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For only the second time in its nine-year history, Alabama won’t be part of the College Football Playoffs.

Ohio State edged the Crimson Tide for the fourth and final spot, joining Georgia, TCU and Michigan in the national semifinals on New Year’s Eve.

Some of us already knew that Alabama would have a tough time cracking the CFP field of four with two losses, especially after TCU fell to Kansas State in overtime of the Big 12 title game.

What we did not understand was that the final spot came down to the Buckeyes and Crimson Tide, who will face Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl on December 31.

“I think you look at the big wins as well, as part of this,” CFP selection committee chair Boo Corrigan said. “The wins that Ohio State has over Notre Dame, the win they had over Penn State. Compare that to Alabama with the wins over Texas, Mississippi State and some other close games.”

We disagree with Corrigan. We believe that the CFP committee should have looked more at Alabama’s and the SEC’s reputation in the national semifinals. The SEC has won five national titles under this format, with Alabama capturing three of those crowns.

From where we sit, the SEC’s the best conference and it’s not even close. Ohio State and TCU would’ve struggled at LSU and Tennessee, the teams to beat Alabama on the last play.

The one bright spot from this is that the CFP will expand in two seasons.