Here we go, folks! The final rankings for the College Football Playoff were recently released and four teams remain in the hunt to try and win the National Championship in January. This feels like a wide open race, though there are a couple teams who figure to be among the fan favorites betting wise. In this piece, we have NCAA picks for the 2021 College Football Playoff, as the semifinals are right around the corner.
• What: Cotton Bowl
• When: Friday, Dec. 31
• Who: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Cincinnati
• Where: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
It goes without saying, but Alabama is the big-time favorite going up against Cincinnati in this National Semifinal. The game is all set to be played at ‘Jerry’s World’ in Texas. Alabama enters things as the No. 1 seed, while Cincinnati is the No. 4 seed. Again, this isn’t stunning, as the Crimson Tide are looking like the best team in the country and the Bearcats are the only non Power-5 team in the hunt.
Alabama’s confidence is riding high right now. In the SEC Championship Game going up against Georgia, the Bulldogs were the favorites, as they were a perfect 12-0. Alabama had just snuck by Auburn in the Iron Bowl the week before too, so it felt like the momentum was on Georgia’s side. As we all know by now, Alabama went on to record an unreal performance.
Bryce Young looked sharp, as the quarterback threw for 421 yards and three touchdowns. While some people had come after him for struggling against Auburn, he really bounced back against Georgia. Meanwhile for Cincinnati, they are undefeated, but they don’t have the kind of schedule Alabama, Georgia or Michigan goes through each season. Because of this, many out there aren’t giving them a chance.
According to the best rated online sportsbooks, Alabama holds unreal -620 NCAAF odds for this semifinal matchup. For Cincinnati, they are checking in at +430. Nick Saban’s guys won’t overlook the Bearcats for this meeting, but it would be one of the biggest upsets ever if Cincinnati wins. We don’t think that will happen, which is why we’re going with Alabama as our pick.
• What: Orange Bowl
• When: Friday, Dec. 31
• Who: No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 Georgia
• Where: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
In the other National Semifinal, No. 2 Michigan and No. 3 Georgia will be facing off at the Orange Bowl over in Florida. While this game is expected to be a little closer, people really think Georgia will be ready to rock going up against Michigan when they do battle. Georgia will also have plenty of revenge on its mind after they were embarrassed in the SEC title game vs. Alabama.
People really thought that Kirby Smart’s guys would be able to put on a show, but Stetson Bennett was outplayed by Young in that tough loss. Now, though, Georgia knows that they can set up a potential rematch with Alabama in the natty if they can get by Michigan. That of course won’t be too easy, as Jim Harbaugh’s players are ready to try and stun UGA here.
Michigan won the Big Ten title in impressive fashion. To close out the regular season, the Wolverines also ended their long losing streak against Ohio State by taking down the Buckeyes in late November. That was a monster relief for Wolverines fans everywhere. Matter of fact, it really gave them hope to try and win it all this year. Will they be able to beat Georgia first?
As things stand, Georgia is a huge favorite. UGA has been given -320 College Football Playoff odds for this semi. Meanwhile for Michigan, their odds have been set at +245. While Michigan has been tremendous this year and they did beat Ohio State, playing against Georgia will be a different kind of challenge. We think the Bulldogs will be able to cruise to an easy win. Georgia is our pick.
While we’re still waiting for these two National Semifinals to get underway, that doesn’t mean it isn’t too early to think about the championship showdown. If you ask us, we think that this will be an all-SEC affair, with Alabama and Georgia being the ones to meet for all of the marbles. With that, Alabama is the odds-on favorite to win the National Championship.
This would be a natty rematch from when Alabama beat Georgia in dramatic fashion a few years back. Remember when Tua Tagovailoa tossed the walk-off touchdown pass against the Bulldogs? Sure you do. That one was a stunner and there would of course be plenty of drama if the two teams were to face off again in January. Should that happen, millions of people would be watching.
When taking a look at the futures odds, Alabama is No. 1 at +120, while Georgia is right behind them at +130. If they do meet for the title, which we think will happen, this could prove to be one of the best games in recent seasons. It’d be a game that folks would be getting ready to talk about for a long time. So, who will win it all? It’s tough, but we’re going to go with Alabama as our pick.
