And then there were four.
After weeks upon weeks of college football, the Playoff has come down to four teams. Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, and Ohio State have reached the NCAA College Football Playoff in an attempt to be crowned national champions.
For some of these programs, it’s another day at the office. For others, it’s a chance to wash away years of disappointment at the national championship level.
Entering the College Football Playoff, the Alabama Crimson Tide are the number one seed. Alabama finished the regular season a perfect 11-0 and is 1 of 2 teams in the CFP that are undefeated. The only other team in the CFP without a losing record is Ohio State, who enters the CFP 6-0.
The Crimson Tide have a date with Notre Dame in the CFP Semis. Notre Dame’s biggest win of the season came against Clemson in double overtime. However, the Tigers would get the last laugh in the ACC championship game.
Focusing on the betting odds and market, the SEC champion Crimson Tide are the favorites to win the National Champion. Alabama is listed at -167 (888Sport) and is a top pick among bettors.
Their first-round opponent Notre Dame own the worst odds of the four teams to win the championship. At +2100 (10Bet), Notre Dame is the biggest underdog in the College Football Playoff.
Remember earlier when I mentioned a certain team that is trying to wash away national championship disappointment? I was speaking of Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish have a number of national titles to their name (11 to be exact), but their last victory came in 1988. Can they shock the college football world and capture a national title?
Ohio State vs. Clemson in the CFP Semi-Finals will certainly be an interesting battle. Ohio State played only 6 games this season but were impressive. Meanwhile, the Tigers’ only loss this season came to ND in double OT. They picked up an ACC championship over the same Fighting Irish, marking their territory.
Does Ohio State’s lack of schedule affect their odds? The Buckeyes +550 (Betway) are a decent pick to win the championship, but I wonder if their odds would be better if the Buckeyes played a longer schedule.
Clemson +225 (Betway) owns the second-best odds to win the CFP. It will be interesting to see how they fare against the Buckeyes. Ohio State has something to prove and Trevor Lawrence is hoping to end his collegiate career with a national championship.
As for the outright winner? I think the Crimson Tide have this in the bag. I think Notre Dame are frauds, unfortunately. They dropped the Tigers but were exposed in the ACC Championship.
Ohio State or Clemson can challenge the Crimson Tide, but I just think Alabama is elite on both sides of the football. Virtually without a flaw, I am picking the Crimson Tide to win this season.
