📡 Phil Steele predicts Alabama, LSU represent SEC in College Football Playoff; Here's how

[Mark Heim | mheim@al.com]

That's right. Two teams from a conference among the top 4 in the country, and one of them doesn't even play in the conference title game.

"I went out of the box," Steele told The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 in Mobile, Alabama, on Thursday. "This is the third year of the playoffs. Everyone just assumes it will be one team per conference. But I think this year, Alabama and LSU are so loaded that the SEC can get two teams into the playoffs."

Steele predicted three of the four teams correctly for the playoffs in the first year, while picking only one of last year's participants.

"I think the Pac-12 might beat itself up. The Big Ten may beat itself up and create an opening there. LSU is the type of team that can step right in there."

Steele points to Washington being the surprise team in the country, and Southern Cal having the toughest schedule as reasons the Pac-12 won't make the playoff.

Meanwhile, in the Big Ten, Ohio State's Urban Meyer - who has only one regular-season conference loss in four years - has just six seniors on the squad and back-to-back games with Michigan and Michigan State.

Cue the SEC.

But who wins the Nov. 5 game between the Tide and Tigers in Baton Rouge?

"You tell me," Steele joked. "I have them kinda tied for first in the West. ... I'm going with Alabama winning the West and the SEC overall. LSU's lone loss will be to Alabama and making the playoffs."

The prediction brings back memories, of course, of Alabama's 21-0 win over LSUin the BCS Championship Game following the 2011 season. The debate that raged even before the game was whether the Tide even deserved a shot at the title after a 9-6 loss to LSU earlier in the year.

The schedule certainly helps LSU, according to Steele. "They do play Auburn, Florida, Arkansas and Texas A&M, but none of them rank in the top in the SEC," he explained. "They get Ole Miss at home. They get Alabama at home."

Alabama's not so fortunate. He ranks the Tide's schedule as the third toughest in the nation, and he adds Alabama (ranked 1st by Steele) plays the top teams in the SEC in LSU (2nd), Tennessee (3rd) and Ole Miss (4th).

However, the talent is hard to deny.

He said, "They're solid at running back." He likes Damien Harris and Bo Scarbrough. He pointed out Calvin Ridley and O.J. Howard as playmakers, and all the mentioned players are playing behind "one of the better offensive lines in the country."

Steele says the lack of an experienced starting quarterback "doesn't really matter" after three of the past four national championships have come with first-year guys under center.

Speaking of quarterbacks, count Steele among fans of LSU quarterback Brandon Harris.

"He's got the arm. He's got the mobility," he said. "He's been reading defenses for two years. We think the light will come. ... I think he is poised to have a good year this year."

He points to Leonard Fournette as "perhaps the best running back in the country," who is teamed with two "NFL-caliber" receivers in Malachi Dupree and Travin Dural."

"I rate Alabama's defense No. 1 in the country," he explained. "I rate LSU's No. 2. The offenses are close. ... I believe it the Alabama-LSU game will not only determine the SEC West but the SEC title."

Full the full interview, go to wnsp.com.

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[TUSKtimes]

Yep, looks like we still have to pay property tax in "Death Valley."

That place where almost "everybody's dreams go to die."

 

[bama alum]

Haven't we read this scenario before?

 

[BamaFan334]

I like Steele. Most of the time speaks on a positive note about things, which is really difficult to find in today's media. I have to agree with him. I thought LSU would surprise folks last year and I feel they did to an extent, but this year is going to be fun to watch.

 

[bradenob]

A very interesting read, but I kind of feel like I felt in 2011. The game had been played. And this year, if we beat LSU in Death Valley, I really don't care to play them again. I will admit that, when the dust cleared, the two best teams then were UA and LSU, and I am thankful we were given a chance at redemption. But in the case of FSU/Clemson, or UA/LSU, if I am another GOOD team with a GOOD resume, please give me a shot. Those teams already got theirs.

And I must say that, since the BCS is now by committee, unlike in 2011, I don't think rematches would happen UNLESS it was obvious that both were head and shoulders above all the others.

 

[UAgrad93]

It sounds like a pipe dream unless some chaos made it plausible. I think it would take Clemson, FSU, Oklahoma, Pac 12 champ, Ohio State, to fall late in the season or have multiple losses leading into the championship weekend for the BAMA/LSwho loser to slip back into the Top 4. Then, we would probably get a semifinal matchup to ensure we never see an all SEC rematch for the Natty again.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Why did the chicken cross the road?
To show a possum it could be done.

It's with that same sense of accomplishment that I hope Bama is the first, in the 4 team era.