Alabama holds a higher position than Tennessee in the latest College Football Playoff rankings even though the Crimson Tide lost to the Volunteers earlier in the season. The selection committee weighs overall resume, strength of schedule, and quality wins more heavily than a single head-to-head result.
Tennessee's victory over Alabama was a significant upset, but the Volunteers have accumulated losses against other opponents that weaken their overall profile. Alabama's schedule features more top-tier opponents and fewer defeats, keeping the Crimson Tide ahead in the playoff pecking order as the regular season enters its final weeks.
