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Craig Carton says Alabama is ‘screwing everybody else’ after Crimson Tide land at No. 5 in rankings
The first College Football Playoff rankings placed Alabama fifth and Tennessee 13th, despite Tennessee beating Alabama by 16 points two weeks earlier. Broadcaster Craig Carton criticised the eight-place gap, arguing that the result between the teams should carry more weight and that Alabama’s high position gives it an advantage in the playoff race.
Carton said Tennessee did not merit a top-five spot, but questioned why two teams with two losses were ranked so far apart after their head-to-head game. He acknowledged that rankings can also reflect strength of schedule and opponents, while maintaining that Tennessee had dominated Alabama on the field. The article gives no further ranking criteria or committee explanation for the placement.
In short
- Alabama was ranked fifth and Tennessee 13th.
- Tennessee beat Alabama by 16 points two weeks earlier.
- Craig Carton questioned the committee’s eight-place gap.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Tennessee beat Alabama by 16 points, so placing Alabama eight positions higher risks making a direct result seem to count for little. Head-to-head performance is clear evidence of how the teams compare, and giving Alabama a higher ranking could improve its playoff prospects at Tennessee’s expense.
The case against
A single game need not settle which team is stronger overall or more deserving of a playoff place. Rankings may reasonably weigh the full season, including opponents and strength of schedule; Tennessee’s victory can matter without requiring the teams to be placed close together, though the article provides no committee explanation for this ranking.