In one of the most controversial decisions in the four years of the infamous College Football Playoff, the selection committee gave the final spot in this year's Playoff showdown to the Crimson Tide over The Ohio State University. This was debated among thousands of people across the United States. Who really deserved that spot? Was it Ohio State because they won the Big Ten Conference? Or was it Alabama who only had one loss on the season? The committee made their decision and as a result, Nick Saban and his team are #NOLABound. So why did they really deserve that spot? Well….
1. Everyone holds late losses against you in college football, never the early ones… Nick Saban said it himself!
2. Ohio state won fair and square in the Big 10 Championship.
In the complicated equation for teams to win/lose in order for the Tide to go to the Playoffs, Ohio State needed to beat the unbeaten: The Wisconsin Badgers… and they did just that!
3. Let's look at the stats.
Alabama is third in the SEC in total offense, as well as second in scoring offense. On the other side of the field the Tide is second nationally in total D and first, in scoring D. Enough said.
4. Alabama is just the better football team.
Obviously, this cannot be determined until the two play each other, but based on this season, they proved to be the powerhouse everyone knows and loves (well maybe not everyone).
5. Ohio State was in the same position last year.
A dominant, one loss team that didn't play in the Big Ten championship game but still got the final playoff spot.
Why Ohio State didn't deserve the spot
Two blowout losses. The loss to Oklahoma leaves less of a burn than losing to an unranked Iowa by 31 points. Come on now!
Ohio States Trump Card: Alabama has no conference championship, they beat top teams in their conferences like Penn State, Michigan State, and the Badgers in the final game. Although this is true, the other reasons and proving stats outweigh the Buckeyes in the long run.
All in all, Alabama deserved that playoff spot and the Committee agreed.
It just hurts so good.