Where ESPN ranks every Alabama football team in CFP history

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The Alabama Crimson Tide have produced a prolific amount of playoff caliber teams throughout the history of the CFP.

Alabama won a total of six national championships under former head coach Nick Saban, as the Tide has been nothing short of dominant throughout the majority of the 2000’s and 2010’s. Alabama has qualified for the post season a total of nine times, and each team saw a number of talented and elite players since the CFP officially came into play.

The Tide produced a multitude of first and second round caliber NFL talent throughout the Saban era as well. Saban produced an eye opening total of 49 first round draft picks during his time at Alabama, as the legendary head coach set an authoritative standard from the moment he arrived in Tuscaloosa. The Tide qualified for the CFP in 2025 as well, as current head coach Kalen DeBoer will look to leave his mark on Crimson Tide History.

Here’s an in depth look at where each Crimson Tide postseason team ranks since the establishment of the CFP, per ESPN’s Bill Connelly.

2025

Ranking: No. 58
Record: 10-3 overall
CFP Result: TBD

The Tide had an up and down year throughout the 2025 season. Alabama was nothing short of elite in the month of October, as the Tide were able to secure significant victories against Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri and Tennessee. Ty Simpson and the Alabama offense struggled late in the season, but Alabama’s efforts in 2025 ultimately earned them the No. 58 spot on ESPN’s all time CFP list.

2023

Ranking: No. 41
Record: 12-2 overall
CFP Result: 27-20 semifinal loss vs. Michigan

Alabama qualified for the CFP during Nick Saban’s final season following an impressive win against Georgia in the SEC Championship. The Tide were named as the fourth overall team during the 2023 Playoff, as coach Saban ultimately fell just short of yet another national championship appearance when Alabama was defeated by Michigan in overtime by a score of 27-20.

2014

Ranking: No. 21
Record: 12-2 overall
CFP Result: 42-35 semifinal loss vs. Ohio State

Led by offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, the Alabama offense was a high powered and dynamic unit that ranked among the country’s best throughout the 2014 season. The Tide entered the CFP as the No. 1 overall seed and took an early 21-6 lead over the Buckeyes, but Ohio State was ultimately able to come back and defeated the Crimson Tide by a score of 42-35.

2021

Ranking: No. 17
Record: 13-2 overall
CFP Result: 27-6 semifinal win vs. Cincinnati, 33-18 national championship loss vs. Georgia

Led by Bryce Young and Will Anderson Jr., the 2021 Crimson Tide featured both the best offensive and defensive players in the country. Depth remained as a legitimate issue over the course of the year however, and the Tide were unable to top an elite Georgia team for the second time in the same season and ultimately fell short in the national championship.

2016

Ranking: No. 15
Record: 14-1 overall
CFP Result: 24-7 semifinal win vs. Washington, 35-31 national championship loss vs. Clemson

Alabama was widely regarded as the top overall team in the country during the 2016 season. Star quarterback Jalen Hurts was named as the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and the Tide remained unbeaten entering the CFP. Hurts and the Alabama offense were dominant against Washington in the opening round, but Clemson was able to get the best of the Tide during the national championship and defeated Alabama 35-31.

2015

Ranking: No. 12
Record: 14-1 overall
CFP Result: 38-0 semifinal win vs. Michigan State, 45-40 national championship win vs. Clemson

Despite a slow start to the 2015 season, Jake Coker and the Alabama offense were able to heat up at the perfect time. Coker struggled immensely over the early portion of the year and was eventually benched, but the quarterback returned to action with a chip on his shoulder and carried the Crimson Tide to a national championship.

2018

Ranking: No. 8
Record: 14-1 overall
CFP Result: 45-34 semifinal win vs. Oklahoma, 44-16 national championship loss vs. Clemson

Alabama was nothing short of dominant throughout the 2018 season. The Tide had arguably their best offensive unit in school history, and continued to dominate their opponent week in and week out. The Alabama offense failed to show up in the national championship however, as Clemson defeated the Tide with authority by a score of 44-16.

2017

Ranking: No. 7
Record: 13-1 overall
CFP Result: 24-6 semifinal win vs. Clemson, 26-23 national championship win vs. Georgia

Alabama was elite in 2017 despite an Iron Bowl loss to Auburn late in the season. The Tide defeated Clemson with ease in the first round of the CFP, but Georgia was able to get the upper hand in the first half of the national championship as Alabama found themselves in a 13-0 hole entering the second half. A quarterback change at halftime proved to be everything the Tide were looking for, as Tua Tagovailoa led the Alabama offense to a shocking comeback that earned head coach Nick Saban his sixth national championship.

2020

Ranking: No. 1
Record: 13-0 overall
CFP Result: 31-14 semifinal win vs. Notre Dame, 52-24 national championship win vs. Ohio State

The 2020 Alabama Crimson Tide were one of the greatest teams in the history of college football. The Tide had the No. 1, 3 and 5 finishers in Heisman voting, and coach Saban ultimately led Alabama to yet another national championship in dominating fashion. The Tide beat Notre Dame 31-14 in the semifinal round of the CFP, followed by an authoritative display of talent against Ohio State in the national championship.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: ESPN ranks 2020 Alabama football as best team in CFP history

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