Part 7/9:
The outcome of this game cast a long shadow over the selection committee's decision to exclude Alabama from the playoffs. Critics who championed Alabama's inclusion based on historical performance and perceived superiority now found their arguments undermined. The narrative that Alabama's absence would leave a void in the playoff field now seemed misguided as they failed to deliver on a national stage.
This defeat underscored a critical point: the selection committee likely made the right decision by leaving Alabama out. The perception that the Crimson Tide would have made a more formidable opponent than other teams has been challenged, given their lackluster display against a less dominant Michigan squad.