Alabama Fans’ Rooting Guide: Game Results That Can Help Tide in CFP and SEC Race

Alabama football doesn’t need outside help to make the College Football Playoff.

Win and the Crimson Tide is not only in the field, but also likely gets a first-round bye.

But victory is far from guaranteed. Alabama must beat No. 11 Oklahoma on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC) before a game two weeks later against Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

So there are some results that can help the Crimson Tide as they fight to not only qualify for the 12-team playoffs, but also secure a good seed. Additionally, Alabama is playing for a spot in the SEC Championship Game.

Here’s Alabama fans’ rooting guide to the games for the weekend of November 15.

(All times are Central Time).

Wisconsin second to Indiana

Logistics: 11:00 a.m. on BTN in Bloomington, Indiana

Root for: Wisconsin

A loss for the Hoosiers wouldn’t have much of an impact on Alabama, but it would open the way for the Crimson Tide to earn a higher seeding and ranking if Alabama continues to win. But don’t worry too much about this one. If anything, root for Wisconsin to limit Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza for the purposes of the Heisman race.

South Carolina at No. 3 Texas A&M

Logistics: 11:00 a.m. on ESPN in College Station, Texas

Root for: South Carolina

A loss for the Aggies could benefit Alabama in several ways. This could pave the way for the Crimson Tide to advance even further into the top four. Additionally, Texas A&M having a loss in the SEC could be helpful in the race to the SEC Championship Game.

New Mexico State at No. 23 Tennessee

Logistics: 3:15 p.m. on the SEC Network in Knoxville, Tennessee

Root for: Tennessee

Yes, it asks a lot of you. No, you don’t have to do this. But it would benefit Alabama if Tennessee won every game from here on out.

The win against the Vols is one of Alabama’s best wins this season, especially since it was a ranked win. A loss here drops Tennessee into unranked territory, hurting Alabama’s resume.

Florida at No. 7 Ole Miss

Logistics: 6 p.m. on ESPN2 in Oxford, Mississippi

Root for: Florida

A second SEC loss would all but prevent the Rebels from reaching the SEC title game. Plus, it wouldn’t be the worst thing for Ole Miss to suffer another loss from a playoff standpoint. The Rebels are 9-1 entering this game and could very well compete with the Crimson Tide for a spot in the 12-team field depending on how the Oklahoma and Auburn games go for Alabama. Every playoff contender loss helps the Crimson Tide.

UCLA ranked first over Ohio State

Logistics: 6:30 p.m. on NBC in Columbus, Ohio

Root for: UCLA

It’s similar to the Indiana game. It wouldn’t hurt if the teams ahead of the Crimson Tide lost and helped Alabama move up in the rankings. Don’t worry too much about the outcome in this one, though.

Texas No. 10 and Georgia No. 5

Logistics: 6:30 p.m. on ABC in Athens, Georgia

Root for: Georgia

This is a difficult decision because both scenarios have advantages. If the Bulldogs lose another game in the SEC, it helps Alabama in the race for the SEC Championship Game. But the Crimson Tide’s win over the Bulldogs is the best on Alabama’s resume. It’s also one of the greatest victories in college football this season. It’s probably in Alabama’s best interest for this win to remain high quality.

Plus, a loss in Texas wouldn’t be bad. This could almost eliminate the Longhorns from the College Football Playoff with three losses. If Alabama is in the bubble, the fewer teams competing for the final playoff spots, the better.

So, the Bulldogs have the advantage here.

State of Mississippi in Missouri

Logistics: 6:45 p.m. on the SEC Network in Columbia, Missouri

Root for: Missouri

If the Tigers can finish the regular season strong, they could return to the top 25. Missouri has the best chance among the unranked teams the Crimson Tide beat to be ranked again. That would give Alabama another ranked win on its resume.