LSU's CFP outlook just took a massive blow. Can Tigers still make it after Alabama loss?

Much of the conversation since Tuesday's College Football Playoff rankings were unveiled has been spent on the Miami and Notre Dame clash in South Bend.

But the Hurricanes-Fighting Irish matchup wasn't the only Week 10 game with significant CFP implications. Another took place in Baton Rouge between Alabama and LSU, a pair of two-loss teams that are crowded together in the SEC standings who ranked No. 5 and No. 14 in the initial rankings, respectively.

Advertisement

CFP rankings live predictions: UCLA moves up, so who moves down?

Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide had enough in them out of the bye week to come out of the top-15 matchup with a resume-bolstering, 31-13 win against Lane Kiffin and Co. at Tiger Stadium.

Alabama came alive in the second half, particularly late in the third quarter and throughout the fourth. Keelon Russell threw a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes to help the Crimson Tide pull away, while Kane Wommack's defense wreaked havoc on Sam Leavitt and the Tigers' offense, which tried (and failed) four different fourth-down conversion attempts.

That said, it's raised the question: Can LSU still make the College Football Playoff? Here's what to know:

Can LSU make College Football Playoff after Alabama loss?

Sitting now as a three-loss team, LSU's margin of error to make the College Football Playoff in Year 1 under Kiffin is slimmer than ever. LSU entered Saturday at No. 14 in the CFP selection committee's initial top 25 rankings, one spot below Tennessee, the second team out of the field.

Advertisement

That said, the Tigers have a pair of opportunities in the next two weeks against Texas, the current projected No. 7 seed in the CFP bracket, and Tennessee. With wins against both the Longhorns and Volunteers, they could improve their CFP odds and get in.

The committee did include a three-loss team in the CFP last season in Alabama, though the Crimson Tide's third defeat came in the SEC championship game against Georgia. The Tigers won't have that luxury, as a path to the SEC championship game in Atlanta is out of the picture.

So, depending on how the final weeks go for the Tigers, the CFP committee will have to decide if it will break from history or not.

CFP rankings

Below is a look at how the projected 12-team CFP bracket from the selection committee's first CFP top 25 rankings performed in Week 10:

Advertisement

Note: Rankings below represent teams' projected CFP seeding

1. Miami: vs. No. 11 Notre Dame at 7:30 p.m. ET

2. Georgia: vs. No. 10 Ole Miss at 7:30 p.m. ET

3. Utah: Beat No. 9 BYU 28-20

4. Indiana: BYE

5. Alabama: Beat LSU 31-13

6. Kentucky: In action vs. Tennessee

7. Texas: Beat Missouri 34-20

8. UCLA: Beat Minnesota 34-20

9. BYU: Lost to No. 3 Utah 28-20

10. Ole Miss: vs. No. 2 Georgia at 7:30 p.m. ET

11. Notre Dame: vs. No. 1 Miami at 7:30 p.m. ET

12. Boise State: In action vs. Colorado State

LSU football schedule

Below is a look at LSU's remaining schedule:

• Saturday, Nov. 14: vs. 11 Texas

• Saturday, Nov. 21: at No. 16 Tennessee

• Saturday, Nov. 28: at Arkansas

Click here to view LSU's full 2026 schedule.

Be sure to check out USA TODAY Sports' new College Football Unfiltered podcast, hosted by USA TODAY Sports columnist Blake Toppmeyer. You can stream on YouTube or download via Apple podcasts and Spotify.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LSU's CFP outlook just took a massive blow. Can Tigers still make it after Alabama loss?