re: Bottom line. Who stops Bama from being right back in the playoffs next year?

I actually think the SEC or ACC has a decent chance of being left out of the playoff next year. Whoever loses that Alabama/Florida State game.

Would be tough for the loser to run the table in conference. If they are 11-2 conference champions, I could see a scenario where the playoff is something like Ohio State, Oklahoma, Southern Cal, and the Alabama/Florida Stat winner.