Tag: NCAAF

College Football Betting Guide: 5 Best Big Game Bets – Week 14

Breaking down the five best big college football games for Week 14; including college football picks, betting odds and more.

What’s going to happen in the five biggest games in Week 14 of the college football season?

– Contact/Follow @PeteFiutak

If you’re looking to get in on the sports betting action this weekend, be sure to sign up with BetMGM to take part in any of these games or other action on the schedule.

5. Texas A&M at LSU

Photo Credit: Stephen Lew – USA TODAY Sports

BetMGM Line: LSU -17.5, o/u: 64

Why You Should Bet On Texas A&M: Can Kellen Mond and the Texas A&M passing game go off? LSU’s secondary has had problems in firefights with a defense ranked 43rd in the country. The pass defense has allowed 200 or more yards seven times, and got hit for over 400 against Texas and Alabama – Mond should have a huge day.

Why You Should Bet On LSU: Texas A&M has the defense, the style, and the makeup to make this close and interesting, but it hasn’t shown the ability to come through against any of the great teams on the schedule, and Mond hasn’t shown the consistency needed to win a game like this. LSU has a still-hot Joe Burrow with no real pressure on him to win this, and RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been the type of back with the ability to take over in a game like this.

Prediction: It’s not going to be the 74-72, seven-overtime thriller of last year. It’ll be a tight defensive battle for a while, and then LSU will pull away in the second half to get the win, but Texas A&M will cover.
– CFN Full Texas A&M at LSU Game Preview & Prediction

4. Oklahoma at Oklahoma State

Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj – USA TODAY Sports

BetMGM Line: Oklahoma -13.5, o/u: 68

Why You Should Bet On Oklahoma: It’s been lost a bit in all of the close games, but Oklahoma is still No. 1 in the Big 12 in both total offense and total defense. This team needs to make a statement before going off to the Big 12 Championship, and it might do it against a wounded Oklahoma State team missing a few key offensive parts. The Cowboys have no answer for Jalen Hurts.

Why You Should Bet On Oklahoma State: This Oklahoma team is just begging to get tagged. It lost to Kansas State when a late rally fell short, needed a big two-point stop to get by Iowa State, an epic comeback to beat Baylor, and a late defensive hold to get by TCU. It might be able to win this, but it’s playing every game close, so …

Prediction: Oklahoma State can win this outright, let alone cover the 13.5 points. QB Dru Brown will be fine despite a banged-up thumb, RB Chuba Hubbard and the running game will roll, and the Cowboys will cover without a problem.

– CFN Full Oklahoma at Oklahoma State Game Preview & Prediction

BetMGM BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL

BET $1, WIN $250 in free bets if ANY NFL team scores a touchdown Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. Bet now and win!
Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.

3. Wisconsin at Minnesota 

Photo Credit: David Banks – USA TODAY Sports

BetMGM Line: Wisconsin -3, o/u: 45

Why You Should Bet On Wisconsin: It’s supposed to be around 35 degrees with a fun mixture of snow and rain. Who’s better equipped to handle the ground-and-pound game than Wisconsin? Jonathan Taylor might not be busting out too many big runs, but he’s going to be fed the ball 30-plus times in the horrible conditions, as the Badgers dominate the clock.

Why You Should Bet On Minnesota: Turnovers. All of a sudden, Wisconsin has issues hanging on to the ball, going a plus-9 over the first six games in the turnover margin, and minus-8 in the last five. Tanner Morgan and the Minnesota passing game have just enough to produce in the bad conditions, and the weather won’t help the Badgers stop screwing up.

Prediction: It won’t be pretty, but the atmosphere will be crazy even with the bad weather. LOVE the Under, and like Minnesota pulling this off with a few key takeaways and a sharper all-around game.
– CFN Full Wisconsin at Minnesota Game Preview & Prediction

2. Alabama at Auburn

Photo Credit: John David Mercer – USA TODAY Sports

BetMGM Line: Alabama -3, o/u: 49.5

Why You Should Bet On Alabama: It’s all up to Mac Jones. It’s not like the Tide dragged its starting quarterback out of psych class to come in and take over – the guy can play. He still has NFL talent all around him, and it’s all working behind what might be the best O line yet under Nick Saban. On the other side, the D takes the ball away in bunches.

