CFP Preview

AuthorAuthor

Zach Beier & Chubbs Scheffler
December 29, 2023

Good morning,

Let’s dive in…

Developing Stories 📰

The College Football Playoff National Championship is on the line as the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines (13-0) gear up to face off against the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1) at the Rose Bowl on Monday, January 1, 2024.

In their recent game on December 2, the Wolverines dominated the Iowa Hawkeyes with a 26-0 victory. J.J. McCarthy led the charge with 147 yards on 22-of-30 passing (73.3%), although he didn't secure any touchdowns or interceptions. Blake Corum contributed with 52 rushing yards on 16 carries (3.3 yards per carry), scoring two touchdowns on the ground. He also made three catches for 10 yards. Cornelius Johnson played a significant role, making nine receptions for 64 yards (7.1 per catch).

The Crimson Tide, coming off a 27-24 win over the Georgia Bulldogs, saw Jalen Milroe throw for 192 yards, completing 13 of 23 attempts (56.5%), with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Roydell Williams carried the ball 16 times for 64 yards and one touchdown, adding one reception for nine yards. Isaiah Bond was a key contributor with 79 yards through the air after five catches on seven targets.

Meanwhile, the Sugar Bowl will feature a clash between the No. 4 Texas Longhorns (12-1) and the No. 2 Washington Huskies (13-0) on the same day for a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

The Longhorns secured a 49-21 victory over the Oklahoma State Cowboys in their latest outing, with Quinn Ewers leading the way. Ewers amassed 452 yards on 35-of-46 passing (76.1%), throwing four touchdowns and one interception. Keilan Robinson was instrumental with four carries for 75 yards (18.8 yards per carry), scoring two touchdowns on the ground. He also contributed with two receptions for 20 yards. Adonai Mitchell showcased his skills, catching six passes for 109 yards and one touchdown.

The Huskies, after a close 34-31 win against the Oregon Ducks, rely on Michael Penix Jr.'s performance, who completed 27-of-39 passes for 319 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Dillon Johnson had a standout game with 28 carries for 152 yards (5.4 yards per attempt) and two touchdowns, along with one reception for seven yards. Jalen McMillan made a significant impact, catching nine passes on 13 targets for 131 yards (14.6 yards per reception).

Headlines 🚨

On This Day in Sport History: 2007 Tom Brady sets NFL record throwing his 50th touchdown pass and the Patriots become the first team to finish the regular season 16-0.

Commanders QB Jacoby Brissett is questionable with a hamstring injury.

Joe Flacco leads the Browns to its third playoff birth since 1999.

The Vikings bench QB Nick Mullens and are going to start rookie Jaren Hall.

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

🎓🏈 #22 CLEM vs UK

  • Clemson is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games

  • Clemson is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

  • The total has gone OVER in 7 of Kentucky's last 9 games

  • Kentucky is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games

🎓🏈 MEM vs ISU

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 5 games

🎓🏈 #9 MIZZ vs #7 OSU

  • The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Ohio State's last 9 games

🎓🏈 #11 MISS vs #10 PSU

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Mississippi's last 7 games

🎓🏈 AUB vs UMD

  • Auburn is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games

  • Auburn is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Maryland's last 5 games

  • Maryland is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games

🎓🏈 #6 UGA vs #5 FSU

  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Georgia's last 5 games

  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida State's last 5 games

🏀 Knicks at Magic

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 5 games when playing Orlando

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 6 games when playing on the road against Orlando

🏀 Bucks at Cavaliers

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games on the road

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games at home

🏀 76ers at Rockets

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Houston

🏈 Lions at Cowboys

  • The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games on the road

  • Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit

  • Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

🏈 Falcons at Bears

  • The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Atlanta's last 11 games on the road

  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games

  • Chicago is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta

  • Chicago is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta

🏈 Raiders at Colts

  • Las Vegas is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Indianapolis

  • The total has gone OVER in 7 of Indianapolis's last 8 games at home

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indianapolis's last 6 games when playing Las Vegas

🏈 Panthers at Jaguars

  • Carolina is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Jacksonville

  • The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Carolina's last 9 games

  • The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Jacksonville's last 23 games at home

  • Jacksonville is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Carolina 

🏈 Saints at Buccaneers

  • New Orleans is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay

  • The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Orleans's last 7 games when playing Tampa Bay

  • The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games when playing New Orleans

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games at home

🏈 49ers at Commanders

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games at home

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

🎓🏈 NCAAF

34% of bets and 53% of money is on UK +3.5

26% of bets and 46% of money is on UK +130

23% of bets and 44% of money is on UNDER 43.5 #22 CLEM vs UK

25% of bets and 46% of money is on UNDER 40.5 #19 ORST vs #16 ND

12.30.23

42% of bets and 62% of money is on PSU -4.5

24% of bets and 56% of money is on UNDER 47.5 AUB vs UMD

🏀 NBA

37% of bets and 84% of money is on OVER 242.5 BKN at WSH

32% of bets and 76% of money is on OVER 252 SAC at ATL

39% of bets and 60% of money is on OKC +2.5

37% of bets and 86% of money is on PHX -15.5

32% of bets and 81% of money is on UNDER 230.5 CHA at PHX

41% of bets and 60% of money is on LAC -7

🎓🏀 NCAAB

35% of bets and 73% of money is on RAD +15.5

30% of bets and 81% of money is on UNDER 141 RAD at #18 CLEM

18% of bets and 55% of money is on EKY +29.5

48% of bets and 78% of money is on UNDER 154.5 EKY at #1 PUR

42% of bets and 74% of money is on CHSO +32

22% of bets and 70% of money is on CAL +13.5

🏈 NFL

64% of bets and 84% of money is on OVER 52 DET at DAL

12.31.23

45% of bets and 62% of money is on BUF -13

48% of bets and 70% of money is on OVER 44 TEN at HOU

28% of bets and 52% of money is on IND -3.5

42% of bets and 67% of money is on UNDER 38 CAR at JAX

32% of bets and 68% of money is on UNDER 38 ATL at CHI

18% of bets and 40% of money is on NO +2.5

34% of bets and 60% of money is on UNDER 42 NO at TB

59% of bets and 88% of money is on OVER 41 PIT at SEA

38% of bets and 66% of money is on UNDER 37 LAC at DEN

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Weekend Picks 🔒

NCAAF

Alabama +110 | The Tide have captured three national titles in this format and won more playoff games (nine) than any other program. Michigan is yet to win one despite consecutive appearances.

Missouri +5.5 | Ohio State is third in the nation in total defense (259.9 yards allowed), second in points permitted (11.0) and first against the pass (147.4 yards) but ranks 24th versus the run with an average of 112.5 yards allowed.

Washington +4/+145 | Washington hasn’t shown any reason why they should be underdogs. Texas has a great defensive line but their secondary struggle Which Washington will take advantage of as they are a pass strong offense.

NFL

Jaguars -6.5 | Jacksonville has dropped four straight games coming into this contest but they still have the inside track as far as winning the AFC South goes. They have the head-to-head tiebreakers over Indianapolis and Houston along with a soft schedule to close the season.