As we prepare for March Madness, why not take an early peek at the college football favorites to win the 2022 College Football Playoff? The 2020 season was a wild one, with postponements and cancellations ruling the season.
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However, a bowl season and College Football Playoff went on, with the Alabama Crimson Tide returning to the podium as champions for the sixth time under head coach Nick Saban. We are just over five months away from the first slate of games, so let us dive into the five top contenders, according to oddsmakers.
The Elite – Alabama +300, Clemson +400 and Ohio State +650
Alabama graduates a lot of key players to the NFL, but with a roster chock full of blue-chip talent, the Crimson Tide won’t miss a beat in 2021. Sophomore quarterback Bryce Young is expected to take over under center for Alabama.
Surrounding Young will be an embarrassment of riches, with wideout John Metchie III returning along with tight end Jahleel Billingsley and expected starting running back Brian Robinson Jr. The Crimson Tide also return plenty of key players from their defensive unit, led by the secondary that returns all but one starter.
Another mainstay in the College Football Playoff, the Clemson Tigers should again see themselves in the playoff picture as the 2021 season ends. An easy schedule mixed with their entire starting defense returning should get the Tigers to the Playoff for the seventh straight season.
Highly-touted quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei takes over for Trevor Lawrence, with four returning offensive linemen back to protect the talented sophomore who gained key game experience as a freshman with Lawrence sidelined with COVID-19.
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Ohio State was hit hard with departures, losing quarterback Justin Fields, running back Trey Sermon, and eight starters on defense. The Buckeyes have their top two targets back at wide receiver Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, which will provide experience outside for expected starting quarterback Jack Miller III.
Defensively, OSU will have to replace its entire linebacking corps, along with three starters on the defensive line. In the secondary, the Buckeyes return three of their four starters from last season.
Since the CFP began in 2014, one of those three teams has hoisted the National Championship trophy in all but one season.
The Next Best Thing – Georgia +550 and Oklahoma +800
Georgia’s roster is stacked with talent, but entering Kirby Smart’s sixth season, the Georgia Bulldogs have only made it to one CFP championship game. JT Daniels returns under center for the Bulldogs after taking over the starting role through the regular season’s final three games.
His favorite target, wide receiver George Pickens, returns as well as late-season breakout Jermaine Burton. Georgia needs to replace many key defensive players, but that will be no issue under Smart.
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Oklahoma made a statement with a 55-20 blowout victory over the Florida Gators in the Cotton Bowl. The Sooners will use that momentum heading into 2021 as the favorite to win the Big 12 and get back to the Playoff.
Spencer Rattler returns for the Sooners along with six other offensive starters. Oklahoma’s top two rushers are gone, but the Sooners return four of their top five targets at wideout and tight end.
OU also gets back most of its defensive starters that looked much improved under defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.