Why You Should Bet On Auburn: The defense doesn’t allow much of anything. It was able to keep LSU to 23 points, Oregon to 21, Florida to 24, and Georgia to 21. This team knows how to play close games, its defense is fantastic at not breaking when it bends, and overall, it gets to play loose and free. The pressure isn’t on Alabama to just win; it needs to win by a lot to look good for the playoff committee.

Prediction: Alabama needs to be impressive to stay in the playoff chase. It might not be its normal explosive self, but it’ll be ruthlessly efficient as it covers without a problem.
– CFN Full Alabama at Auburn Game Preview & Prediction

1. Ohio State at Michigan

Photo Credit: Joe Maiorana – USA TODAY Sports

BetMGM Line: Ohio State -9, o/u: 50

Why You Should Bet On Ohio State: The defense is No. 1 in the country – by a whole lot. 2011 Alabama finished the season allowing 184 yards per game. Since then, no team has ended a year allowing under 250 yards per game. Ohio State’s D is giving up 217 yards per game. And now it’s playing Michigan with a healthy and energized Chase Young. Ramp up the intensity level several notches.

Why You Should Bet On Michigan: Michigan’s run defense has become a brick wall. Early on in the year, the Wolverines faced Army’s ground game and Wisconsin in back-to-back weeks, giving up 559 yards in the two games. It has allowed 539 rushing yards in the last eight games. It’s going to keep the Buckeyes from taking off.

Prediction: The defenses will rule for most of the day, but Ohio State will make the few plays in the second half needed to survive. The Buckeyes win, but Michigan will cover the 9.
– CFN Full Ohio State at Michigan Game Preview & Prediction

Now that you know what you need to know, head over to BetMGM and get some action in any — or all — of these games for Week 14 of college football.

For more coverage on Week 14’s College Football slate of sports betting action, be sure to check out CollegeFootballNews.com. And for more sports betting tips and picks, be sure to access SportsbookWire.com.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1623]

Virginia snaps 15-game losing streak against Virginia Tech with thrilling finish

This incredible sack-fumble-TD sequence helped Virginia get the W.

With one incredible defensive play with about a minute left in the game, Virginia all but ensured it would snap its 15-game losing streak to Virginia Tech on Friday. The Cavaliers did, in fact, win, 39-30, to clinch the ACC Coastal division, and they’ll play Clemson for a conference championship next weekend.

Virginia kicked back-to-back field goals in the fourth quarter against the Hokies, and the second one was a 48-yarder that gave the Cavaliers a 33-30 lead with 1:23 left in the game. All they had to do was hold on, which seemed far easier said than done.

But on Virginia Tech’s next drive, quarterback Hendon Hooker was sacked three times. With 61 seconds left, UVA defensive end Mandy Alonso tackled Hooker in the end zone and forced a fumble, and defensive tackle Eli Hanback recovered it for what was basically the game-ending touchdown.

Here’s another angle:

Alonso entered Friday’s game with just one sack on the season, but he stepped up when it mattered most.

While defense helped the Cavaliers lock up the victory, their offense deserves recognition as well. Quarterback Bryce Perkins accounted for 475 of the team’s 492 total yards, completing 20-of-33 passes for 311 yards with one touchdown and an interception while also rushing for 164 yards and two more touchdowns.

Understandably, Virginia fans went nuts when the game was finally over and stormed the field. To put this win in perspective, the younger members of the school’s student body were toddlers the last time the Cavaliers took down Virginia Tech.

Virginia is the seventh different Coastal division winner in as many years, while Clemson is looking for its fifth consecutive ACC championship.

