Some title contenders have already had their national championship dreams shattered, and we’re only four weeks into the varsity football season.
Often times, programs with high hopes come crashing down after a crushing loss and absence motivation for the remainder of the year, making them a play-against selection for football bettors.
We have a look at five teams that suffered a big blow to their playoff hopes and in the event that they can recover before it’s too late:
Georgia Bulldogs (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS)Next game: -41 vs. Troy
Georgia's loss came by the hands of South Carolina last weekend. Georgia scored 35 points and lost by just three points. While there have been some issues with offensive playcalling in key spots and the missed field goals loom large, the large issues are on defense. AN ABSENCE of a pass rush against the Gamecocks exposed the secondary.
Georgia has just two ranked teams left at the schedule (Missouri and Auburn) and if it could actually work out those issues on defense the Bulldogs could be a real contender for the school Football Playoff. Georgia should rebound and it might come back to the SEC Championship Game but it’s tough to look UGA making it in the course of the remainder of the scheduled unscathed.
Michigan State Spartans (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS)
Next game: -45.5 vs. Eastern Michigan
After looking like that they had the Oregon game in hand, the Spartans fell victim to a second-half avalanche of scoring from the Ducks to lose big. QUITE A FEW factors went into the loss, including Michigan State's offensive line not performing well within the second half and the Spartans defense giving up two blown coverage touchdowns – all of which will come right down to fatigue after looking to play at Oregon’s pace for four quarters.
The Big Ten has had a coarse begin to the season and so that they can have a huge impact at the Spartans’ chances to get into the playoff. Michigan State still plays two Top 25 teams but those opponents are currently ranked No. 24 and No. 25. The Spartans be capable of run the table at the remainder of their schedule but although they do they are going to in all probability be left at the outside looking in.
Ohio State Buckeyes (2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS)
Next game: vs. Cincinnati (Sept 27)
Without Braxton Miller, the Buckeyes got controlled of their loss to Virginia Tech in Week 2. A LARGER factor than the lack of Miller was the Buckeyes’ inability to get any production from the running back position.
Ohio State has only one game remaining with a Top 25 team (Michigan State). I see the Buckeyes with a least another loss once the season ends.
South Carolina Gamecocks (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS)
Next game: -22 at Vanderbilt
The Gamecocks started off the season getting embarrassed by Texas A&M. It was a nasty matchup and so they simply weren't prepared to play. But they rebounded by pulling off an upset of rival Georgia last Saturday.
The Gamecocks have games left against Auburn, Clemson and Missouri and feature a legit shot at getting back into the varsity Football Playoff, however the Gamecocks will likely lose a minimum of yet one more game in order to leave them at the playoff chopping block.
USC Trojans (2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS)
Next game: vs. Oregon State (Sept 27)
After beating Stanford, the Trojans fell to Boston College by six points at the road. They just had no answer to the Eagles’ rushing attack as they finished with 452 yards rushing.
Southern Cal has three games left against Top 15 opponents and out of all five of those teams, USC probably has the bottom chance to rebound and make the varsity Football Playoff. The Trojans do benefit from not playing Oregon but it’s possible they drop another three or four games if last weekend was any indication.
Read More... [Source: Covers.com: NCAAF News and Stories]
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