, with key games ahead that will determine their fate.