Here’s how college football Twitter reacted to UVA’s win.

[jwplayer Vfcpg2IG-q2aasYxh]

[opinary poll=”does-the-college-football-playoff-need-t” customer=”forthewin”]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393249]

Tim Tebow on why Michigan won’t upset Ohio State

Tim Tebow explained why he thinks Ohio State has something to prove.

A handful of people in sports media are picking No. 13 Michigan to upset No. 1 Ohio State in Saturday’s regular-season finale game, but Tim Tebow isn’t among them. (Neither is For The Win.)

The Buckeyes are 9.5-point favorites on the road in Ann Arbor with the nation’s top-ranked scoring offense and defense and have already clinched the Big Ten East. They’ll play for the conference championship whether or not they beat Michigan, but remaining undefeated could help them secure the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.

Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner who’s now an ESPN analyst, explained on First Take on Friday why, despite Michigan’s obvious improvements throughout the 2019 season, he doesn’t think the Wolverines can upset Ohio State at home.

While still giving Michigan the credit it’s earned so far, Tebow detailed why he doesn’t believe Jim Harbaugh’s team will win:

“I think it’s very helpful that they get them at home, but I don’t think it’s likely they’re going to get the win. I think Ohio State is playing the most complete football in the country right now. You have a Heisman Trophy candidate on offense and defense — Justin Fields, Chase Young. They’re deep, they’re athletic. And listen, they’re not going to go in there and take Michigan lightly.

“And I know Michigan’s getting better, and they’re improving, and they are a good football team. But Ohio State is on a mission this year. And Ryan Day is out to prove something: That he’s not just a follower of Urban Meyer, but he is actually the next great coach in college football. I think Ohio State really wants to prove something.”

After a challenging start to the season and an early 35-14 loss to Wisconsin, Michigan seems to have finally found its groove. Since losing to Penn State in mid-October, the Wolverines are on a four-game win streak of all blowouts. But the Buckeyes have only looked beatable for basically one quarter of the whole season, and they still topped the Nittany Lions last week, 28-17. They also have a 73.9 percent chance to beat Michigan, according to ESPN’s FPI.

In this rivalry matchup, Ohio State has won 14 of the last 15 games against Michigan, including seven consecutively, which means Harbaugh is 0-4 against the Buckeyes as the head coach.

Stephen A. Smith asked Tebow what he thinks of Harbaugh’s first five seasons coaching the Wolverines with his record against Ohio State in mind. Tebow said:

“I don’t want to knock Coach Harbaugh. It’s not like he’s done a terrible job. I would say it’s been good, but it’s just been good. Hasn’t been really good, hasn’t been great. There’s never been a year where you thought this Michigan team is contending for a true championship, meaning a national championship. And at Michigan, I think that’s what you’ve got to compete for.

“I don’t think he should lose his job. I think he should be there, but you can’t say anything more than that. It’s been good. It’s been fine.”

The Ohio State-Michigan game kicks off Saturday at noon ET on FOX.

[jwplayer Vfcpg2IG-q2aasYxh]

[opinary poll=”will-ohio-state-win-the-national-champio” customer=”forthewin”]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393249]

Derrick Henry’s Titans teammate interrupts interview by blasting Auburn’s Kick Six call

SO GOOD.

It’s impossible to think about the Iron Bowl without remembering the craziness of the Kick Six in the 2013 Alabama-Auburn game.

But on the off chance Tennessee Titans linebacker Daren Bates’ teammates forgot what happened, the Auburn alum was happy to remind them. While former Alabama running back Derrick Henry spoke to the media Thursday, Bates offered up a soundtrack for his teammate’s interview.

He interrupted Henry’s interview by blasting the radio call of the Kick Six, when Alabama attempted to break the tie with what would have been a 57-yard field goal for the win. Instead, the Crimson Tide missed the kick, and Auburn cornerback Chris Davis was waiting in the end zone, caught the ball and returned it for the game-winning touchdown and Iron Bowl immortality.

