What Nick Saban said about Alabama football's College Football Playoff chances after Iron Bowl win

It's still a longshot, and Alabama football is going to need some help.

But the Tide might have a (lengthy) path to a College Football Playoff berth.

CBS sideline reporter Jenny Dell asked Nick Saban about the Tide's CFP chances following the 49-27 win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl, giving Saban an opportunity to make a case. He didn't necessarily take the bait.

"That's not for me to say," Saban told CBS. "I love our team. I wish we had the opportunity. But hopefully we'll get one. We'll see."

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Alabama, at 10-2, has no bad losses (a 3-point loss to Tennessee on a last-second field goal and a 1-point loss at LSU in overtime) but also may go into next week without a notable win. Wins over Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Arkansas have been devalued, with the Bulldogs being the most likely team to be ranked out of the trio in the coming week. The 1-point win to Texas on the road has aged well, but the Longhorns finished 8-4. A good, but not great, win added to a group of them.

So what needs to happen for Alabama to have a good shot? Clemson's loss to South Carolina clears out the ACC. Michigan won handily at Ohio State, and that may create a good point of reference. Will the Buckeyes remain ahead of Alabama in the next rankings? TCU and USC are in line to get playoff berths; the 1-loss Trojans likely fall behind the Tide with another loss, while TCU finished the regular season at 12-0. Both teams play in conference championship games next week.

And LSU winning out would take up a spot in the final four ahead of the Tide; a loss to Texas A&M or to Georgia in the SEC title game will be required.

So Nick Saban and Alabama should root for:

• USC loss to Notre Dame or in Pac-12 Championship Game

• TCU loss in Big 12 Championship Game

• LSU loss at Texas A&M or to Georgia in SEC Championship Game

• A big drop by Ohio State in next week's CFP rankings

There's a lot still to happen to open the door for the Crimson Tide, if it's even a possibility. But the door is at least unlocked.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Nick Saban on Alabama football's CFP chances after Iron Bowl win