Crimson Tide supporters in Alabama
Former Alabama QB Tells Fans to ‘Stop Complaining’ About Crimson Tide Not Being in CFP
In the world of college football, few programs have generated as much success, prestige, and expectation as the University of Alabama. With an illustrious history that includes numerous national championships, SEC titles, and a tradition of dominance, the Alabama Crimson Tide is a team synonymous with greatness. Yet, in the 2024 season, Alabama finds itself on the outside looking in, excluded from the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the first time in recent memory. This exclusion has stirred frustration among fans and alumni alike, who have grown accustomed to the Crimson Tide being among the final four teams competing for the national title. However, former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, a key figure in the program’s championship run in 2009, has offered a stern message to those unhappy with the team’s CFP omission: “Stop complaining.”
McElroy, who is now a respected analyst and commentator for ESPN, used his platform to address the outcry surrounding Alabama’s failure to secure a spot in the 2024 CFP. In an impassioned and direct statement, McElroy urged Alabama fans to take a step back, assess the broader picture, and recognize that there are larger factors at play in college football’s ever-evolving postseason system.
The Crimson Tide’s 2024 Season: A Mixed Bag
To understand McElroy’s message, it’s important to first examine why Alabama finds itself on the outside looking in. The 2024 season has been a rollercoaster for the Crimson Tide, with the team facing numerous challenges in a highly competitive SEC landscape. Alabama finished the regular season with a 10-2 record, securing another strong finish in the SEC. However, two key losses — one to Texas and another in the Iron Bowl to Auburn — ultimately cost Alabama a spot in the coveted CFP. These losses, while not catastrophic, were damaging in a season where every game seemed to carry additional weight.
Despite their strong roster, led by quarterback Jalen Milroe and a defense that remained one of the most formidable in the country, the Tide’s two defeats were enough to knock them out of contention for a playoff berth. With the rise of other programs like Michigan, Georgia, and Florida State, the door closed for Alabama, despite their reputation and pedigree.
McElroy’s Response: A Call for Perspective
Greg McElroy, who won a national championship with Alabama in 2009, is no stranger to the pressures and expectations that come with being part of such a storied program. However, McElroy’s comments reflect his belief that the current college football landscape is vastly different from the one he experienced as a player. The rules, the structure of the playoff, and the level of competition have all evolved, and with it, the ability to simply “coast” on tradition alone is no longer an option.
“Look, I understand it,” McElroy began in his statement, addressing fans who were frustrated by Alabama’s absence from the CFP. “Alabama has set the standard in college football. We’ve been in the playoff, what, every year since it started? That’s incredible, but it’s not always going to be that way. You can’t just expect to be there every year based on what you’ve done in the past.”
McElroy continued by emphasizing that Alabama’s historical dominance, while impressive, can no longer be the sole metric for success in the postseason. With the expansion of the College Football Playoff on the horizon and more programs showing they can compete at the highest level, McElroy warned fans to understand that Alabama, like every other team, would need to prove itself every season.
“I think people need to realize that college football is cyclical. Teams go through ups and downs, and just because Alabama has had a sustained period of excellence doesn’t mean it’s going to happen every year. You can’t just expect the committee to pick you because you’ve been good in the past,” McElroy said.
The Impact of the College Football Playoff Committee
Another significant factor that McElroy pointed out was the role of the College Football Playoff committee. In the past, Alabama could rely on its reputation and ranking in the coaches’ poll to bolster its CFP hopes. However, as the committee has become more transparent in recent years, they have adopted a more thorough and analytic approach to selecting teams for the playoff. The quality of wins, strength of schedule, head-to-head matchups, and overall team performance now weigh heavily in the decision-making process.
For Alabama, a loss to Texas, while a close and competitive game, and another setback in the Iron Bowl against a surging Auburn team, simply weren’t enough to outweigh the successes of other top teams. McElroy acknowledged that this trend in committee voting, though difficult for Alabama fans to digest, reflects a shift in how college football’s postseason is handled.
“People act like this is the first time Alabama’s ever missed out on a major postseason game,” McElroy continued. “We’ve missed the BCS a few times, and it wasn’t the end of the world. It’s part of the process. The system is designed to evaluate the entire body of work, and sometimes, it doesn’t go your way.”
Looking Forward: What’s Next for Alabama?
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the College Football Playoff, McElroy also encouraged Alabama fans to focus on the future. While this season may not end with a national title, the team has laid the groundwork for future success. With a strong recruiting class and a coaching staff that has consistently proven its ability to develop talent, McElroy believes that Alabama will continue to be a force in college football for years to come.
“This is a program that’s built to win championships,” McElroy said. “Just because they’re not in the playoff this year doesn’t mean they won’t be back next year, or the year after that. They’ve got great talent, great coaches, and they’ve built something that’s sustainable.”
McElroy’s call for fans to “stop complaining” was not an attack on Alabama’s supporters but rather a plea for perspective. College football is more competitive than ever, and the landscape is changing. Alabama, while still one of the elite programs in the nation, is not immune to the ebbs and flows of the sport.