Auburn won, 34-28, in surely the wildest ending to the Iron Bowl and one of the greatest plays in college football history.

Henry said there has been trash talking in the Titans’ locker room all week, adding: “I love it though. We’ll after see Saturday how he feels.”

But that wasn’t the only thing Bates did this week to troll his Alabama alum Titans teammates. As linebacker Rashaan Evans spoke with the media, Bates hilariously played the Auburn fight song and danced in the background.

And the Titans Twitter account also shared photos of Henry and Evans during practice with Auburn signs on their backs with “War. Damn. Eagle.” written on them.

No. 5 Alabama takes on No. 15 Auburn on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET in a game the Crimson Tide need to win to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.

[jwplayer Vfcpg2IG-q2aasYxh]

[opinary poll=”will-lsu-win-the-national-championship_f” customer=”forthewin”]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393249]

Why Ohio State, LSU and Clemson will remain unbeaten this weekend

Will the College Football Playoff feature three undefeated teams?

For the second straight week, Ohio State, LSU and Clemson are college football’s only remaining undefeated teams, and we’re predicting they keep their perfect records in Week 14 in their final regular-season games of the season.

We always want to see chaos and wild upsets, but with the way these top-3 powerhouse teams have been playing in the last several weeks, losses seem particularly unlikely.

With victories Saturday, Ohio State, LSU and Clemson will remain undefeated going into their respective conference title games next weekend, which means there’s a good chance three of the four College Football Playoff teams won’t have a loss. Last year, there were four overall unbeaten teams going into bowl season (Clemson, Alabama, Notre Dame and UCF), three were in the playoff and Clemson was the only one to finish with a perfect 15-0 record — and a national championship, of course.

And with three almost certainly playoff-bound teams without a loss yet, we could be looking at another undefeated national champ.

So ahead of Week 14’s games, here are our predictions for how the three remaining undefeated teams will play. They’re based on their upcoming opponents, how they’ve played so far, the College Football Playoff rankings and ESPN’s Football Power Index projections.

(All games are on Saturday unless otherwise noted.)

No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes 11-0

Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Wins: Florida Atlantic, Cincinnati, Indiana, Miami (Ohio), Nebraska, Michigan State, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Maryland, Rutgers, Penn State
Chance of winning out: 64.1 percent
Week 14 game: Michigan (Noon ET, FOX)
Undefeated after Week 14: Yes

For the first time this season, the Buckeyes were tested and survived. In what was their smallest margin of victory this season, they beat Penn State, 28-17, to keep their perfect record intact in their first of two big tests to close out the regular season. Ohio State has cruised through its first 11 games, while Michigan has been trending upward since its loss to the Nittany Lions in October. But despite the Wolverines playing four ranked teams so far, Ohio State is unlike any opponent they’ve faced this season.

[jwplayer Vfcpg2IG-q2aasYxh]

Going into Week 14, the Buckeyes still lead the nation averaging 49.4 points per game and are sixth in yards per game (530.4). Oh, and their defense is No. 1 in the country in points against (10.5), yards allowed (217.4) and yards per play (3.52). They’re the most balanced team in the country with three players, quarterback Justin Fields, running back J.K. Dobbins and defensive end Chase Young, in the Heisman Trophy conversation. This team is on another level, and since beating Penn State, its chance to win out — which includes the Big Ten championship game — got a big boost from 56.4 percent last week.

Even though this rivalry game is in Ann Arbor and, with momentum, Michigan is only an 9.5-point underdog, we’re still picking Ohio State to come out on top.

