SMU edged out Alabama for the final at-large spot in the College Football Playoff — meaning just three SEC teams (No. 2 Georgia, No. 5 Texas and No. 9 Tennessee) are in the 12-team field.
This could result in the SEC demanding the playoff expand to 14 or 16 teams with four or more automatic spots for its teams.
If so, it would be taking a howitzer to a gnat.
Two things kept the Crimson Tide out of the playoff.
The first is obvious: a horrific 24-3 loss at a lousy Oklahoma team a couple weeks ago, coupled with Clemson drilling a dramatic 56-yard, final-play, game-winning field goal to steal a bid as the ACC champion.