With a pair of regular season losses already saddling Alabama football's hopes of qualifying for the College Football Playoff, Crimson Tide players are well aware they can ill-afford another loss.
And sophomore DB Ivan Taylor isn't mincing words about it.
"We do have something to prove. We're already in the playoffs, is how we're thinking. Our mentality is, we're already in the playoffs, making sure we don't lose another game," Taylor said Tuesday. "Going from top dog to being an underdog, we've got our minds shifted."
No team with three regular-season losses has reached the CFP in the 12-team format, which is entering its third year. Among the three-loss teams that failed to do so was UA coach Kalen DeBoer's first season in 2024. A 5-0 finish for the Crimson Tide, however, would make a strong statement to the CFP selection committee with a 10-2 overall record.
Alabama (5-2, 3-2 SEC) plays host to Texas A&M on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC). Following that, UA faces a road trip at LSU, then finishes the season against Vanderbilt, Chattanooga and Auburn.
Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X @chasegoodbread.
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This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football DB Ivan Taylor: 'Playoff starts now' for Crimson Tide