Alabama Legend Reacts to SMU’s Playoff Struggles vs. Penn State
This year’s 12-team College Football Playoff format sparked intense debates, with one of the most heated controversies arising in the final weeks. The selection committee faced a tough decision: choose between the SMU Mustangs or the Alabama Crimson Tide for the final playoff spot. In the end, SMU got the nod and went up against the Penn State Nittany Lions in a first-round matchup on Saturday afternoon.
By halftime, however, it was clear to many that Alabama might have been the better choice. SMU trailed 28-0 after being outmatched in all aspects of the game during the first 30 minutes. Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings threw three interceptions, two of which Penn State returned for touchdowns.
The lackluster performance drew sharp criticism, including from former Alabama star and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. Now a Fox Sports analyst and co-host of the “Triple Option Podcast,” Ingram shared his thoughts on SMU’s showing. “This who y’all wanted in the playoff,” he remarked, later suggesting football fans tune into an NFL game instead.
While SMU struggled, it’s worth noting that Alabama’s case for a playoff spot wasn’t flawless. The Crimson Tide suffered three losses this season, including two to unranked teams, which hindered their playoff argument.
Even so, many believe Alabama’s talent would have made them a tougher opponent for Penn State. Yet, the playoff decisions were made, and with SMU’s struggles, the first two games in this expanded format seem destined to end in one-sided blowouts.
