3 crucial moments from Alabama's CFB Regular Season that changed the course of their playoff journey

The Alabama Crimson Tide entered the 2024 college football season with hopes of winning the Southeastern Conference and the national championship. However, Alabama had a disappointing season.

The Crimson Tide entered 2024 with a new coach as Nick Saban retired and was replaced by Kalen DeBoer. Alabama ended up missing out on the playoffs completely, and here are three crucial moments that caused them to miss the playoffs.

3 crucial moments from Alabama's CFB regular season

#1, Loss to Vanderbilt

The Alabama Crimson Tide started the season 4-0 including a statement win over Georgia.

After the win, Alabama looked poised to not only make the playoffs but be a legit championship contender. However, the very next week, the Crimson Tide went to Vanderbilt and lost 40–35.

It was one of the biggest losses in program history, and that loss seemed to be the turning point of Alabama's season.

#2, Loss to Oklahoma

Alabama ended up losing to Tennessee as well, so entering its game on the road against Oklahoma, the Crimson Tide needed to win out to have a shot at making the playoffs with two losses.

Alabama was a big favorite to defeat Oklahoma, but Jalen Milroe and the offense struggled mightily. The Crimson Tide got a 3–0 lead and led 3–0 after the first. However, Alabama gave up 24 unanswered points to lose 24–3.

The Crimson Tide's offense couldn't move the ball, and the third loss of the season likely ended their hopes of making the playoffs.

#3, Clemson winning ACC

The third and final crucial moment ending Alabama's playoff chances didn't even involve them playing.

In the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game, the Clemson Tigers played the SMU Mustangs. At the time, Alabama was in the playoffs, as other playoff-bound teams ended up losing their second or third game.

Had SMU won the ACC, Alabama likely would have been in the playoffs. However, Clemson hit a game-winning field goal to win the ACC and punch a ticket into the playoffs.

The committee then decided SMU showed enough to get a berth in the playoff, which put Alabama out.