Imagine how much less emotional the near-loss then victory would have been if we were in an 8-team playoff format, in which Bama would still be guaranteed a playoff spot barring any additional losses.
Sure, I would've been disappointed during the 4th quarter then happy at the win, but I know I certainly would not have felt the agony then pure joy I felt as things actually transpired.
Let's hope the powers that be don't mess with college football too much...