Mark Ingram argues his CFP takes were ‘reverse psychology’ for Alabama

Mark Ingram II likes to refer to himself as the “King Gump,” an endearing reference to Alabama football’s most famous alumni, fictional movie character “Forrest Gump” played by famed actor Tom Hanks.

Yet, despite his unyielding love for his alma mater, it didn’t stop the Crimson Tide’s first-ever Heisman Trophy winner from questioning whether No. 9 Alabama even deserved a spot in the 2025 College Football Playoff field after a lopsided 21-point loss to No. 3 Georgia in the SEC Championship Game three weeks ago.

“I think people misunderstood me. … I want Alabama in the Playoff. Do I think they belong there after that performance? No, I did not,” Ingram said Dec. 8.

That created quite the awkward moment Monday when second-year Tide coach Kalen DeBoer joined Ingram and fellow FOX Sports analysts Urban Meyer and Rob Stone on their Triple Option podcast this week. Especially after No. 9 Alabama (11-3) rallied from a 17-point deficit to knock off No. 8 Oklahoma, 34-24, in the first round of the Playoffs on Friday night.

Rather than admit he was wrong, though, Ingram flipped the script and suggested his criticism was simply “rat poison,” a term first coined by DeBoer’s predecessor, former Alabama head coach Nick Saban.

“Listen, I can’t apologize because it was some reverse psychology,” Ingram told DeBoer during Tuesday’s episode of the Triple Option podcast. “I was throwing the rat poison out there and clearly y’all heard me because we went out to Norman and we did the job. And we’re going to do the job again in a few weeks (in the Rose Bowl against No. 1 Indiana).”

With the win last Friday, Alabama advances to take on the undefeated Hoosiers (13-0) in the 2025 Rose Bowl, a CFP national quarterfinal at 4 pm ET on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, Calif.

“So, you know, I go harder for Bama than anybody in the nation. I go harder for you than anybody in the nation,” Ingram continued making his case. “Did I feel like we left our destiny in the (CFP selection) committee’s hands? Yes, I did. Did I feel like the committee would’ve been justified by doing us dirty? I felt like they might have had (a reason to do) some of that. But at the end of the day, I root for Bama, I want Bama in the Playoffs, I want Bama to win the natty (national championship). I want Bama to ball every time we on the field. So, I do apologize. You know, I’m the ultimate King Gump. They crowned me King Gump because I go harder for Bama than anybody else. … Big DeBoer fan over here.”