Last week yielded plenty of interest, with two of the top four teams suffering shocking losses on the road. If the playoff started today, the participants would be Alabama, Clemson, Miami, and Oklahoma, with Georgia and Notre Dame out after their losses in Week 11. Unfortunately, this week doesn’t feature as many top-notch matchups as the previous week, but this is college football and you never know what could happen. Make sure to check out Bodog for this week’s lines and season props. Let’s shine some light on some of the top tilts of the week. 

 

(24) Michigan Wolverines @ (5) Wisconsin Badgers 

Favourite: Wisconsin -7.5

Wisconsin is still undefeated, but the playoff selection committee still isn’t convinced by the Badgers, having slated them just outside the playoff looking in. The good news for the Badgers, however, is that should they win out, they will most certainly make the four-team field, as the Big 10 championship game will likely go through them. The Badgers will host the 8-2 Wolverines on Saturday as 7.5-point favourites. 

With both teams being allergic to the pass (Wisconsin 95th, Michigan 111th in the nation), this promises to be a classic Big 10 matchup that will feature a plethora of rushing attempts. And that would be smart, as both teams are prolific in that area. Wisconsin’s tailback Jonathan Taylor has amassed the third-most yards in the nation at 1,525, behind Bryce Love of Standard and Rashaad Penny of San Diego State. 

With the tilt featuring two top 10 defenses and shaky throwing ability, the total for the matchup is set at 40 points, the lowest total this week. 

 

Virginia Cavaliers @ (3) Miami Hurricanes 

Favourite: Miami -19 

Surprising fans and experts alike, undefeated Miami pounced on Notre Dame early last week and didn’t let their foot off the gas at any point in their 41-8 rout of their higher ranked opponent. The Fighting Irish ranked third at the time, didn’t put up much of a fight and got outclassed by Mark Richt’s group in all areas of the game. 

Hosting 6-4 Virginia as 19-point favourites, the Canes could be in danger of a let down performance following an emotional victory that propelled them into the playoff. If Miami (-140 to make the playoff, even odds to miss) comes out flat on Saturday, a steady Hoos squad could take advantage. 

 

Kentucky Wildcats @ (7) Georgia Bulldogs 

Favourite: Georgia -21.5 

How the mighty have fallen. Only a week ago, the Bulldogs were ranked first in the nation and things were looking up. But after suffering a demoralizing 23-point loss at Auburn, Georgia has dropped all the way to number seven. Kirby Smart and company should be careful not to overlook a scrappy 7-3 Kentucky team as 21.5-point favourites in this SEC-East contest. Georgia has to win out now, including the SEC Championship game, to have a shot at the playoff thanks to an incredibly weak non-conference schedule. The Bulldogs are +200 to make the playoffs and -300 to miss it. 
 

* Odds as of November 17, 2017