Everyone wants to make the College Football Playoff, but some teams fall just short of it. Of the teams which almost made the playoff last year, or of some teams which are viewed as being in the hunt this year but not fully trusted to get over the hump, which four teams standout?
Miami Hurricanes
The Hurricanes were able to play for a spot in the playoff last year. Had they beaten Clemson in the ACC Championship Game, they would have been a playoff team, facing either Alabama or Oklahoma in the semifinals. The reason the Canes did not beat Clemson? The Tigers were better… but Miami also entered that game beaten up by injuries. If Miami can get a little more luck in terms of being healthy, the 2018 Canes could take the extra step the 2017 team failed to take. What also has to be said is that Miami got a lot of timely takeaways in 2017. The Hurricanes were as successful as they were because their defense regularly got the ball back for the offense. This season, if Miami’s offense can take more of the burden off the defense, Miami won’t need as many takeaways to win games. If the offense improves to a modest degree, this team will once again be on the verge of a playoff berth, which would put Miami squarely in the chase for a national title.
Auburn Tigers
The Tigers beat Alabama and Georgia, the two teams which played for last season’s national title. That obviously means the Tigers had considerable talent and the ability to play with any team in the nation. This year, Auburn should be similarly good, but the doubts about this team’s ability to go all the way are legitimate. Kerryon Johnson, the foremost running back on the 2017 team, is now in the NFL. The offensive line will be rearranged. The receiver corps is in need of an upgrade and could be found lacking when the 2018 season begins. Jarrett Stidham is an experienced, talented quarterback who will give the team continuity, and Auburn’s defensive front should once again be a team strength, Auburn is not a favorite to make the playoff, but it does sit in that second tier of teams.
USC Trojans
The Trojans will be without Sam Darnold, which will take them out of the first level of national championship contenders, but they still have enough talent to be in the second level. USC has recruited really well at running back, wide receiver, defensive end and linebacker in recent years. The Trojans have done a very good job of replenishing talent. They have more speed than any other team in the Pac-12. Interestingly enough, the loss of Darnold could force the rest of the offense to step up and be more accountable together as a group. If that ideal scenario occurs, the Trojans can still make a run at the national title.
Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers are a team everyone knows will be good, winning 10 or 11 games… but can Wisconsin win 13 or 14, needed to win the national title? Wisconsin will be in the hunt, but can the Badgers beat Ohio State? The Buckeyes stopped Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game last year, and figure to have too much speed for Wisconsin this season, just as they did in 2017. Wisconsin can run the ball extremely well behind its offensive line and use play-action passing, but can the Badgers throw the ball when they have to score in a two-minute drill? That’s what they could not do against Ohio State, and if they trail in the final minutes of a game in 2018, they will face a similar uphill battle. They are right in the thick of things, but need to show a little more to be national championship ready.
Odds To Win 2018 National Championship
Alabama +225
Arizona +10000
Arkansas +15000
Auburn +2500
Baylor +75000
Boise State +10000
BYU +50000
Clemson +640
Florida +7000
Florida State +3000
Georgia +1000
Georgia Tech +50000
Iowa +20000
Louisville +20000
LSU +3000
Miami +2000
Michigan +1500
Michigan State +3000
Nebraska +20000
North Carolina +12500
North Carolina State +12500
Notre Dame +5000
Ohio State +600
Oklahoma +2500
Oklahoma State +10000
Oregon +8000
Penn State +1200
Pittsburgh +50000
South Carolina +25000
Stanford +5000
TCU +8500
Tennessee +25000
Texas +2000
Texas A and M +6000
UCLA +8000
USC +3000
Utah +15000
Virginia Tech +5000
Washington +5000
Washington State +25000
West Virginia +5000
Wisconsin +3000
Field +2000
*Odds courtesy of BetDSI.
