What's next for Alabama after two losses this season? Closer look at Kalen DeBoer's chances to make CFP in 2024

The Alabama Crimson Tide are too far from their previous No. 1 ranking after the win over the Georgia Bulldogs on Sep. 28. Since the Georgia game, Alabama is 1-2, losing to the Vanderbilt Commodores in Week 6 and barely squeaking by the South Carolina Gamecocks before traveling to Knoxville to take on the Tennessee Volunteers.

Despite entering the game as a 3.5-point favorite, Alabama suffered a 24-17 loss to Tennessee, falling to 5-2 on the season with a 2-2 record in the Southeastern Conference. After slipping to No. 15 in the AP Poll, their lowest ranking since 2010, here's a look at Bama's playoff chances.

What's next for the Alabama Crimson Tide

While many would consider the Crimson Tide a lock to miss the 12-team College Football Playoff, anything could happen in a loaded SEC.

For one, Alabama has an imposing win to their resume versus No. 2 Georgia. Another factor working in the Crimson Tide's favor is their favorable Week 9 matchup versus the No. 21-ranked Missouri Tigers.

The Tide will have the opportunity to notch their second Top 25 victory of the season before entering a crucial week off in Week 10. From there, Alabama will travel to Baton Rouge to take on the No. 8 LSU Tigers with their playoff hopes on the line.

If the Tide can muster wins in both games, they can cruise to a 10-2 record in the regular season and have an outside chance of making the College Football Playoff, but they will still need help.

Seven Top 25 teams are ahead of the Tide in the SEC standings. The road to the SEC Championship is improbable for Alabama, with six weeks left in the regular season.

The season's first College Football Playoff rankings are set to be released on Nov. 5, just days before the Tide travel to Baton Rouge. If Alabama impresses enough in their final two Top 25 matchups, they could have plentiful consideration for a playoff spot.

Several teams ahead of Alabama in the AP Poll have looked susceptible to fall, as the BYU Cougars, Iowa State Cyclones, and Miami Hurricanes were each at risk of suffering losses in Week 8. AP Top 25 teams suffering losses in the coming weeks will help Alabama's case immensely.