Opening odds released for College Football Playoff semifinals
The College Football Playoff top four has officially been set. Now, Las Vegas oddsmakers have released the first odds for the playoff semifinals.
Check out the odds for the Cotton Bowl and the Orange Bowl, courtesy of DraftKings.
Dec. 31 – Cotton Bowl, College Football Playoff
Arlington, Texas – No. 1 Alabama versus No. 4 Cincinnati
Alabama opens as a 13.5-point favorite over the unbeaten Cincinnati Bearcats. The total for the game is 58 points.
Dec. 31 – Orange Bowl, College Football Playoff
Miami Gardens, Fla. – No. 2 Michigan versus No. 3 Georgia
Despite showing holes versus the Crimson Tide, the Georgia Bulldogs open as 7-point favorites over the Michigan Wolverines. The total is 43 points for the two defensively dominant teams.
Final College Football Playoff top four
The results from the weekend created some major changes in the final College Football Playoff rankings.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1, SEC Champion)
Alabama was a rare underdog on Saturday in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia, but it didn’t matter. Georgia’s dominant defense was not able to contain Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, who threw for 421 yards and had four total touchdowns in the 41-24 victory.
2. Michigan Wolverines (12-1, Big Ten Champion)
Michigan making it into the College Football Playoff top four is a notable accomplishment. The Wolverines become the first team in the playoff era to make the College Football Playoff after beginning the season as an unranked team. Michigan defeated Ohio State 42-27 in the final week of the regular season to clinch a spot in the Big Ten title game. Against Iowa, Michigan dominated in every way possible, coming away with a convincing 42-3 victory.
3. Georgia Bulldogs (12-1, SEC Runner-up)
Georgia came into conference championship weekend looking unbeatable. Georgia’s closest game of the season was Week 1 against Clemson. However, Alabama was Georgia’s toughest test of the season, by a wide margin, and Alabama was able to roll by the Bulldogs. Prior to the loss, Georgia hadn’t given up more than 17 points in a game all season. But Alabama cruised to a 41-24 victory.
4. Cincinnati Bearcats (13-0, AAC Champion)
The Bearcats improved to 13-0 on Saturday with a 35-20 win over Houston in the AAC Championship game. Cincinnati has also become the first Group of Five team to ever make the College Football Playoff top four. After picking up a win over Houston, who entered the weekend ranked No. 21, the committee ultimately decided that the Bearcats deserved a shot.
On3’s Jonathan Wagner contributed to this report.