CFB Playoff Predictions
11/17/2021By: Jeff Yoder
Good Morning,
The College Football Playoff picture is firming up, but don’t expect a lack of chaos down the stretch. Can the Top-4 hold the line? Or will Cincinnati and a handful of one-loss contenders sway the committee?
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Good luck Sportsletter readers!
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CFB
CFB Playoff: Top 7 Unchanged
Image via @CFBPlayoff
Latest College Football Rankings Set the Stage for Playoffs
The next rendition of the College Football Playoff Rankings is here, and the stage is set for the Top-4 to control their own destiny. Georgia, Alabama, Oregon and Ohio State remain in poll position, but the Ducks and Buckeyes have tough tests ahead. Georgia and Alabama are on a collision course for the SEC title game, which could create an opportunity for undefeated Cincinnati to jump a two-loss Alabama. Overall, the Top-7 remain the same as last week. Here’s where they stand.
College Football Playoff Rankings
1. Georgia (10-0)
2. Alabama (9-1)
3. Oregon (9-1)
4. Ohio State (9-1)
5. Cincinnati (10-0)
6. Michigan (9-1)
7. Michigan State (9-1)
8. Notre Dame (9-1)
9. Oklahoma State (9-1)
10. Wake Forest (9-1)
The Sportsletter’s Playoff Prediction
With only two undefeated teams and a lengthy list of 9-1 teams, The Sportsletter team sees a path for Cincinnati and either Michigan or Michigan State to jump into the playoff. Alabama (9-1) could become a two-loss team if they fall to Georgia in the SEC finale. Ohio State finishes out the regular season with No. 7 Michigan State and on the road at the Big House against No. 6 Michigan.
Our Playoff Picks: Georgia (1), Oregon (2), Cincinnati (3), Michigan (4)
Additional Storylines
ESPN: No Change Atop CFB Rankings, But Expect Chaos Ahead
CBS Sports: Top Seven Hold in CFB Playoff Rankings as Notre Dame Inches Up, Oklahoma Tumbles
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MLB
Kapler & Cash Named Top Managers
Photo: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images
Gabe Kapler (Giants) & Kevin Cash (Rays) Earn MLB Manager of the Year Awards
It wasn’t the Giants or Rays who reached the Fall Classic, but the managers of the two teams with the best record in both the NL and AL are taking home the Manager of the Year hardware. Gabe Kapler led the Giants to a league-high 107 wins while Kevin Cash led the Rays to 100 wins. Kapler was a near consensus winner (28 of 30 first-place votes), Cash garnered 19 first-place votes to secure his second consecutive Manager of the Year honors.
NL Voting Results
1. Gabe Kapler (Giants)
2. Craig Counsell (Brewers)
3. Mike Shildt (Cardinals) —
AL Voting Results
1. Kevin Cash (Rays)
2. Scott Servais (Mariners)
3. Dusty Baker (Astros)
MLB Awards Week Schedule
Wednesday: Cy Young Winners
Thursday: MVP Winners
Additional Storylines
MLB: Kapler & Cash Named Top Managers of 2021 MLB Season
NBC Sports: Gabe Kapler Shares What Stood Out in Stunning Giants Season
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THE HIGHLIGHTS
NBA: Curry Cooks Up 37 in Another Warriors Win
The Golden State Warriors bounced back to beat the Nets on Tuesday (117-99) behind another stellar performance from Steph Curry (37 points). Curry went 9-for-14 from 3-point range to lead the Dubs to a league-best 12-2 start.
NHL: Ducks Win 8th Straight With Getzlaf’s Milestone
The Anaheim Ducks are off to a hot start (10-4-3), and Tuesday’s overtime win over the Capitals (3-2, OT) marked their eighth straight win. Ryan Getzlaf also cracked the 1,000-point milestone with an assist in the win.
SOCCER: USMNT Draw With Jamaica
The USMNT suffered a disappointing draw with Jamaica in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier (1-1). Timothy Weah scored the opening goal (11’) before Jamaica answered in the 22nd minute. Canada (16 points) now leads the USA (15 points) in the CONCACAF standings.
NCAAB: #4 Michigan Gets Upset by Seton Hall
The biggest upset of the college basketball season took place last night in Ann Arbor when Seton Hall buried a number of key free throws down the stretch to stun 4th-ranked Michigan (67-65).
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THE STORYLINES
With Baker Mayfield struggling in Cleveland, the Browns could find a replacement in next year’s draft. It’s just one of the many storylines to keep an eye on as we move through the pre-draft process. Keep reading to see how all 32 picks unfold. (CBS Sports)
One month into the 2021-22 NBA season, the Golden State Warriors are back. Despite Sunday’s loss to the Charlotte Hornets, they have a league-best 11 wins, and six seasons after winning a record 73 games, they’re on a 69-win pace. (ESPN+)
The Fight for the Cleveland ‘Guardians’
The conflict over the Guardians name in Cleveland has come to an end. The Cleveland Guardians baseball team and the Cleveland Guardians roller derby team released a joint statement on Tuesday morning following a lawsuit. Consider the name shared. (Yahoo! Sports)
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THE HEADLINES
Coach K’s Grandson & Duke Basketball Player Michael Savarino Faces DWI Charges
(ESPN)
Pitcher Jose Berrios Agrees to 7-Year, $131 Million Extension With Blue Jays
(CBS Sports)
Pitcher Noah Syndergaard Leaves Mets to Sign 1-Year, $21 Million Deal With Angels
(USA Today)
Virginia Tech Parts Ways With Football Coach Justin Fuente After 6 Seasons
(Bleacher Report)
Staples Center to be Renamed crypto.com Arena in $700 Million Deal
(Yahoo! Sports)
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