The four-team college football championship playoff picture is a bit clearer after last week’s big win by Ohio State over Michigan and Alabama’s loss to Auburn.
Here’s how the playoff looks at the moment:
-#1 Ohio State will make the four-team field, even if the Buckeyes lose to Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game.
-#2 LSU is also in, even if the Tigers lose to #4 Georgia this weekend in the SEC championship. A Georgia win would also see the Bulldogs make the final four.
-#3 Clemson plays #23 Virginia in the ACC title game, and even with an unlikely loss, the Tigers should still make the playoff.
-The drama comes if Georgia loses to LSU. Since #5 Utah was beaten by #13 Oregon 37-15 in the Pac 12 championship game, the Utes are out. But the winner of Oklahoma/Baylor in the Big 12 title game could possibly leapfrog Georgia if the Bulldogs lose.
Playoff Rankings (released this week)
1 Ohio State (12-0)
2 LSU (12-0)
3 Clemson (12-0)
4 Georgia (11-1)
5 Utah (11-1)
6 Oklahoma (11-1)
7 Baylor (11-1)
8 Wisconsin (10-2)
9 Florida (10-2)
10 Penn State (10-2)
This Week’s Games
Big Ten Championship
#1 Ohio State v #8 Wisconsin: Ohio State smashed Wisconsin 38-7 in October and they are heavy favourites to do it again this weekend.
Match Betting: Ohio State ($1.13), Wisconsin ($5.75)
SEC Championship
#2 LSU v #4 Georgia: Definitely the marquee matchup of all the conference championship games. No team has scored more than 20 points on Georgia this year…expect LSU to do just that.
Match Betting: LSU ($1.34), Georgia ($3.18)
ACC Championship
#3 Clemson v #23 Virginia: Defending national champions Clemson are a massive favourite to beat Virginia and go back to the playoff.
Match Betting: Clemson ($1.02), Minnesota ($13)
Big 12 Championship
#6 Oklahoma v #7 Baylor: Less than a month ago, Oklahoma erased a 21-point halftime deficit to beat Baylor 34-31. This one should be just as entertaining.
Match Betting: Oklahoma ($1.30), Baylor ($3.45)
