Updated odds released for potential semifinals after penultimate College Football Playoff rankings
Just one more set of College Football Playoff rankings remains, with the final four being determined on Sunday afternoon. Tuesday was the penultimate top 25, with some change coming near the top. Ohio State is down to No. 5 after their loss against Michigan, while USC has leapfrogged to No. 4 and will be in with a Pac-12 Championship win.
Lines for potential matchups in the playoff were released shortly after the committee’s reveal by Collin Wilson of the Action Network. Ranging from Georgia at No. 1 to Ohio State, he ran through a round-robin of all five teams playing against one another.
By this time next week, two semifinal games will be set and we will have actual lines set. For now, we will have to settle for the hypotheticals, as conference championship weekend is upon us.
You can check out all 10 potential spreads below. All are assuming the game is played at a neutral site.
Michigan, Ohio State considered PK
Saturday was a day of euphoria for the Michigan Football program. Last season was their first win against Ohio State in quite some time but it came at home in the Big House. After a year of hearing how things will be different in Columbus, the Wolverines went on the road and got a statement victory.
Even after that performance, Michigan-Ohio State on a neutral field would be viewed as a pick ’em. The Buckeyes were around a touchdown favorite while at home and before the rivalry matchup, were around the same number in this same hypothetical.
Nobody would want a chance to play Michigan in the postseason more than head coach Ryan Day. A playoff win against their arch-rivals would relieve all the stress of dropping The Game two seasons in a row.
Georgia expected to be favored throughout College Football Playoff
No matter the opponent or place, Georgia is going to be favored this season. Kirby Smart has had the best program in all of college football over the past two seasons, winning 26 out of 27 games.
USC would be the biggest underdog, coming in nearly at two touchdowns. Vegas would view Michigan as the biggest threat to unseat the Bulldogs, being a 4.5-point underdog in a hypothetical CFP matchup.
Assuming Georgia wins the SEC Championship and remains the No. 1 seed, their semifinal game will be played in Atlanta. That’s something oddsmakers will have to consider as well.