Bowl predictions, CFP predictions for Alabama football after the Iron Bowl

Alabama football could still make it to the College Football Playoff.

It’s far from a given, but some forecasters believe it will happen. Others don’t. It is not easy to find out what the CFP Committee will do. But Alabama’s playoff chances are at least still there until conference title weekend.

The AP and coaches polls ranked the Crimson Tide at No. 11 as of Sunday. The CFP Committee will release its latest rankings on Tuesday evening. Last week, Alabama ranked 13th.

Then Alabama beat Auburn 28-14 in the Iron Bowl and teams ranked ahead of the Crimson Tide, like Clemson and Miami, lost their regular season finale.

Here’s how some media outlets see how Alabama (9-3, 5-3 SEC) plays in the postseason.

Alabama football bowl projections

CBS: Citrus Bowl

Jerry Palm’s latest bowl predictions have the Crimson Tide facing Illinois in the Citrus Bowl on December 31st. That was his prediction a week ago after the loss at Oklahoma, and that prediction remained even after the final weekend of the regular season. Therefore, there is no playoff prediction here.

ESPN: College Football Playoff

Mark Schlabach predicted Alabama will sneak into the playoffs as a No. 12 seed. In that scenario, Alabama would face No. 5, which Schlabach predicted would be No. 5 Notre Dame. Alabama would travel to South Bend to face the Fighting Irish in the opening round of the playoffs.

ESPN: Citrus Bowl

Kyle Bonagura sees Alabama missing the playoffs and playing Illinois in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

247Sports: CFP

Brad Crawford invited Alabama to the Citrus Bowl a week ago. Now he believes the Crimson Tide will make it to the CFP, securing the No. 11 seed and facing No. 6 Penn State in the first round in State College, Pennsylvania. Crawford predicts Alabama will win this game and advance to the CFP quarterfinals to face No. 3 seed SMU in the Peach Bowl. Crawford also expects Alabama to win this game and reach the semifinals, play Texas in the Orange Bowl and lose this game.

The Sports News: CFP

Bill Bender predicts Alabama will enter the CFP as a No. 12 seed and will also face No. 5 Penn State in State College. However, Bender expects Alabama to lose this game.