The Alabama Crimson Tide (7-1) have encountered a wild but unfamiliar season as they are to having to show why they are not out of the CFB Playoff chase. When the Tide lost to the Tennessee Volunteers 52-49 in Knoxville, college football experts were so eager to throw them out the window as one of the top teams in the nation. It wasn’t a surprise to see Alabama start the 2022 College Football Playoff Rankings at number 6. Alabama controls its own destiny If they win the SEC West and the SEC Championship they can secure its eighth CFB Playoff appearance.
First, Alabama will have to get through a top-ten matchup on the road versus its rival in #10 LSU. This rivalry game always brings out the passion of players, but it will be a big game for former LSU freshman All-American cornerback Eli Ricks set to start in his second game for Alabama on Saturday.
Eli Ricks and Playoff Ranking the Talk of #6 Alabama
Where Alabama Fits In the Inaugural CFP Rankings of 2022
Alabama has played in one game since losing to Tennessee as they took down #24 Mississippi State at home 30-6. The Tide was more aggressive in defending against the passing offense of the Bulldogs. On Tuesday, Alabama was put behind five undefeated teams and ahead of #7 TCU, the lone undefeated Big 12 team. The Tide are 2-1 versus ranked teams this season while TCU is 4-0. While the math doesn’t add up to help Alabama’s case over TCU, there are two factors to take into account. The Tide have the playoff experience and the most of any team in the nation. TCU’s biggest win is over #8 Oklahoma State, who suffered a crushing 48-0 defeat to #22 Kansas State last week.
Alabama has shown they can win a national title as a one-loss team under the playoff format. The Tide has been to the playoff four times as a one-loss team and won two championship titles (2015 & 2017). In the 2017 season, Alabama didn’t even play in the SEC Championship game. Alabama has shown they have been through the obstacles of the regular season to finish on top. There is no room for error this season as there are currently six undefeated teams and other great one-loss teams like #8 Oregon, #9 USC, #11 Ole Miss, #12 UCLA, and #16 Illinois pushing themselves into the mix. The Tide will more likely have to finish out the season with wins and defeat either #3 Georgia or #1 Tennessee in the SEC title game to ensure a spot in the top four of the playoff at the end of the season.
Eli Ricks Is Ready To Make An Impact For The Tide
Ricks was supposed to be one of the new players for Alabama this season, but he struggled to see the field. It is unknown if he couldn’t adjust to the schemes under defensive coordinator Pete Golding. Whatever the problems were, they kept Ricks off the field for the season’s first seven games. The key lack of talent in man coverage caused the Tide to lose a big avoidable game against Tennessee.
Ricks made his season debut as a starter for Alabama in the win over Mississippi State. He made an immediate impact on the Tide’s vulnerable pass defense as he was one of the top defensive players of the week by Pro Football Focus. Against Mississippi State, Ricks was targeted 10 times allowing only one completion for 19 yards. He also accounted for five forced incompletions. Ricks will make his second start for Alabama as they go to Baton Rouge to face LSU. It will be a tough homecoming for Ricks, who spent his two seasons at LSU. Ricks, however, will make it a business trip as he looks to make Alabama’s secondary back in prime shape as it has been in the past few seasons.
