College Football: 5 biggest question marks heading into 2020 season

4. Will Alabama return to the College Football Playoff?

In many ways, we have come to place too much value on the College Football Playoff. National champions were chosen after the regular season until 1969. The Alabama Crimson Tide won 11 games and somehow the season is seen by many — especially in Alabama — as a failure.

The Crimson Tide has been a fixture in the short history of the College Football Playoff. Last season was the first year they were not part of the national semifinal. They did, however, win their bowl game against the Michigan Wolverines.

This is a team expected to win national titles. Eleven wins are great, but every season is Tuscaloosa is playoff or bust. How do they get back to the playoff?

They benefit from the LSU Tigers having to rebuild from last season’s team. They have to replace 16 starters or contributors from last season’s team. A rare regular-season matchup against Georgia will play a role in both division races.

Alabama has to get better on defense. They did not play well in big games. The defense did not come up with the goods against LSU and Auburn. They need the next great pass rusher to please stand up.

Most importantly, they need to sort out who QB1 is next season. Mac Jones played well enough after Tua Tagovailoa’s injury to be in the lead for the job, but five-star quarterback Bryce Young will have some say.

If they can fix the defense and settle on a quarterback, the Tide will be in the hunt next season.