There’s only one chance left for teams to prove they have what it takes to play in the College Football Playoff. All of the conference championship games will be played in Week 14, and the games on Saturday will ultimately decide which teams will get the chance to play for the National Championship.
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The Numbers
0: The number of one-score games this year that Miami lost. The Hurricanes went a perfect 4-0 in these close calls in the regular season, a far cry from the team’s 0-3 record in said games last year. The ACC Championship Game is expected to be yet another close game, and that could play right into the hands of Mark Richt’s club. Then again, the Canes are fresh off of a loss for the first time this year. Last season, “The U” went just 1-3 SU and ATS in games off of a loss, and the one game it ultimately won ironically came against the same Pittsburgh team that handed it its first loss of the season.
4: The number of consecutive games the Buckeyes have failed to cover as single-digit favorites. Ohio State was very fortunate to beat Penn State earlier this year in a season-saving win over Penn State, and it was beaten as a single-digit favorite against Oklahoma. The Buckeyes might have two losses and very well could be playing without J.T. Barrett against Wisconsin, but there’s a good chance they’re going to be favored in this game when the initial spread comes out later this week.
8: The number of consecutive games the SEC West has won in the SEC Championship Game. West teams are 7-1 ATS in that span, and most of the games haven’t been all that close. This Georgia team, though, is one of the better teams to play in the SEC Championship Game out of the East in quite a while. The Bulldogs and Tigers are playing in a de facto national quarterfinal, a game that will put one of these two teams into the College Football Playoff. With Alabama out of the way, the SEC finally has two newcomers who haven’t seen this stage in four years playing against each other.
27: The number of points Florida State is favored by over Louisiana Monroe, making it the biggest favorite on the board in Week 14. The Seminoles originally lost this home date due to Hurricane Irma, but it became imperative for them to get back on the field on the last week of the season to reach bowl eligibility. The garnet and gold have reached a bowl in 35 straight seasons, the longest active streak in college football, and they’re huge favorites to continue that now that they’ve successfully rescheduled this game against the Warhawks.
38: The number of points Oklahoma scored in the first half against TCU when these two teams played a few weeks ago in Norman. Baker Mayfield was outrageous in the first half, leading the team to five touchdowns drives. Of course, in the second half, things calmed down for the Sooners, but the damage was already done to give them the regular season title in the Big XII.
Opening Week 14 College Football Odds
Idaho at Georgia State (OFF)
UL Lafayette at Appalachian State (-15, 57.5)
Georgia Southern at Coastal Carolina (OFF)
Troy at Arkansas State (-2, 57.5)
South Alabama at New Mexico State (-8.5, 55)
North Texas at Florida Atlantic (-10, 74.5)
Memphis at Central Florida (-7, 81)
Akron vs. Toledo (-18.5, 54)
Georgia vs. Auburn (-3, 51)
Boise State at Fresno State (+8.5, 48)
Miami vs. Clemson (-7.5, 48)
Ohio State vs. Wisconsin (+5.5, 53.5)
Massachusetts at Florida International (-2, 55)
UL Monroe at Florida State (-27, 64.5)
TCU vs. Oklahoma (-7, 61.5)
(Odds Courtesy of BookMaker.eu)
