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PlayersBest.com / PlayersBest News / College Football Playoff Preview, Odds, Bets to Consider, What to Watch For

College Football Playoff Preview, Odds, Bets to Consider, What to Watch For

Publish Date: 12/30/2021
Fact checked by: David Howard

The College Football Playoff kicks off later this week in what should be fairly entertaining games with two teams in Georgia and Alabama that most expected to be there facing off against two surprising teams in Michigan and Cincinatti who have had magical seasons and will make their first CFP appearances. If you want to get in on the CFP action head over to our Offers Page where you can get a full list of new user sign up bonuses and promotions.

Game Spread

Alabama -13.5 over Cincinatti

Bryce Young

Young won the Heisman and will look to finish off the season with a National Title

Alabama is the big favorite in their matchup against Cincinatti, as there are still plenty of questions about the Bearcat’s strength of schedule as they head into what will likely be a physical mismatch. Cincinnati did pull off an early-season win on the road against Notre Dame in a game not many gave them a chance in and they did play very well in last year’s Peach Bowl where they only lost by 3 to Georgia. Cincinnati has one of the best QB’s in the country that not many have heard of, Desmond Ridder, who will likely be a top ten draft pick later this spring. I like Cincinatti to put points up on the board against a young Alabama defense and I think they will cover the 13.5 point spread.

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Georgia -7.5 vs. Michigan

Get Michigan +7.5

The Georgia defense got a wake-up call against Alabama in the SEC title game after many were discussing them as having one of the top defenses in college football history after allowing no more than 17 points throughout the regular season. Alabama was able to get out to an early lead in the SEC title game and put Georgia on their heels and rely on a passing game that looked questionable throughout the game. I think Michigan will take a very similar approach in the game and try to get points on the board early and make Georgia play from behind. I like Michigan to keep this game close and cover the spread and ultimately pull of the upset in what should be a very entertaining game.

Top Storylines

Jim Harbaugh’s Revenge Tour

Jim Harbaugh

Harbaugh has the Wolverines knocking on the door of a national title

Jim Harbaugh was thought to be a dead man walking heading into this season after 5 consecutive losses to Ohio State. Harbaugh is a Michigan Man and willingly took a pay cut in the offseason and hired new coordinators on both sides of the ball. The results of a less hands-on Harbaugh have been remarkable as Harbaugh can focus his efforts on bringing in top talent to Ann Arbour and compete at the highest levels like they showed they can do against Ohio State.

Check out the latest CFP Odds and Prop Bets:

How good is Cincinatti?

Ever since the creation of the College Football Playoffs smaller schools outside of the Power 5 have made noise to get one of their top schools into the Final Four. Cincinnati has broken through the glass ceiling and will have the ultimate opportunity to show they belong with the elite when they take on national title favorite Alabama. Head Coach Luke Fickell was sought after by many big-time programs in the offseason but he decided to stick around at Cincinatti where he seems to be building a top-tier program in talent-rich Ohio.

Can Georgia Rebound?

Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia will look to rebound after a poor showing in the SEC title

Georgia got its bell rung by Alabama in the SEC title and that could be exactly what this team needed before they head into the CFP. It’s very difficult to beat the same team twice and you have to wonder if Alabama and Georgia end up facing off against one another in the National Championship game if the Bulldogs will have a much better game plan the second time around. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Georgia enter that game as a slight favorite based on the revenge factor that most teams typically thrive on when they face a team the second time in a season.

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