Dominant starts and an explosive offense place Kalen DeBoer’s squad in the postseason hunt, setting up a high-stakes projected collision with a vengeful Big 12 powerhouse.
The Alabama Crimson Tide are 4-0 and look like one of the more complete teams in the SEC and college football through the month of September.
The Crimson Tide have won every game they've played by double digits. Keelon Russell proved why he won the job, throwing for 1,129 yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions while rushing for 168 yards and three scores.
The running game was a problem last season. Alabama is averaging 4.9 yards per rush this season. Wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams has shown promise through the first four games, recording 333 yards receiving and three touchdowns on 17 receptions.
It's no wonder ESPN's Heather Dinich put Alabama inside the College Football Playoff for her bubble watch. She projects the Crimson Tide to be the No. 8 seed and would host No. 11 BYU in the first round.
The Cougars were projected to make the CFP via winning the Big 12 championship and earning an automatic bid. BYU was snubbed from the CFP last season for Alabama, as the Cougars’ only two losses of the season came against Texas Tech. Unlike the Crimson Tide, BYU was punished severely for being blown out in its conference championship.
The winner between the Cougars and Alabama would face Georgia in the quarterfinals. Alabama would likely be favored to beat BYU in the first round. The quarterfinals matchup would be a tough matchup for third-year head coach Kalen DeBoer and Alabama.
October is when we'll learn about Alabama
Alabama is ranked No. 7 before getting set to play at No. 16 Mississippi State on Saturday. The Bulldogs will be the first ranked team the Crimson Tide have played this fall, but it certainly won't be the last.
After playing Mississippi State, Alabama will close the month with No. 2 Georgia, No. 17 Tennessee, and Texas A&M. To start November, the Crimson Tide will play No. 11 LSU.
The Crimson Tide and Russell will be tested during that stretch, allowing the selection committee to better gauge how good the team is this year.
Alabama should have some margin for error during that span between Saturday and No. 7, but losing more than two games could kill its chances of making the CFP.
LSU and Lane Kiffin already have a loss this season (to Ole Miss in Week 3), which means Alabama's rival will be extra motivated when the two play in Baton Rouge.
