ACC Outlook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Projected number of teams to make the playoffs: Two
Projected teams to make the ACC title game: Clemson and Miami Florida<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miami is now -300 to make the playoffs thanks to close, and yes, lucky wins over Virginia Tech and California. They\u2019ll get the rest edge before heading to Louisville in a potentially tossup game, with the only other likely tough games being at Georgia Tech and at Syracuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clemson is only -110 to make the playoffs, but it can be argued that the Tigers are the top team in the ACC. They likely need only to go 2-1 in November games hosting Louisville, at Virginia Tech, and at Pittsburgh to make the title game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other contenders: Pittsburgh, SMU<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recommendations: I like Clemson at -110, and as a longshot, I\u2019d consider SMU, but they will need to win the ACC (not just get into the title game) by virtue of their loss earlier this year to BYU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Big XII Outlook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Projected number of teams to make the playoffs: One or two
Projected teams to make the Big 12 title game: Too close to call<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seven teams have either zero or one loss, but as conference play heats up, I expect this very evenly matched league to start beating each other up. As a result, I think only the winner of the Big 12 title game gets in, unless strange things happen in the Big Ten and SEC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s quickly look at the possible contenders.
BYU: 3-0 in the Big 12 and still underrated. Only the emotional rivalry game at Utah could see them as a true underdog.
Iowa St: Is this the year they meet or exceed lofty expectations? Their remaining schedule is likely the toughest of these five.
Kansas St: Shocked at BYU, they can\u2019t afford another slipup if it\u2019s to a contending team. The closing game at Iowa St may decide things.
Utah: The Committee might cut them some slack for losing at Arizona without their starting QB, but first they need to reach the title game. The November schedule is tricky.
West Virginia: With two losses outside of the conference, they must get in and win the Big 12 title game. Their rest of October schedule is challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Texas Tech is 3-0 in the Big 12 but I have them as a longshot to make the title game.
Colorado is 2-0 in the Big 12 and if their defense holds up, could be elevated to my contender list.
Both Arizona and ASU could surprise, but each has a loss and might need to run the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Value Play: I\u2019m not sure there\u2019s any value right now with so many contenders, but FanDuel lists Kansas State at +500 to win the Big 12, which might be the way I\u2019d lean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SEC Outlook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Projected number of teams to make the playoffs: Four or Five
Projected teams to make the SEC title game: Georgia and Texas<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three teams, Alabama, Tennessee, and Missouri lost last week, making the SEC race tighter, and more importantly, creating the perception that the SEC may not really deserve as many as five bids, which was going to be almost a given until last weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Texas hosts Georgia 0n October 19th. Win that, and they will have a 98% chance at making the SEC title game. Bitter \u201cold\u201d rivals Arkansas (rested) and Texas A&M won\u2019t be easy games, but a win vs. Georgia will still get them to the SEC title game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia will host Tennessee, but has to go to Texas and Mississippi. Unless the tiebreaker is solely with Alabama, I think Georgia can still get in with two losses. Even if they do NOT make the SEC title game, 10-2 gets them into the 12-team playoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alabama\u2019s loss to Vanderbilt is not good on the resume. 10-2 still gets them into the 12-team playoff in my opinion. 9-3 might have done the same, but not with one of the losses being vs. Vanderbilt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I personally feel Mississippi is a top 5-6 NCAA team. That home loss to Kentucky hurts, considering the game at LSU is in a very unfavorable situation, and hosting Georgia won\u2019t be easy, not to mention that they can\u2019t afford to look past Arkansas the week before (road game).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
LSU\u2019s path is difficult, but there\u2019s a way for them to make the SEC title game. If they do so with just one loss, then they could sneak into the playoffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Missouri\u2019s path likely closed with the loss to Texas A&M. The schedule strength is just not there. They need to run the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tennessee\u2019s loss to Arkansas hurt their chances. They\u2019ll need to split games vs. Alabama and at Georgia, and win all the other games to make a case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s possible that A&M can get into the SEC title game, as they avoid Georgia and Alabama. The finale at Texas could be quite meaningful. They can\u2019t afford three losses however, and would likely lose tiebreaker status due to their loss to Notre Dame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recommendations: Using Bet US, FanDuel, and Draft Kings (check other sites for best odds), here\u2019s three considerations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alabama to miss the playoffs at +450
Missouri to miss the playoffs at -400
Texas A&M to miss the playoffs at -150<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides Georgia and Texas, I think Mississippi has the schedule strength to get into the playoffs, and LSU would be a factor if they upset Mississippi this Saturday. While Alabama is the likely 4th or 5th choice, +450 seems like value, especially if Tennessee pulls off an upset. The path for five SEC teams could still be there, but it depends on Notre Dame, plus Big Ten results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>\n SPECIAL OFFER FOR FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS<\/p>\n <\/div>\n
![\"WagerTalk](\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/images\/email-open-wagertalk.png\")
\n Sign up for WagerTalk news alerts and get free picks, discounts and\n