The No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide certainly has validity, factoring in the Tide’s shakedown of then-No. 2 LSU last week, which included holding Heisman Trophy front- runner Leonard Fournette to a mere 31 rushing yards.

On the “defeat” ledger, Alabama (lone loss to Ole Miss, currently not ranked) also falls short of lofty programs like No. 4 Notre Dame (only setback to top-ranked Clemson), LSU (only loss to Alabama) and No. 11 Florida (only loss: LSU) — the same enigmatic Gators who shellacked Ole Miss by 28 last month — but none of that seems to matter. At least for now.

National reputation and perhaps the presumption that ‘Bama would handle all comers in a Playoff contribute to a ranking above numerous undefeated squads.

As such, the Crimson Tide are seemingly housed in the same boat as Clemson and Ohio State: Take care of business in the final four outings — including Championship Saturday — and the SEC, ACC and Big Ten should all have representation in the Playoff semifinals.