The team with the best record in the NFL has won one of the last six Super Bowls. The team with the best record in the NBA has won one of the last seven championships. The team with the best record in MLB has won one of the last four World Series. The best-performing team in MLS has won one of the last seven titles. The NHL's Presidents Trophy winner hasn't won the Stanley Cup in more than 11 years.
Progress in college football is an Oregon problem.
The No. 1 Ducks (13-0) are the best team this season. But that doesn't matter anymore. They are just one of eight teams that must win three games on neutral ground to win the national championship.
And because of a flawed seeding process for the expanded playoffs, the top-ranked teams will open against a rarer opponent with more talent, a conference foe prepared for what's to come.
In October, Ohio State was able to leave Eugene with its final two wins until star freshman Jeremiah Smith was controversially accused of offensive pass interference.
The Ducks remained the only undefeated team in the nation, but the Buckeyes stumbled at home against a mediocre Michigan State team. In any season before this one, Ohio State would have been scheduled for a meaningless bowl.
But that doesn't matter anymore.
The wake-up call from the Wolverines came in a 42-17 victory over a Tennessee team that allowed more than 17 points just twice all season. The Buckeyes' defense, the best in the country, remains their backbone.
A quarterfinal victory in the Rose Bowl doesn't prove that Ohio State (-2.5) is a better team. But that wasn't what the playoffs were about.
Pick: Ohio State -2.5 (-110, ESPN Bet)
Fiesta: Boise State (+11) beats Penn State.
The Broncos made some of the most convincing arguments in favor of the playoffs, starting with the Statue of Liberty's walk-off win over Oklahoma State in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. Due to his time in the Mountain West, he didn't have many opportunities to impress at Boise State, but he showed his potential in a three-point loss to No. 1 Oregon State.
The Nittany Lions may have a hard time slowing down Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty, as he has allowed at least 176 rushing yards three times. Giunty, who is averaging 192.1 rushing yards per game this season, needs 131 more to break Barry Sanders' single-season record.
Peach: Arizona State (+12.5) vs. Texas
The Sun Devils have been at their best in this role, going 11-2 against the spread as an underdog this season. Arizona State has looked promising many times under 34-year-old coach Kenny Dillingham thanks to Heisman finisher Cam Scatterbo, two-way quarterback Sam Leavitt and the nation's No. 5 turnover margin. has exceeded. Quinn Ewers' carelessness with the ball and Steve Sarkisian's conservative play calling have left the Longhorns with a low ceiling, allowing them to win by more than 14 points in just two of their past eight games. Ta.
Sugar: Georgia (-1.5) vs. Notre Dame.
The Bulldogs will be without starting quarterback Carson Beck, but Gunner Stockton will have more than three weeks to prepare, unlike when he was brought into the SEC title game and led Georgia to victory. It will be. The Irish will have a hard time making their reserves uncomfortable with star defensive lineman Riley Mills out injured. The coin toss game tilts in Georgia's favor with a head coach in 'Kirby Smart' who has two national titles and experience playing some of the toughest schedules in the nation.
ReliaQuest: Alabama (-14) vs. Michigan
After being eliminated from the playoffs, the Crimson Tide has a surprising number of starters, including quarterback Jalen Milroe. Alabama won't be able to avenge its loss to the Wolverines in last season's playoff semifinals, but it could be the final humiliation for the defending champions, who boast the nation's 100th-ranked offense. Alabama won a non-playoff bowl game two years ago by 25 points.
Sun Bowl Washington (+1.5) vs. Louisville
The Cardinals selected quarterback Tyler Schau and star receiver Jacorey Brooks before they began preparing for the NFL Draft. It's hard to trust the Huskies after being winless on the road, but three of their five road losses have come against playoff teams.
Citrus: South Carolina (-10) Illinois
The Illini won nine games for the first time in 17 years, but lost by double digits in their only matchup against a top-ranked team. The Siamcocks arrive on a six-game winning streak and look to put on a show, with rising star quarterback Lanoris Sellers totaling 272 yards and three touchdowns in wins over Clemson and Texas A&M.
Texas: Baylor (-4) vs. LSU
Facing his former team, Dave Aranda is on one of the hottest teams in the nation, winning his last six games by an average margin of nearly 15 points and earning another year of tenure. Due to opt-outs and the transfer portal, Brian Kelly will suffer his first bowl loss with the Tigers.
Gators: Duke (+17.5) vs. Ole Miss
The Rebels were a $10 million disappointment to a NIL group that routinely missed out on inferior opponents. Even with Jackson Dart in, the Rebels have covered five of seven games as underdogs and have topped 28 points once in their past eight games against an opponent that boasts the second-ranked defense in the ACC. You may have a hard time getting through.
First Responders: Texas (-13.5) Over North Texas
The fourth-best passing offense in the country turned to a freshman quarterback who had five career pass attempts. Don't expect this version of the Mean Green to keep up with the Bobcats' offense, which has averaged 49 points over the past three games.
Dukes-Mayo: Virginia Tech (+7.5) vs. Minnesota
P.J. Fleck hasn't lost a bowl game in five outings with the Gophers, but his last four bowl wins have been decided by an average margin of less than nine points. Six of the past eight games this season have been decided by single-digit margins. The Hokies have never lost by more than 10 points this season.
Bahamas: Buffalo over Liberty (-2.5)
The game on the No. 3-ranked field in the country would be unrecognizable without starting quarterback Kaidon Salter, leading rusher Quinton Cooley and several offensive linemen.
Do you want to bet on college football?
Best bet: Arizona, Georgia
This season: 129-120-2 (20-28-2)
2014-23 season records: 1,272-1,206-30
Why trust New York Post Betting?
Howie Kussoy has been the New York Post's leading handicapper for many years in college basketball (since 2011) and college football (since 2013).