No. 2 LSU Tigers 11-0

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Wins: Georgia Southern, Texas, Northwestern State, Vanderbilt, Utah State, Florida, Mississippi State, Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss, Arkansas
Chance of winning out: 44.0 percent
Week 14 game: Texas A&M (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Undefeated after Week 14: Yes

In the preseason, everyone had high expectations for Texas A&M, and it was even ranked for the first seven weeks. But the Aggies have been beat up throughout a rough schedule that ends with what will surely be another tough loss to one of the best teams in the nation. Led by quarterback and Heisman frontrunner Joe Burrow, LSU’s offense has been dominant all season and enters this weekend ranked second nationally with 48.5 points and 561.1 yards per game. Burrow is on fire with the best completion percentage in the country (78.9), while running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is practically unstoppable. The Aggies’ defense — which is ranked 21st with 321.5 yards per game and gives up 4.99 yards per play — won’t be able to slow the Tigers down.

Last season’s game between these two teams ended in a wild seven-overtime shootout with Texas A&M ultimately winning, 74-72. Not this year. Although LSU’s defense isn’t the commanding force fans have come to expect over the years, it should be enough to hold off the Aggies’ offense, which is averaging 419.6 yards per game (57th nationally) and relies heavily on quarterback Kellen Mond, who has only a 63.5 completion percentage.

LSU is a 17-point favorite at home, “where opponents’ dreams come to die.”

No. 3 Clemson Tigers 11-0

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Wins: Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, Syracuse, Charlotte, North Carolina, Florida State, Louisville, Boston College, Wofford, NC State, Wake Forest
Chance of winning out: 87.7 percent
Week 14 game: South Carolina (Noon ET, ESPN)
Undefeated after Week 14: Yes

Here’s the thing about this matchup: If Clemson and South Carolina played each other in mid-October when the Tigers’ one-point win over UNC was fresh in everyone’s minds and the Gamecocks had just upset Georgia in overtime, we’d probably have a different answer about which team wins. But since the defending national champs’ iffy start to the season, they’ve absolutely wrecked the rest of their schedule with the No. 3 offense and No. 2 defense. Their margin of victory is more than 35 points, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence has a 27-8 touchdown-interception ratio and hasn’t been picked off since October 19. Clemson struggled early but recovered nicely, even if it does play a relatively weak schedule that currently features no ranked opponents.

And even if the Tigers were still having issues, we have no idea which South Carolina team is going to show up Saturday. Will it be the one that beat playoff-hopeful Georgia or the one that lost to Appalachian State (don’t ever pick against Appalachian State)?

Regardless, Clemson’s got this as a 27.5-point favorite on the road.

[jwplayer SaUsBquR-q2aasYxh]

[opinary poll=”does-the-college-football-playoff-need-t” customer=”forthewin”]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393249]

3 key games that could impact the CFP picture in Week 14

What a loss in the final regular-season games could mean for teams like Alabama and Ohio State.

Welcome to Before The Snap, For The Win’s college football show where we’ll break down the sport’s trending storylines, examine each week’s biggest matchups and track the College Football Playoff and Heisman Trophy races.

For the College Football Playoff contenders, Week 14’s games are the last on their regular-season schedules. Not everyone needs to win to keep their conference championship and playoff hopes alive, but, obviously, no one wants to lose.

There are several games with playoff implications this weekend, and they’re even more fun because so many are rivalry matchups. But we’re breaking down three of the biggest and potentially most entertaining games that could impact the playoff picture.

No. 5 Alabama (10-1) at No. 15 Auburn (8-3)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn
TV channel: CBS
Spread: Alabama -3

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn closes out its brutal schedule with the Iron Bowl and is still looking to be a spoiler — and that’s what fans of other playoff bubble teams should be rooting for. With three losses, the Tigers aren’t playoff contenders at this point, but they could ruin Alabama’s shot and help keep the Crimson Tide out of the playoff for the first time since this format was implemented in 2014.

Alabama’s only loss of the season so far was to LSU earlier this month, and while that is keeping it from competing for an SEC championship, the playoff is still very much an option. But the Crimson Tide can’t afford a second loss if they want to contend for a national championship. And, with quarterback Mac Jones filling in for injured Tua Tagovailoa, they probably have to win by a solid margin to look as appealing as possible to the selection committee.

