The College Football Playoff picture has been shrunk for the penultimate time.
Alabama’s crushing loss to Auburn in the Iron Bowl officially knocked the Crimson Tide out of the hunt. Minnesota’s 42-7 blowout loss to Wisconsin eliminated the Golden Gophers from the CFP conversation as well.
There are now seven teams that are within striking distance, and the Westgate SuperBook posted updated championship odds for each squad on Monday morning. This weekend’s conference championships will mark the final slate of games before the playoff teams are announced.
No. 1 Ohio State is a 7/5 ‘chalk’ to win it all this season. The Buckeyes completed their perfect 12-0 regular season with another resounding win over Michigan. Ryan Day’s squad faces No. 12 Wisconsin in the Big 10 title game on Saturday, where the Buckeyes are 16.5-point favorites. They are almost certain to be in the CFP semifinals, regardless of Saturday’s result.
No. 3 Clemson follows Ohio State with 2/1 odds to win the title. The Tigers took care of business Saturday at South Carolina, coasting to a 38-3 win.
Despite playing a close game with North Carolina earlier in the season, Clemson has covered the spread in six of its last seven games. The Tigers probably need to take care of business as 29-point favorites against Virginia in the ACC Championship Game in order to secure a spot in the playoff.
No. 2 LSU enters conference championship week with 3/1 odds to win the national title. The Tigers had no problem with Texas A&M, beating the Aggies 50-7 as 17.5-point home favorites.
LSU and No. 4 Georgia will meet on Saturday at the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. If the Bulldogs (14/1 odds) are able to win as seven-point underdogs, they will lock down a spot in the playoff. The Tigers are likely in the CFP semifinals regardless, but a win would put them in the conversation for the No. 1 seed.
No. 7 Oklahoma (25/1) and No. 9 Baylor (80/1) will both be hoping to stay alive on Saturday when they meet in the Big 12 Championship. Both teams need a win and a Georgia loss to LSU just to be in the discussion.
If the Bulldogs lose to LSU, the Oklahoma-Baylor winner will likely be vying with Utah (30/1) for the final spot. The Utes are 6.5-point favorites against Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship game.
The College Football Playoff’s field of four will be revealed on Sunday.