Projected final 2020 College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings after Week 16

Alabama needed only to win to secure their spot atop the final College Football Playoff rankings of 2020. That’s exactly what they did against Florida in the SEC championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, surviving a Gators comeback bid for a 52-46 victory that gives the Crimson Tide their eighth conference title under Nick Saban. Now the Tide will enter the postseason as the top seed in the semifinals as they aim for Saban’s sixth national title at the school.

In the SEC championship, Mac Jones effectively locked up the Heisman Trophy as he went 20-of-28 for 267 yards with four touchdowns and an interception that his receivers got right back — and that was just in the first half. Jones finished with 418 yards and five scores. DeVonta Smith hauled in 15 of those passes for 184 yards and two scores. Najee Harris produced his own highlight reel, rushing for 177 yards and two scores and catching five passes for 67 yards and three of Jones’ touchdown throws. Alabama’s defense held Florida to only 54 rushing yards in the blowout win.

The committee will deliberate long and hard about who to slot in against the Tide. Another instant classic against Clemson will be preserved until the final, if both teams get through the bracket. Notre Dame offers a far less attractive option after their loss to Clemson in the ACC championship. That leaves either Texas A&M or Ohio State, and the committee will likely avoid a semifinal rematch between division rivals.

Now Alabama will just need to avoid falling into the same trap they did in 2014 when the College Football Playoff first came online.