performance from their backup QB while barely squeaking past a 4 loss Louisville squad 16-6

He then managed 9-26 139 yards and 2 ints versus Georgia

Alabama beat the undefeated #1 ranked Georgia team (who demolished Florida State 63-3) and deserved that last spot

The committee got it right

Availability of star players is part of the CFP ranking process, its one of the main criteria on their website

Strength of schedule,
Head-to-head competition,
Comparative outcomes of common opponents (without incenting margin of victory), and,
Other relevant factors such as unavailability of key players and coaches that may have affected a team’s performance during the season or likely will affect its postseason performance.