National Championship Odds Update After Week 13: Can Alabama Squeak Into The Semi-Final?

• BetOnline still views the national title as a toss-up between Ohio State (+175), LSU (+250) and Clemson (+250) 
  
• Georgia (+800), Alabama (+1000) and Oklahoma (+1600) are fighting for the final spot in the College Football Playoff
• The Crimson Tide’s CFP chances were boosted by Oregon’s upset loss in Week 13
  

Playing to “win the game”, Herm Edwards’ Arizona State Sun Devils knocked the Oregon Ducks out of postseason contention on Saturday night with a 31-28 victory.

With the Ducks’ hopes now dead, the last remaining spot in the College Football Playoff will almost certainly go to Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, or Utah, with one of those schools joining Ohio State, LSU and Clemson in the four-team tournament that will get underway on Dec. 28, 2019.

Let’s check the latest national championship odds at BetOnline and look at the road ahead for both the contenders and the sure-things.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF CERTAINTIES

While much has been made of Clemson’s soft schedule, Ohio State (+175) has largely received a pass from the media despite rolling over sub-par programs on a weekly basis. Their easy ride finally came to an end on Saturday when the Buckeyes coughed up three fumbles in a tight 28-17 win over No. 8 Penn State.

Next up is a trip to the Big House to play rival Michigan before a Big Ten matchup with Wisconsin or Minnesota. A split would likely be enough to land a CFP berth, but a loss to the Wolverines would sure make things interesting.

Chase Young’s highlights from today ? #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/jSlPn6gTB5

— Buckeye Videos+ (@BuckeyeVideos) November 23, 2019

With LSU (+250) and Clemson (+275) each topping 50 points in Week 13 blowout victories, we’ve moved one-step closer to a playoff featuring two teams nicknamed the Tigers.

Wrapping up their schedule with 4–7 South Carolina before facing a potential four-loss team in the ACC championship game, Dabo Swinney’s crew is a near-lock to be undefeated heading into the semi-final.

Meanwhile, Joe Burrow will wrap up his Heisman campaign with what should be an easy W against Texas A&M before battling the Bulldogs in the SEC championship game.

THREE TEAMS FIGHT FOR FINAL SPOT

For Georgia (+800), everything rides on the result of that SEC championship game. A win over Ed Orgeron’s undefeated LSU squad would sew up the fourth seed, but after yet another anemic offensive showing in a 19-13 victory over Texas A&M, it’s hard to believe they’ll be up for the challenge.

Updating the numbers we shared last week, Bulldogs quarterback Jake Fromm has only accounted for 17 touchdowns this year. That’s downright ugly when compared to the the video-game totals put up by Burrow (44), Justin Fields (43) and Jalen Hurts (47).

Jalen Hurts is now the 3rd player in major college football history with 3,000 Pass yds and 1,000 Rush yds in the first 11 games of a season, joining Lamar Jackson & Johnny Manziel.

Jackson (2016) and Manziel (2012) would go on to win the Heisman Trophy. pic.twitter.com/OF2LSf7A2K

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 24, 2019

Speaking of Oklahoma (+1600), Lincoln Riley’s club squeaked by TCU 28-24 on Saturday. While they only have one loss and lead the nation with 581 yards per game, they’ve won their last three games — two of which were against unranked opponents — by a total of six points.

The Sooners will need to be more impressive the next two weeks against No. 21 Oklahoma State and then No. 11 Baylor in the Big 12 championship game.

Alabama (+1000) also stands in Oklahoma’s way, of course. The Crimson Tide’s odds shortened from +1400 last week following Oregon’s defeat. A decisive win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl this Saturday will further bolster their case.

Assuming Georgia loses to LSU in two weeks and Oklahoma wins out, the CFP committee will have a difficult decision on their hands between the high-flying Sooners and an Alabama team playing without their star quarterback.