No. 1 Ohio State (11-0) at No. 13 Michigan (9-2)

When: Saturday, Noon ET
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor
TV channel: FOX
Spread: Ohio State -9.5

As arguably the most balanced team in the country, Ohio State is on fire and cruising toward the College Football Playoff. And the discussion around it is more about getting the No. 1 seed over LSU, which is currently ranked No. 2, rather than whether or not it will make the playoff.

A loss for the Buckeyes actually wouldn’t mean a lot in terms of the playoff (but obviously, the rivalry is a different story). They’ve already clinched the Big Ten East and will play in the conference championship game no matter what. It would eliminate any wiggle room, should they lose the Big Ten title game, and could keep them from being one of the top-2 seeds. But Ohio State as a one-loss conference champ is getting in the playoff this year.

No. 12 Wisconsin (9-2) at No. 8 Minnesota (10-1)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV channel: ABC
Spread: Wisconsin -2.5

These two teams are fighting for a shot at the Big Ten title and a chance to try to upset Ohio State in Indianapolis next weekend. Both teams are still longshots to make the playoff and would likely have to win the conference championship game to get in, but with so much on the line, this game could get really good.

[opinary poll=”does-the-college-football-playoff-need-t” customer=”forthewin”]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393249]

A reminder that doing the dog urinating touchdown celebration is costly

A brief history of the celebration and what has happened as a result.

We here at For The Win are all for awesome touchdown celebrations.

But! If you do the dog peeing celebration, you may have to remind yourself that it’s going to be costly.

Just ask Ole Miss wide receiver Elijah Moore. He got into the end zone in the final seconds of the 2019 Egg Bowl against Mississippi State and proceeded to lift his leg. That got the attention of officials, who flagged him 15 yards for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty … and kicker Luke Logan missed the extra point. (You can listen to Russian broadcasters laughing about it.)

That’s a reminder that another Ole Miss receiver, D.K. Metcalf, did the same thing against Mississippi State in 2017, and he was flagged for 15 yards. Granted, it was a situation in which the Rebels were up 24-6 (that was the Breeland Speaks Wave Game) in what would be a 31-28 upset.

And of course, we then have to go back to then-New York Giants receiver earlier that year, who did the original celebration that angered a lot of people including radio host Mike Francesa. He was flagged, and on top of that, the NFL fined him for $12,154 after what he did after his score against the Philadelphia Eagles:

So while you might find the celebration humorous, just remember officials don’t agree.

[jwplayer tRDipLal-q2aasYxh]

Ole Miss’ disastrous Egg Bowl ending is even better with Russian announcers

What a wild ending to this rivalry game!

Thursday’s rivalry game between Ole Miss and Mississippi State, also known as the Egg Bowl, ended in one of the most absurd ways possible.

With just four seconds left as Ole Miss was down by seven, wide receiver Elijah Moore caught a two-yard touchdown pass. The extra point would have tied the game at 21-21 and likely sent it into overtime for an extra serving of college football on Thanksgiving.

But Moore’s touchdown celebration was too much. After crossing the goal line, Moore went down on his hands and knees and lifted his right leg, mimicking a dog urinating on the field. For that he received an excessive celebration penalty, which pushed the kicker going for the game-tying extra point back.

And then kicker Luke Logan missed, and Mississippi State won, 21-20, in one of the most ridiculous college football finishes ever.

This moment is even better if you listen to Russian announcers calling it. These guys were absolutely flabbergasted — like just about everyone else watching, really — that this sequence of events actually happened.

And then when Logan misses the extra point, one announcer couldn’t even try to contain his laughter and loses it.

Just incredible.

Mississippi State is now 6-6 and bowl-eligible this season, while Ole Miss fell to 4-8. There’s no guarantee the Rebels would have won if they made the kick and went into overtime, but it’s kind of unbelievable/amazing their season ended with a penalty for a player pretending to be a peeing dog.

