Auburn Beats Bama; CFP's Descent into Hell Begins

Here we go.

Two weeks ago, Mississippi State thought they'd deciphered the Saban code but couldn't deliver the goods.

Auburn surely noticed a tendency in that game, added their own strengths to it, and emerged with a resounding 26-14 victory over the Crimson Tide.

In so doing, the Tigers have unleashed an Alabama politicking campaign the likes of which the state may have never witnessed before. Including that one.

For all the smoke and mirrors of the College Football Playoff's Selection Committee -- and its weekly expense accounts at a luxurious Texas spa -- with all its so-called metrics and game videos, the undercurrent that they entitle ratings-grabbing big brands over hard-won merit on the field still persists.

And why wouldn't it?

Ohio State got into last season's playoff bracket through the side door when the Committee went double-secret probation -- or something -- on Penn State, who'd actually won the Big Ten title.

This year, it's the Crimson Tide's turn to find that door, thanks to a so-so résumé and the Auburn Tigers:

Gus Malzahn and his staff had been watching Tide tendencies for a while, like the stark realization that Bama's habits in the Mississippi State game could well be repeated in this one.

For example, check out QB Jalen Hurt's rushing stats in each game. His carries roughly total those of the Tide's three talented RBs combined:

vs Mississippi State						vs Auburn
	Car	Yds	Avg	Lng		Car	Yds	Avg	Lng
Hurts ...	19	40	2.1	14	...	17	80	4.7	17
Jacobs ...	6	36	6.0	13	...	6	25	4.2	6
Harris ...	8	93	11.6	48	...	6	51	8.5	31
Scarbrough ...	5	33	6.6	13	...	6	46	7.7	21

Is it possible 'Bama OC/QB coach Brian Daboll is still a little too NFL vanilla?

It's definitely a reality that the Tigers could narrow the odds on what was coming.

The Tide's task now is to put out an APB for anyone who will listen that they belong in the bracket, and one measly ol' Iron Bowl loss shouldn't scar their totally respectable record.

Besides, they've still got that eye test.

That big-brand, ratings-grabbing eye test.