The highly anticipated College Football Playoff (CFP) kicks off this Friday night, featuring the second-ever 12-team format. The opening match will see the No. 9 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide face off against the No. 8 ranked Oklahoma Sooners. Alabama’s head coach, Kalen DeBoer, enters this playoff under pressure, particularly as Alabama’s inclusion in the field sparked controversy over the exclusion of Notre Dame.
Three additional games are scheduled for Saturday, beginning with the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes against the No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies at 12:00 ET. Following that, No. 11 Tulane will travel to meet No. 6 Ole Miss, who will compete without their recently departed head coach, Lane Kiffin. The first round will conclude with No. 12 James Madison facing No. 5 Oregon.
Key Matchups and Predictions
The Alabama versus Oklahoma game is drawing particular attention, as it is viewed as the most exciting matchup of the first round. In their last encounter on November 15, Alabama suffered a narrow 23-21 defeat to Oklahoma. This time, Oklahoma will host the game and is currently favored by 1.5 points. Alabama’s recent performance has raised concerns, especially after their disappointing showing in the SEC title game against Georgia. Conversely, Oklahoma has gained momentum, finishing the regular season with four consecutive victories. For this matchup, the recommendation is to consider Oklahoma’s moneyline at -115.
As the Saturday schedule begins, the game between Miami and Texas A&M promises to be another closely contested affair. Both teams have had their share of ups and downs this season. Despite boasting an 11-1 record, Texas A&M has struggled against lesser competition. Miami, on the other hand, relied heavily on an early-season win against Notre Dame to secure their playoff spot. Given the unpredictable nature of both teams, a total points bet may be more prudent. The recommended wager is on the total, with a pick for over 47.5 points at odds of -112.
Potential Blowouts in the First Round
The concluding games of the first round are expected to be less competitive. Tulane faces Ole Miss in a matchup that has been marked by significant differences in team strength. Ole Miss, now without Kiffin, previously defeated Tulane 45-10 in a non-conference matchup earlier this season. Given the talent disparity, the smart bet for this game is Ole Miss at -17.5 with odds of -108.
The final game features James Madison against Oregon, a contest that many experts anticipate will not be close. As the Sun Belt champions, James Madison has had a commendable season; however, they lack the resources and experience of perennial contenders like Oregon. Unless a remarkable upset occurs, the expectation is that Oregon will cover the spread, with a recommended wager of -20.5 at odds of -115.
This information is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be relied upon for financial decisions or predictive analyses. Users are encouraged to gamble responsibly and seek help if needed.
