The Oklahoma Sooners struggled to gain respect from voters and the College Football Playoff committee all year due to a string of close calls against inferior competition. A game with Baylor offered the opportunity to change that narrative. Instead, the Sooners lost to the Bears, a defeat that could doom their national championship hopes.
Oklahoma (9-1) fell from No. 8 to No. 13 in the CFP rankings after losing 27-14 at Baylor on Saturday.
Big 12 schedule offers narrow playoff path
The defeat will make it difficult for the Sooners to climb back into the top four by the time the season ends. Yet a path remains thanks to Oklahoma’s remaining schedule. If the Sooners can win out against Iowa State and Oklahoma State, then win again in the Big 12 Championship Game – likely against either Oklahoma State or Baylor – their record might improve enough to make them a contender once more.
That’s enough for sportsbooks to keep Oklahoma relatively high on their national championship odds boards. FanDuel Sportsbook lists the Sooners as a +4000 pick to win the title, the fifth-best odds of any school. Oklahoma rates higher than Oklahoma State (+5000) at FanDuel, despite the fact that the Cowboys are now No. 9 in the CFP rankings.
Oklahoma’s loss marks the biggest shakeup near the top of the national championship race. Georgia (10-0) continues to roll toward the No. 1 seed after a 41-17 victory over Tennessee. The Bulldogs are the clear -125 pick to win the national championship this season.
Alabama (9-1) remained No. 2 in the CFP rankings, passing Cincinnati to move up to No. 2 in the AP Poll as well. The Crimson Tide enjoyed an easy 59-3 win over New Mexico State on Saturday and are a +450 pick to win the national championship this year.
National championship picture largely unchanged
Oregon (9-1) beat Washington State 38-24 on Saturday to hold on to the No. 3 spot in the CFP rankings. The Ducks are +3000 to win the national championship. Meanwhile, Ohio State (9-1) is at No. 4, having lost a head-to-head matchup with Oregon earlier this season. The Buckeyes are the +350 second choice to win the title despite that loss.
Cincinnati (10-0) remains just outside playoff position at No. 5. However, two other teams may be helping the Bearcats in their quest to reach the CFP field. First, Notre Dame (9-1) keeps winning, moving up to No. 8 in the CFP rankings. Cincinnati owns a win at Notre Dame this year.
| College Football Playoff Rankings (Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook) | ||
| Record | National Championship Odds | |
| No. 1 Georgia | 10-0 | -125 |
| No. 2 Alabama | 9-1 | +450 |
| No. 3 Oregon | 9-1 | +3000 |
| No. 4 Ohio State | 9-1 | +350 |
| No. 5 Cincinnati | 10-0 | +6000 |
| No. 6 Michigan | 9-1 | +5000 |
| No. 7 Michigan State | 9-1 | +10000 |
| No. 8 Notre Dame | 9-1 | +8000 |
Meanwhile, Houston (9-1) has moved up to No. 24 in the rankings. The Bearcats will likely face Houston in the AAC championship game. FanDuel now lists Cincinnati as a +6000 pick to win the national championship, up from +10000 last week.
Both Michigan (9-1) and Michigan State (9-1) remain potential CFP contenders as well, ranking No. 6 and No. 7, respectively. Wake Forest (9-1) slotted in at No. 10 as the top contender from the ACC.