It was another “tough” and “frustrating loss” for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama football on Saturday as they lost to Tennessee 24-17 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

And after using the descriptors “tough” and “frustrating,” DeBoer made clear the situation Alabama is facing.

“We’ve had two now,” DeBoer said, referencing the Crimson Tide’s surprise loss at Vanderbilt on Oct. 5.

“I know we have a locker room that’s hurting,” DeBoer continued. “There is always a general feeling in the locker room after a defeat. But these guys, in my opinion, have undoubtedly put their best into the preparation. We’re just frustrated that we can’t get over the hurdle.”

Two losses don't seal Alabama's fate.

In the world of the expanded College Football Playoff, two losses do not automatically disqualify a team from a chance at a national championship. In 2023, Penn State, Ole Miss and Oklahoma each finished in the top 12 of the final CFP rankings with two losses. Alabama, Tennessee, Clemson, USC, Penn State and Washington did the same in 2023, while No. 9 Utah and No. 9 Kansas State had three.

Is the CFP talk surrounding Alabama waning after its recent loss and ahead of next Saturday's home game against Missouri?

Alabama Football Bowl Predictions: Week 9

In CBS Sports' latest bowl predictions following the Crimson Tide's loss, Alabama is still projected as the eighth-seeded CFP team to host No. 9 BYU in the first round at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Dec. 20 or 21.

247Sports has eliminated Alabama from the CFP race entirely. Instead, the Crimson Tide will face former Alabama quarterback Eli Holstein and Pittsburgh on Jan. 2 in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida.

ESPN also has Alabama outside the CFP. The Crimson Tide are scheduled to face Arizona State in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on December 27th.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared in the Tuscaloosa News: Latest Alabama Football Bowl predictions after loss at Tennessee