playoffs (in essence, the round of 8) in order to reach the round of 4. Durability was part of the process. Bama had key injuries and by the end of the season they did not have enough left to reach their conference championship. They lost the biggest game of their season. They earned the right to sit out. But, instead, they were twice rewarded, gaining an extra off week to heal and rest ( let the other suckers waste physical capital in the conference championship games) and then were gifted entree to the playoffs. Of course Bama is stronger with more rest. But they weren’t when the SEC title was on the line. The folks who wanted a playoff still don’t have it.