CFB Playoff Week 16 Preview and What These Games Mean for the ‘Noles

SEC Championship Game: #1 Alabama vs. #16 Missouri

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

On paper this game should be a blow-out, because the almighty Crimson Tide are rolling into Atlanta fresh off an “impressive” 55-44 Iron Bowl win over Auburn in which they allowed a meager 630 total yards and turned the ball over three times. On paper Missouri doesn’t stand a chance, despite making the SEC Championship each season in which they’ve been a member of the almighty SEC. Alabama is a 14.5 point favorite over Missouri, and on paper they should be. Missouri hasn’t “looked” unbeatable this season and certainly didn’t look unbeatable when they lost to Georgia at home 34-0, and to lowly Indiana 31-27.

Everyone, including myself, was hoping Georgia would make the SEC Championship game instead of Missouri simply because UGA could give ‘Bama a run for its money. Despite having its back to the wall down the home-stretch of the season, Missouri found ways to win and earned its spot in the SEC Championship game. Missouri averages 28.6 points per game on offense, and only allows 19.7 points per game. Why is that important? Because in Alabama’s lone loss this season, it only put up 17 points against the Ole Miss Rebels, and only 14 points against Arkansas, a game it won 14-13.

Do I think Missouri can win? Sure– any given Saturday right? Will they win? No. Nick Saban and Alabama have their sights set on that #1 overall seed in the CFB Playoff and won’t drop this one.

Alabama- 34 Missouri- 17

What does this mean for the ‘Noles? Well, FSU will be guaranteed a spot behind at least one 1-loss team come the final CFB Playoff announcement Sunday afternoon. A match-up between Florida State and Alabama on January 1st seemed all but guaranteed going into this weekend, and it should remain that way come Sunday afternoon. I just wish that match-up was going to be January 12th instead.