And the SEC again got the benefit of the doubt. Same as it ever was, right? That was the sentiment emanating from ACC Country Tuesday after the College Football Playoff's penultimate rankings propelled a three-loss Alabama team over a two-loss Miami.

The College Football Playoff field is mostly set. The bubble isn’t very big, but the central debate heading into the conference championship games seems clear: Will the committee elect to place three-loss Alabama into the field ahead of two-loss Miami — or even SMU if the Mustangs lose the ACC title game against Clemson?

Essentially the only path that guarantees a playoff berth for Alabama is an SMU win, as College Football Playoff selection committee chair Warde Manuel explained: “Those who are not playing [in conference championship games], we will not adjust those teams.” Manuel told ESPN.