[jwplayer SaUsBquR-q2aasYxh]

[opinary poll=”does-the-college-football-playoff-need-t” customer=”forthewin”]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393249]

Charting the path to the College Football Playoff for every contender

From the top-3 teams to Baylor and Utah, here’s a guide to the CFP scenarios.

Although the College Football Playoff race this season seems a bit less complicated than previous seasons, it’s still challenging to keep track of which teams need to win or lose and when if your team is on the bubble.

Generally, regardless of which team you root for, you want the top-3 teams, Ohio State, LSU and Clemson, to win out because if they lose, depending on which team it’s to, they could still make the playoff and take the fourth spot. For example, if LSU loses to Georgia in the SEC championship game, both teams could get in, which is not ideal for everyone else. Though unlikely, the same could be true if Ohio State’s only loss is, say, to 12-1 Minnesota.

So ahead of the final regular-season games for the playoff hopefuls with conference championship matchups looming, here’s a guide to help you keep track of which teams to root for and against in the next couple weeks.

If you cheer for Ohio State, LSU or Clemson…

Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports

Obviously, this one is pretty simple. The top-3 teams are in total control, on 11-game win streaks going into Week 14 and have at least an 86 percent chance to make the playoff. All they have to do is keep winning, and they’re in the College Football Playoff. And realistically, Ohio State could lose to Michigan and LSU could lose to Texas A&M, and they likely would both still make it as one-loss conference champions.

With its strength of schedule, Clemson is probably the only team that cannot afford to lose either this weekend against South Carolina or in the ACC title game to have a shot at defending its national championship.

However, for these three fan bases, you also want to probably want to root for Auburn to beat Alabama this weekend, which would hand the Crimson Tide their second loss and probably keep them out of the playoff for the first time. An Alabama loss wouldn’t help ensure Ohio State, LSU or Clemson contend for a title, but come on: Do you really want to have to deal with Alabama in the playoff?

[jwplayer SaUsBquR-q2aasYxh]

If you cheer for Georgia…

You want everyone else to lose and lose multiple times. The Bulldogs are 28.5-point favorites against Georgia Tech on Saturday, so that game really shouldn’t be an issue. But to make the playoff, they will likely have to upset LSU in the SEC championship game, which college football math suggests isn’t actually that outrageous of a goal. The Tigers currently have a 52.4 percent chance to beat Georgia, according to ESPN’s FPI, which makes this game basically a coin toss and probably a big reason why the Bulldogs currently have a 50 percent chance to make the playoff.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

But Georgia will also want a backup plan, however unlikely it may be. If it loses a close SEC championship game and finishes 11-2, it could possibly still make the playoff if the selection committee views it relatively favorably compared with potential two-loss conference champions around the country.

Bulldogs fans should root for Alabama to lose to Auburn and Minnesota to lose to Wisconsin, in addition to two-loss Big 12 and Pac-12 winners. Since it seems unlikely that Baylor will fall to Kansas this week, the best bet is for Oklahoma to lose to Oklahoma State for its second defeat of the season but then win the Big 12 championship game. And then in the Pac-12, you want two-loss Oregon to beat likely Utah in the title game. (If Utah loses to Colorado this weekend, USC will represent the Pac-12 South, which means the conference will have a two-loss champ either way.)

If you cheer for Alabama…

You want to beat Auburn, obviously, and then sit back and watch the college football world burn so your team’s 47 percent chance to make the playoff gets a boost. You need the top-3 teams to win out and maintain their positions, but you especially want LSU to beat Georgia in the SEC championship game.

From there, you’re cheering for Georgia’s backup plan. You want as many playoff contenders as possible, particularly the conference champions, to have a less favorable resume than the Crimson Tide. And, if the top-3 teams win out, Alabama probably will be up against Georgia, Oklahoma, Baylor and Utah for that final playoff spot. So two losses for everyone!

