And the SEC again got the benefit of the doubt. Same as it ever was, right? That was the sentiment emanating from ACC Country Tuesday after the College Football Playoff's penultimate rankings propelled a three-loss Alabama team over a two-loss Miami.

The College Football Playoff field is mostly set. The bubble isn’t very big, but the central debate heading into the conference championship games seems clear: Will the committee elect to place three-loss Alabama into the field ahead of two-loss Miami — or even SMU if the Mustangs lose the ACC title game against Clemson?

Miami’s playoff hopes took a nosedive while Alabama’s got a boost in the last rankings before the College Football Playoff bracket is set next weekend