For three straight weeks now, Alabama has occupied the No. 5 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings. Before the latest release, though, the Crimson Tide merely seemed the doormat to the Top Four.
Sure, they may stick at No. 5 in a few polls. But once conference championship week ended, Alabama would watch a power-conference winner do its best Allen Iverson impression and step over the Tyronn Lue-like Crimson Tide.
As long as the favorites kept winning, that was the reality of the situation. Those with Alabama fatigue saw a glimmer of hope; yes, 2019 might be the year Nick Saban doesn't reach the CFP.