If you cheer for Utah…

And your team doesn’t beat Colorado, none of this matters. Utah lost to USC, currently second in the Pac-12 South, back in September. So another loss would put it in a tie with the Trojans, who would then win the tiebreaker. But Utah is a 28.5-point favorite over the Buffaloes, and if it does, it will advance to the Pac-12 championship game. Beat Oregon and win the conference, and it will look pretty good to the selection committee as a one-loss champ.

But for good measure, Utah fans should also root for Alabama to lose to Auburn and for a two-loss Big 12 winner, which would certainly help it in the eyes of the committee.

If you cheer for Oklahoma or Baylor…

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

You’ve got a one-loss team with a shot at the conference title. But first, Oklahoma needs to beat Oklahoma State, and Baylor needs to beat Kansas in Week 14. They could both lose and still play in the conference championship game, but they’d probably be eliminated from the playoff picture.

Both fan bases want their team to emerge as a one-loss Big 12 champion, and the best-case scenario would also include a decisive victory. But to all but ensure a playoff berth, fans should also root for Auburn over Alabama and a two-loss Pac-12 winner, which would likely Oregon.

If you cheer for Minnesota or Wisconsin…

You’re probably excited/very nervous about their Big Ten West matchup Saturday because the winner will play Ohio State in the conference title game. Wisconsin is a slim 3-point favorite in Minneapolis.

Now, both teams have ridiculously low chances to make the playoff with Wisconsin at just two percent and Minnesota at one percent. However, if the winner of Saturday’s game can ultimately upset Ohio State, it might be hard for the selection committee to deny it a playoff spot — especially if we’re talking about a one-loss Minnesota team. In that scenario, it seems like the Buckeyes would still get in if that’s their only loss, so the committee really couldn’t justify putting the Big Ten runner-up in without the champion.

Winning the conference is really the only hope here. A loss at any point would be Minnesota’s second and Wisconsin’s third, and that won’t earn a playoff spot without some colossal chaos around the country — and even then, it might not be enough.

If you cheer for Penn State, Florida, Michigan or Oregon…

Better luck next season.

[opinary poll=”does-the-college-football-playoff-need-t” customer=”forthewin”]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393249]

How Penn State’s, Oregon’s losses impact the College Football Playoff picture

The CFP race has been simplified.

Welcome to Before The Snap, For The Win’s college football show where we’ll break down the sport’s trending storylines, examine each week’s biggest matchups and track the College Football Playoff and Heisman Trophy races.

Two more College Football Playoff lost in Week 13, and the playoff race continues to be simplified.

Penn State lost to now-No. 1 Ohio State, while Oregon fell to Arizona State. It was the second loss of the season for both the Nittany Lions and the Ducks, which effectively ends their playoff runs. No two-loss team has ever been invited to the playoff, and for that to happen this year, the team would have to be a conference champion, and we’d need some late chaos around the other conferences. Additionally, Oregon could still win the Pac-12, but Penn State has no chance to be a conference champ.

So what’s the larger impact of Penn State’s and Oregon’s losses?

Penn State coach James Franklin  (Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports)

Behind Ohio State, LSU and Clemson — assuming the top-3 teams win out — it means that remaining fourth playoff spot will some down to Alabama, Oklahoma or Baylor and Utah.

Also, the Big Ten’s chance to go from having no teams in the last two years to two teams in is over. For a while, it seemed like the Nittany Lions could join Ohio State in the playoff if the right scenario played out, but Penn State needed to beat the Buckeyes for that to happen.

For Oregon, the loss hurts the Pac-12 in the eyes of everyone else, as it tries to push for a serious playoff contender.

But the good news is it still has Utah, which is 10-1, No. 6 in the latest playoff rankings and has a shot to win the conference title game. It still will have to beat Oregon, which isn’t looking quite as good as it was a couple weeks ago, but it might be hard to deny a one-loss Pac-12 team a shot at the playoff.

[opinary poll=”will-ohio-state-win-the-national-champio” customer=”forthewin”]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393249]