Alabama’s College Football Playoff hopes sit on shaky ground after a 26-10 loss at No. 14 Tennessee on Saturday dropped the Crimson Tide to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the Southeastern Conference.
The Tide opened the year 5-0 before consecutive losses to No. 2 Georgia and Tennessee. It marked Alabama’s first back-to-back regular-season defeats since 2007.
ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum said the situation leaves the program in trouble, mainly because of the schedule ahead.
“They have to go on the road and play at LSU,” Finebaum said.
“LSU has been all over the place this year, but Alabama does not seem to play that well on the road. I know they beat Mississippi State; Kamario Taylor was out of that game. If they drop that game to LSU, they are done; they won’t make the playoffs.”
Alabama produced only 201 total yards against Tennessee, with 54 coming on the ground. The Tide turned the ball over four times, allowed five sacks and converted just two of 13 third downs.
Quarterback Keelon Russell went 19 of 29 for 147 yards with two interceptions. He scored the Tide’s only touchdown on a 19-yard run.
Tennessee’s DeSean Bishop carried 32 times for 159 yards and two scores before 101,915 fans at Neyland Stadium. The Volunteers outgained Alabama 347-201.
Alabama has still won two road games this season. The Tide beat Kentucky 45-17 on Sept. 12. Kentucky has not lost since and now stands 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the SEC after a 21-13 win at Oklahoma last week.
Alabama also beat No. 16 Mississippi State 56-23 on Oct. 3. The Bulldogs entered that game 4-0 after a win over Missouri.
LSU is 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the SEC. The Tigers shut out Mississippi State 31-0 on Saturday but earlier lost to Ole Miss and Kentucky.
Alabama hosts Texas A&M (4-3, 1-3 SEC) on Oct. 24 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. A bye follows before the Nov. 7 trip to LSU.
A loss in Baton Rouge would leave Alabama with at least three defeats. Finebaum said that would end playoff hopes in the 12-team field.
The remaining slate also includes a Nov. 14 road game at Vanderbilt and a Nov. 28 home game against Auburn.
Two-loss teams can still reach the playoff as at-large selections. Three losses usually push non-champions out of contention.
Alabama will try to stop the skid at home against the Aggies before facing the tougher road test later.
