Greg Byrne believes if Alabama is left out of the College Football Playoff, it could impact team’s future scheduling.

The Alabama athletics director made the point following Alabama’s win over Georgia in the SEC Championship on Saturday.

He believes that if an undefeated team with an easier schedule reached the CFP over Alabama, it could decentivize teams from scheduling tough non-conference games, like Alabama’s game against Texas in September.

Byrne said that if Alabama had scheduled a non-Power 5 team rather than Texas, it would have won and been undefeated, leaving no doubt about its CFP chances.

“If we would have played a Group of Five game instead it Texas, there’d be no debate right now,” Byrne said after the game.

Alabama’s early loss to Texas could be what keeps it out of the Playoff. While it’s the only loss on Alabama’s schedule and the Tide won the SEC Championship, if it comes to Alabama and Texas as the final team in, the Longhorns win could be the deciding factor.

Alabama will learn its fate on Sunday during the CFP selection show at noon ET.