Alabama went into the most hostile of atmospheres in Knoxville, Tennessee, and it looked like the Crimson Tide might get blown out of Rocky Top. Then they worked their way back, at one point looking like they would not only win but maybe even cover a few numbers in the end. Tennessee ended up victorious, seemingly sending a shake-up through college football. Then you look at the oddsboard.
College Football Playoff odds
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Ohio State | +170 |
| Georgia | +170 |
| Alabama | +400 |
| Clemson | +1000 |
| Tennessee | +1500 |
| Michigan | +2000 |
| USC | +4000 |
| Oregon | +5000 |
| UCLA | +5000 |
| TCU | +5000 |
Odds available on theScore Bet, teams not listed above available at 50-1 or longer
With a loss now on its record, Alabama moves from +200 all the way down to ... +400.
"How could this be?!" the uninitiated exclaim.
Assuming Alabama runs the table - as a double-digit favorite in its remaining games on the regular-season schedule - it'll find itself in the SEC championship game against either Georgia or a rematch with Tennessee. Oddsmakers will tell you that Alabama will likely be a slight favorite in either matchup. With a win, the Crimson Tide would be headed back to where they often are in January - seeded in the College Football Playoff.
Tennessee's outlook improved, but it still has Georgia on its slate and, with a win, a rematch with Alabama - only on a neutral field this time. There exists the possibility that all three top SEC teams finish with one loss coming at the hands of each other. That would be more chaotic than the field at Neyland Stadium after the ball knuckled over the soon-to-be extricated uprights.
Clemson took care of Florida State in Tallahassee and has the inside track for a CFP spot.
Further down the board, TCU and Michigan remain undefeated after their top-25 showdowns. But they have daunting tasks before even getting a CFP semifinal matchup where they would be heavy underdogs. Meanwhile, the Pac-12 winner still has a shot at the playoff, but when it comes to winning the whole thing, it's still Ohio State and the cream of the SEC crop - which Tennessee at least joined last weekend, even if they didn't eliminate Alabama.
Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there’s a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.
