Take a Breath Bama Fans, the Crimson Tide is Going to the Playoff

Heading into Saturday afternoon, there was an air of concern over the Alabama Crimson Tide fanbase. The Georgia Bulldogs possessed one of the nation's most intimidating defenses and Bryce Young and the Alabama offense struggled mightily to score on the Auburn Tigers.

There was a thought that Alabama may need some help on conference championship Saturday with a potential loss to Georgia seeming all but imminent to many.

But those people were wrong.

The Crimson Tide picked up its 29th SEC Championship in a 41-24 win over Georgia and likewise punched its ticket to the 2021 College Football Playoff.

Alabama did get early help in the Big 12 Championship game, though it proved unnecessary. The No. 5 Oklahoma State Cowboys came within a single yard of snatching a comeback victory over the No. 9 Baylor Bears. Ultimately, the Bears prevailed 21-16, knocking a potential member of the two-round tournament out of contention.

Cincinnati looks to have locked up the first playoff berth of any Group of 5 school in the now-seven-year history of the CFP. The No. 4 Bearcats had a few moments of concern against the No. 21 Houston Cougars, but a 21-point third quarter gave Luke Fickell's team the edge it needed to secure yet another American Conference Championship.

Michigan poured it on the No. 13 Iowa Hawkeyes 42-3 to win the Big 10 Championship, adding its final score with 1:25 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Wolverines may have made a strong argument for the number one seed with back to back dominant top-15 wins in the Big 10.

Having lost by 17 to the Crimson Tide, Georgia could see itself at No. 3 or 4, depending on if the committee is okay with a rematch between the SEC juggernauts, which isn't likely. Still, the SEC should still expect to have two teams playing in January for a chance at the national championship.

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No matter where the Crimson Tide is seeded or who it faces, Alabama has done exactly what its passionate fanbase had hoped: keep a chance for a 19th national championship alive.