Alabama Falls to No. 10 as Tulane Breaks In, Texas Eliminated in CFP Rankings

When the College Football Playoff Committee released its third rankings on November 18, 2024, the landscape of the 12-team playoff field shifted violently. The University of Texas was officially out — toast, as analysts put it. The University of Alabama tumbled six spots to No. 10, suddenly clinging to the last at-large bid like a climber on a cliff’s edge. And in came the Tulane Green Wave, the Group of Six representative with a résumé no one saw coming. This wasn’t just a ranking update. It was a reckoning.

Alabama’s Descent: From Contender to Casualty

The Alabama Crimson Tide entered Week 13 with hopes of a first-round bye. They had an 8-2 record, 6-1 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and a win over Florida State University early in the season. But then came the loss to University of Oklahoma — their first in conference play — and suddenly, the committee turned cold. ESPN’s ‘Week 13 Anger Index’ didn’t mince words: "The committee had a chance to move away from courting the American and expand its horizons. It didn’t." That’s code for: they punished Alabama for being Alabama. The drop from No. 4 to No. 10 felt less like evaluation and more like vengeance.

Now, Alabama’s fate hinges on two games: home against University of Missouri and a road trip to Baton Rouge to face Louisiana State University. But as The Walk On Redshirts noted on November 19, "a loss to Auburn likely eliminates them." And Auburn? They’re 7-3, hungry, and playing their best football of the season. Alabama doesn’t just need to win — they need to dominate. And even then, it might not be enough.

Tulane’s Rise: The Underdog Who Earned It

Meanwhile, in New Orleans, the Tulane Green Wave celebrated. After a 35-24 win over Florida Atlantic University, they improved to 5-1 in the American Athletic Conference and cracked the top 25 at No. 24. Their case? A win over Duke University — a Power 4 team, even if Duke lost to UConn. "It’s a Power 4 win nevertheless," ESPN argued. "Tulane beat Memphis and ECU. That’s rarified air."

That’s the twist: Tulane didn’t need a flawless season. They needed one signature win — and they got it. They didn’t just win games. They won against teams with winning records. They didn’t coast. They clawed. And the committee noticed. The fact that Duke is flawed doesn’t erase the win. It just makes the committee’s job harder — and Tulane’s case stronger.

The SEC’s Power Duo: Texas A&M’s Miracle and Alabama’s Meltdown

While Alabama stumbles, Texas A&M University is playing like a team destined for the top four. At 10-0, 7-0 in the SEC, they trailed University of South Carolina by four touchdowns at halftime on November 16 — and still won. Quarterback Marcel Reed, a sophomore with ice in his veins, led a 35-point second-half surge. That’s not luck. That’s leadership. And it’s the kind of performance the committee loves: dramatic, against a ranked opponent, on the road.

Alabama’s collapse and Texas A&M’s resilience are the yin and yang of the SEC this year. One team is being punished for its history. The other is being rewarded for its present. The committee’s message? Don’t rest on legacy. Play like you belong.

The Big 12 and the Group of Six Tug-of-War

In the Big 12, Texas Tech University sits at 10-1, with linebacker Jacob Rodriguez — "one of the best players in the country regardless of position," according to The Walk On Redshirts — anchoring a defense that’s improved every week. They need to beat West Virginia University to reach the conference title game. Win that, and they’re in. Lose, and they’re out.

Meanwhile, the American Athletic Conference is a mess. North Texas Mean Green, 9-1, could be left out if Tulane, East Carolina University, and Navy all finish 6-1. That’s the brutal math of the new 12-team format: one loss can cost you everything — even if you’re 9-1.

What’s Next? The Final Week and Conference Championships

The regular season ends in three weeks. But the real drama begins after that. The SEC Championship between Texas A&M and whoever wins the West — likely LSU or Alabama — will likely decide one of the top four seeds. The Big 12 title game? That’s Texas Tech’s last shot. And Tulane? They’ll need to win the AAC title to lock up their spot. But even then, they might need help.

Here’s the cold truth: the committee’s bias isn’t just toward Power 4 schools. It’s toward drama, momentum, and perceived strength of schedule. Alabama’s loss to Oklahoma hurt. But Tulane’s win over Duke? It didn’t just help — it validated. And that’s what matters now.

Behind the Numbers: The CFP Rankings Snapshot

After the November 18 rankings:

• Georgia moved to No. 4, replacing Texas in the top four.
• The top three — Ohio State, Michigan, and Oregon — remained unchanged.
• Notre Dame ranked ahead of Alabama, sparking outrage. "It’s like the pilot says it’ll be 20 more minutes," wrote ESPN. "Everyone knows it’s not true. But the hope is the number seems reasonable enough to avoid anyone getting too upset."

That quote? It’s the heartbeat of this entire controversy. The committee wants to appear fair. But they’re still playing politics. And this year, the bubble is thinner than ever.