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After a long season, college football's Championship Weekend is finally here. As the nation's top teams compete for conference supremacy, fans impatiently wait to see how the title games will influence the coveted College Football Playoff (CFP).
Since the multi-game single-elimination tournament began in 2014, there has been no shortage of incredible football play and unbelievable moments etched in history. As the playoffs approach, read ahead for a preview of this weekend's big games and to contextualize Alabama's recent come-from-behind victory.
On the tenth anniversary of the 'Kick Six' game, one of the greatest Iron Bowls of all time, Alabama pulled off a miracle of its own. Last week's thriller at Jordan-Hare Stadium reminds us that in sports, nothing is impossible. With 43 seconds remaining and Auburn leading 24-21, Alabama faced a 4th and Goal from the Tigers’ 31-yard-line. According to ESPN's advanced analytics, the Tigers had a 99.9% statistical chance to win the Iron Bowl.
Inexplicably, Auburn rushed only two defenders, giving Alabama QB Jalen Milroe plenty of time to bounce around the pocket before unleashing a dart to the back of the end zone. His pass found teammate Isaiah Bond for an incredible touchdown, giving Alamaba a 27-24 lead and eventually proving to be the game-winning score. The play, being referred to as '4th and a Mile' and 'The Gravedigger', not only won the Iron Bowl for Nick Saban’s team but also kept their College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Next up, Alabama will face the undefeated, top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs on Championship Weekend with the SEC title on the line. As six-point underdogs in the title game, ESPN's Allstate Playoff Predictor currently gives the Crimson Tide just a 28% chance to make the playoffs. One thing for certain is that despite the unfavorable odds, wise sports bettors will likely think twice before counting Alabama out.
Out west, the Pac-12 Championship game features two teams that have advanced in the latest rankings: the #5 Oregon Ducks and #3 Washington Huskies. The game is a rematch of an epic contest between the two sides less than two months ago. Washington prevailed 36-33 thanks in large part to Michael Penix Jr.'s 4 touchdown passes, handing the Ducks what proved to be their only loss of the season. Since then, Oregon has been on a roll. They are considered a 9.5-point favorite over the Huskies and have a 70% chance versus Washington's 26% chance to make the CFP.
The game not only has a playoff berth on the line but also Heisman Trophy implications between the teams’ quarterbacks, Oregon’s Bo Nix and Washington's Michael Penix Jr. The former leads the nation in passing yards (3,906) and completion percentage (78.6), while the latter has recorded five games with four or more touchdowns and eight games with 300+ passing yards. The game is expected to be a shootout with the current point total (over/under) at 66.5 points.
Will Michigan be this year's team of destiny? Coming off an impressive win over then-ranked number two Ohio State, the Wolverines finished 9-0 in the Big Ten and 12-0 overall. John Harbaugh's team will make the short trip to Indianapolis to take on the #16 Iowa Hawkeyes for the Big Ten Championship.
On the quest for their third-straight crown, Michigan enters the title game as 21.5-point favorites and has a 93% chance of making the College Football Playoffs. The Wolverines are in search of their first National Championship since they claimed the title behind Heisman trophy winner Charles Woodson.
Meanwhile, on the Atlantic Coast, the undefeated Seminoles, led by senior quarterback Jordan Travis, have a 70% chance of making the playoffs and are looking to win their first National title in ten years. As 2.5-point favorites, #4 Flordia State is projected to win the ACC Championship versus #15 Louisville.
This year's Big 12 Championship is between #12 Oklahoma State (9-3) and #7 Texas (11-1). Led by sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers, the Longhorns are currently 14.5-point favorites and have a 48% chance of making the playoffs. If they want a shot at advancing, though, Texas will have to stop OSU running back Ollie Gordon II, who has racked up an impressive 1,580 yards and 20 touchdowns this season.
No matter how the teams perform this weekend, the CFP committee will have tough decisions to make due to the high level of competition. Some apps offer good odds and bonuses like betMGM.