College Football Playoff odds, predictions, pick

Georgia tops the latest College Football Playoff rankings. Michigan, TCU and USC are in second and third place respectively. USC has a chance to make the playoff after a late-season surge.

The defending champions are the favorite to win the College Football Playoff. Georgia has the best defense in the country and the highest scoring margin. TCU's rise in Big-12 is nice but the Horned Frogs lack the obvious talent that has anchored previous teams that took down an SEC juggernaut like Georgia. USC has strong together impressive wins but still owns a leaky defense.

ESPN's College Football Power Index gives Ohio State a 71% chance to make the playoff. TCU (-2.5), USC (-3) and Georgia (-4) are the other teams in the top four. The final weekend is a minefield full of potentially explosive outcomes for the current field.

Alabama is a +2500 favorite to win the college football championship. The Crimson Tide have reached six of the last seven championship games. They are the only team with a strength of schedule in the top 10. The path to the playoff remains tricky, but the upside is worth the risk here.