If they are going to put Bama in over someone else because of ratings, its a sad world. No doubt Bama is one of the best teams in the country even with their suspect defense but sooner or later they are going to get left out because they don't win their CC and if it happens this year, don't be surprised. Bama was fortunate 2 years ago because the other conference champs had 2 losses. The Pac12 and Big12 could end up with 1 loss champs or even an undefeated one with Baylor(doubtful) and the committee will have a tough decision to make.I'm not worried about the Big12. OU has a worse loss than we do and they were punished again really for narrowly escaping another loss. They will probably split their games with Baylor 1-1 anyway.
If a 10-1 Alabama HAMMERS a Top 5-10 AU team at 9-2 that will be a great final statement and one that also helps the Pac-12 situation if Oregon is a 12-1 Champ with their loss being to that same AU team. Even if it's Utah at 12-1 that means their only good win was against Oregon and their loss would be to a 4 Loss (at least) USCw team.
Once UGA goes down, Alabama will be the best 1-Loss team. It's already set up for us to move to #4 and no other 1-Loss team will have a 'better loss'.... by only 5 Points to the Unanimous #1 Team.
We are sitting in a pretty good spot all things considered.
Yes we have to win our games 1st and foremost and do it convincingly but if/when that happens we have better than a 50/50 shot at getting in.... it's probably 70/30 or better when you factor in the 'Eye Test' and what the ratings would be with a field of:
1) LSU
2)tOSU
3) Clemson
4) Alabama
An LSU/Bama rematch would do BIGTIME TV ratings just like this past weeks game.
LSU vs Utah or even Oregon.... not so much.