There probably isn’t a scenario where the top three teams in the College Football Playoff rankings win out and somehow don’t finish ranked 1, 2, and 3. However, don’t jump to conclusions. While it would be easy to look past the remaining schedule for those three teams, the reality is that they all still face tough tests this week.
The pressure on all three teams at this point in the season is an underrated factor that has to be taken in to account along with the fact that it’s rivalry week. Don’t assume anything. Each one of the top three teams is on high alert against their bitter rival.
Florida Gators @ #3 Florida State Seminoles
Saturday, 3:30 PM ET
Odds: Seminoles -7.5
Florida State improved to 11-0 with a win over Boston College last weekend but they are just 3-8 against the spread this season. They needed a late field goal just to squeeze past another mediocre team last weekend. Beating Miami and BC by a combined seven points has done little to inspire confidence that the Seminoles can win out – especially with their first SEC test against in-state rivals Florida coming up this weekend.
The Gators have been incredibly inconsistent all year but they did beat Georgia and they will throw everything they have at FSU in order to try and play spoiler. With head coach Will Muschamp resigning at the end of the season, expect his players to put it all on the line for him.
The Seminoles could very well pull out the victory at home but don’t expect them to cover. It should be another close game that goes down to the wire and leaves them vulnerable to the upset. Pick: Florida +7.5[divider] #14 Auburn Tigers @ #1 Alabama Crimson Tide
Saturday, 3:30 PM ET
Odds: Alabama -9.5
Alabama can book its spot in the SEC title game and pretty much guarantee its spot in the College Football Playoff with a win this weekend, but there is no way they can look past their next opponent. Last year’s Iron Bowl ended the Tide’s bid for a perfect season and was so devastating that they came away with nothing following the loss to Auburn.
Now they look to put those memories in the past and focus on what is at stake this year. Considering how things unfolded in last year’s game, there is no doubt that mental focus will be key if they fall behind at any point. That shouldn’t happen as Alabama is the superior team. They’ve been waiting for this game for 52 weeks. Their best chance will be to dominate from the outset and not give the Tigers an opportunity to create more magic. The Tide should win this game convincingly at home but don’t overlook everything that could go wrong against Auburn in the Iron Bowl – especially if they fall behind early on. Pick: Alabama -9.5[divider] #2 Oregon Ducks @ Oregon State Beavers
Saturday, 8:00 PM ET
Odds: Oregon -20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFkS5EAfyII
Oregon had no problem with Colorado and they are favored by 20 in this game, but don’t forget last year’s Civil War when the Ducks needed a touchdown in the final minute to pull out the 36-35 victory. There were five scores in the fourth quarter of that game as they went back and forth. When it comes to this rivalry, it’s impossible to rule out an upset.
Sean Mannion is the first Pac-12 quarterback with 13,000 passing yards and 80 career touchdown passes, and he would like nothing more than to cement his legacy with an upset this week. It doesn’t help the Ducks that they will be on the road in a tough environment and all things considered, the 20-point spread is very unrealistic in a game where the Beavers could very well push Oregon down to the wire. Pick: Oregon State +20
