Essentially the only path that guarantees a playoff berth for Alabama is an SMU win, as College Football Playoff selection committee chair Warde Manuel explained: “Those who are not playing [in conference championship games], we will not adjust those teams.” Manuel told ESPN.

The Oklahoma Sooners are in the process of trying to lock up their 2025 recruiting class, with the early signing period set to begin. However, it's the the 2026 recruiting class that's taken a hit as late Monday evening, running back Jonathan Hatton Jr.…