LSU vs. Alabama: Projecting How Crimson Tide Win Impacts CFP Picture

The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide made a statement Saturday night, defeating the No. 2 LSU Tigers, 30-16. 

Alabama was the final team to make the field in the first College Football Playoff rankings despite suffering an early-season loss to the No. 18 Ole Miss Rebels. It didn't go over well with some, as For the Win pointed out how many teams the CFP committee overlooked:

After the beatdown the Crimson Tide gave to the previously undefeated Tigers, they are proving they belong with the nation's best. Yes, Alabama was embarrassed by Ole Miss at home, allowing the Rebels to score 43 points, but that was a long time ago.

In their six games since the loss, the Crimson Tide have allowed more than 16 points just once and now sit atop the SEC West Division. The defense was stout again Saturday, holding the nation's leading rusher, Leonard Fournette, to 31 yards.

Alabama's front seven impressed the Associated Press' John Zenor, to say the least:

Fournette was the Heisman Trophy front-runner coming into the game, but Alabama's Derrick Henry made a strong case that he should be the leading candidate. The junior rushed 38 times for 210 yards and three touchdowns and now has 1,254 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season.

It's been a while since an opponent has been able to keep Henry out of the end zone, according to ESPN Stats & Info:

Alabama's dominance on both sides of the ball helped the team prove its ranking was just. Not only did LSU lose, but No. 1 Clemson and No. 3 Ohio State also had to fight for victories this week.

The Crimson Tide cruised and now have a great shot at moving further up, per Brian Hamilton of Sports Illustrated:

Alabama can occupy only one spot, but Hamilton's point is this: Despite the loss, the Crimson Tide look like the best team in the country. Four previously undefeated teams lost Saturday: LSU, No. 7 Michigan State, No. 8 TCU and No. 13 Memphis.

If Alabama keeps winning and more undefeated teams lose, there will be little question as to why the Crimson Tide are ranked as high as they are.

In fact, with their latest win, they've already started to answer that question.