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We have three weeks until kickoff in Miami for the College Football Playoff semifinal between the Michigan Wolverines and the Georgia Bulldogs. After a 12-1 season and a Big Ten Championship, that is a LONG wait until more Michigan football.
The wait is good since it gives the team time to look over film, get through final exams and heal up any injuries players may have. But it’s horrible for the rest of us to have to sit and wait until the last day of the year to see if Michigan will advance to the National Championship game in Indianapolis. I’m not sure how any of you are, but I sure am one impatient SOB.
But until Dec. 31 comes around, let’s check back in with our betting expert friends to see what Michigan’s odds are of beating Georgia and winning the whole dang thing.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Wolverines have +700 odds of winning the National Championship, good for third-best. The No. 1 seed Alabama is at the top with +120 odds, followed by No. 3 Georgia at +140 odds. No. 4 Cincinnati is by far the least-likely to win it all at +1600 odds.
As for the CFP semifinal, Michigan is a 7.5-point underdog against the Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl, with the over/under set at 43.5. Meanwhile, Alabama is a huge 13.5-point favorite with the over/under at 58.
That is a significant difference in the over/under between semifinal games. If I am a betting man — which I am from time to time on DraftKings — and the oddsmakers truly believe the Orange Bowl is going to be that low scoring, I would be inclined to throw some money on the Wolverines.
With the way Michigan’s defense has been playing, especially Heisman Trophy finalist Aidan Hutchinson and his edge-rushing pal David Ojabo, Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett may have difficulties getting the ball out quickly and efficiently to his receivers. Georgia’s defensive line has not played a duo quite like Michigan’s yet this season, so I am very interested to see how that matchup plays out.
If you are a gambling person, where are you leaning towards putting your money for the College Football Playoff? Are you placing any bets down for the Orange Bowl? How about the Cotton Bowl? Let us know down in the comments!