college football

NCAAF championship odds update: Scenarios for playoff contenders

LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow throws a screen pass against Mississippi State. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire)

Jeremy Jones

December 4th, 2019

The penultimate College Football Playoff rankings were released Tuesday night without much commotion. The top four remained the same, but we are guaranteed to have some changes after the conference championships this weekend. Let's look at each contender's scenarios and their odds to win it all.

1. Ohio State (+160)

There is a lot of belief that the Buckeyes are in the CFP, whether they win or lose in the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday night. Ohio State already defeated Wisconsin once this season, and is a 16.5-point favorite in the rematch. If the Buckeyes win, they could end up the top seed in the CFP. Ohio State has the résumé to remain in the top four with a loss, given its one loss would be to a top-seven team and the Buckeyes have dominating wins over three top-15 teams.

2. LSU (+300)

The Tigers also have a strong case to be in the CFP whether they win or lose the SEC Championship Game on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers are a seven-point favorite against Georgia and look to gain another top-10 victory. A win will give them a case for No. 1. With a loss their résumé should keep them in the CFP. LSU defeated three teams in the top 12, and its one loss would be to a top-four team.

3. Clemson (+175)

Clemson does not have the credentials to advance to the CFP with a loss in the ACC Championship Game. The Tigers will be the largest favorites of the weekend, at 28 points against Virginia. Clemson has run over everyone on its schedule, with the exception of Texas A&M and North Carolina. Nevertheless, the Tigers do not have a win over a currently ranked team.

4. Georgia (+1200)

The Bulldogs have an impressive record, with wins over three top-15 teams. A win over LSU on Saturday afternoon will launch them into the CFP. However, with a loss the Bulldogs will be out of the CFP, because of a bad loss at home to South Carolina in October. Without that loss Georgia would likely be in the same boat as LSU, but now this is a do-or-die game for the Bulldogs.

5. Utah (+2500)

The Utes have no chance to make the CFP if they lose to Oregon on Friday night in the Pac-12 Championship game as 6.5-point favorites. However, with a win they have a case to be in the top four. USC is ranked 22nd, which means Utah's one loss was to a ranked team. The Utes will need a Georgia loss, but will still have the Big 12 champion to compete with.

6. Oklahoma (+4000)

If the Sooners, a 7.5-point favorite in the Big 12 Championship Game, take down Baylor a second time, they have a strong case for the fourth CFP spot. Oklahoma has a bad loss at Kansas State, but it would have three wins over top-25 teams, with two against a top-10 team (Baylor). The Sooners also have the Jalen Hurts story line on their side, and I like their chances to get in with a win and a Georgia loss.

7. Baylor (+25000)

The Bears only have one loss on the season (to Oklahoma) and have a chance to avenge it this weekend. Baylor will obviously be out of the CFP conversation with a loss in the Big 12 Championship Game, but with a win the Bears would have a strong case over Utah. They will only have two wins over ranked opponents, but their one loss is the best loss of all the other one-loss teams. Baylor should be the No. 4 team with a win and a Georgia loss.

Predictions

My top-four predictions are Ohio State, LSU, Clemson and Oklahoma. The semifinal games will be packed with action and excitement, but I like Ohio State and LSU to make the National Championship Game. The Tigers have proven repeatedly that their offense can score on anyone, and I like them to defeat the Buckeyes in the title game. Give me LSU as the third choice all day every day.



Who will be the champions in the Pac-12, Big 12, MAC, Sun Belt, Conference USA, AAC, SEC, Mountain West, ACC and Big Ten? Check out all the college football championship-week matchups at BetAmerica!

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

College Football

Suggested Articles

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 09: Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day stands with his players before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 9, 2024, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH.

College Football Picks Week 13: Top 4 Best Bet and Parlays

Official NFL and College Football Odds for this Week's Games

College Football Picks Week 12: Top 5 Best Bet and Parlays

ADVERTISEMENT

Colorado

First Bet Offer up to $1,500 Back in Bonus Bets

New customers only. Must be 21+ Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. T&C’s Apply.