The College Football Playoff committee released its initial CFP Rankings, with the Alabama Crimson Tide slotted in at No. 11 in the 12-team playoff field.
The Tide trail fellow Southeastern Conference members Georgia, who gets a bye due to them leading the SEC, followed by Texas and Tennessee ranked 2, 5 and 7, respectively.
Oregon (1), Miami (4), and BYU (9) control the three remaining first round byes due to them leading their respective power four conferences.
Being in a playoff spot is huge for the Crimson Tide program as it looks to continue its push for the playoffs despite of having two losses before November, something the program has not experienced since the 2007 season.
In spite of its CFP ranking, the Crimson Tide still trail Texas A&M, LSU and Ole Miss in the conference rankings; meaning that the Tide's chances to clinch a playoff spot via an SEC championship victory are unlikely.
Nonetheless, due to their current ranking, Alabama remains in control of its own destiny, simply needing to win their remaining regular season games to clinch a playoff birth.
The Tide will travel to Baton Rouge, La. to take on their final ranked opponent of the year, an LSU team with a 6-2 record in what will be an elimination game for both teams with the loser dropping to three losses and all but certainly falling out of the playoff race.
With a win, Alabama's playoff chances jump from 56% to 79% according to the ESPN's Field Power Index model, compared to a loss which would drop their chances to a measly 15%.