LSU's CFP Hopes Crater After Alabama Blowout as 3-Loss SEC Ranking Draws Scrutiny
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 9
LSU's CFP Hopes Crater After Alabama Blowout as 3-Loss SEC Ranking Draws Scrutiny
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 9
Summary
LSU's playoff case came under fresh doubt after Alabama routed the Tigers on Saturday, raising the prospect that a third loss could push them out of the CFP top 12.
The debate centers on whether the committee will treat LSU like other contenders or again give an SEC team unusual leeway despite a lopsided defeat.
Critics point to the first 2026 CFP rankings, which they say overrated SEC teams, and to Indiana coach Curt Cignetti's charge that ESPN-driven conference hype shapes perceptions.
Recent results undercut the SEC superiority argument: the league went 1-8 in 2025-26 bowl games, 0-3 in CFP matchups against non-SEC power-conference opponents, and 2-5 against other P4 teams in the expanded playoff era.
That leaves LSU's next ranking drop as a test of whether the committee rewards résumé strength consistently or preserves the SEC benefit of the doubt.