What are the odds for the College Football Playoffs?
Here are the latest odds to make the 2024 College Football Playoffs:
| 🏆 Ohio State Buckeyes | -650 |
| ✅ Georgia Bulldogs | -600 |
| ✅ Oregon Ducks | -300 |
| ✅ Texas Longhorns | -230 |
| ✅ Notre Dame Fighting Irish | -160 |
| 📆 Last Updated: | December 20, 2024 |
The new 12-team playoff format could yield some surprising results and upsets in 2024. Still, it should be no surprise the University of Georiga, led by two-time national championship coach Kirby Smart, are the clubhouse leaders, with three other SEC teams rounding out the top-5 (Alabama and Ole Miss are tied at five).
However, could Ohio State get back the National Championship game and claim their first title since 2014? Or can the Oregon Ducks win their first-ever National Championship and cement head coach Dan Lanning as one the best coaches in college football?
College Football Playoff Championship Odds
It should be no surprise to the college football fan that the championship odds have Georgia favored.
Despite being left out of the college football playoff last season (some may argue they deserved to be in), they return one of the best coaches in college football in Kirby Smart, a future first-round draft-pick at quarterback Carson Beck, and boast one the best and most physical defenses in all of college football. Should Georiga make the playoff, they will be battle-tested, with regular season games against Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, and Ole Miss (all teams with top-12 odds to win the national championship).
The winner of two of the last three National Championships and a 5-1 playoff record - it should be no surprise that you will likely see Georgia competing until the very end. Oh, and did I mention, they also got the Florida Gators' leading touchdown rusher from last season to accompany an already stacked running back room?
CFP National Championship Favorites
While the Georgia Bulldogs are and should be the favorites, do not sleep on the Ohio State Buckeyes, which boasts their most talented roster with Kansas State transfer Will Howard at quarterback, a loaded backfill of TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins, with Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, and freshmen phenom Jeremiah Smith at wide receiver.
Moreover, their defense will be solid, and with Alabama transfer Caleb Downs and Denzel Burke covering the backfield. While Ohio State has disappointed fans in the playoffs, this could be their best roster in the last decade.
A few other teams could surprise including the Oregon Ducks, with their high-powered offense and strong defense, and Texas Longhorns behind Heisman Trophy hopeful quarterback Quinn Ewers.
Georgia Bulldogs CFP Odds: +300
- PFF Power Ranking: 1
- Strength of Schedule: 15
- 2024 Recruiting Rank: 1
- Question Mark: Pass Rush
Ohio State Buckeyes CFP Odds: +380
- PFF Power Ranking: 4
- Strength of Schedule: 18
- 2024 Recruiting Rank: 4
- Question Mark: QB
Oregon Ducks CFP Odds: +700
- PFF Power Ranking: 6
- Strength of Schedule: 10
- 2024 Recruiting Rank: 3
- Question Mark: Pass Rush
CFP National Championship Contenders
Here's a look at CFP contenders to watch that are currently above +1000.
Alabama Crimson Tide National Title Odds: +1200
- PFF Power Ranking: 5
- Strength of Schedule: 23
- 2024 Recruiting Rank: 2
- Question Mark: WRs
LSU Tigers National Title Odds: +2000
- PFF Power Ranking: 10
- Strength of Schedule: 21
- 2024 Recruiting Rank: 7
- Question Mark: Secondary
Penn State Nittany Lions National Title Odds: +2200
- PFF Power Ranking: 8
- Strength of Schedule: 7
- 2024 Recruiting Rank: 16
- Question Mark: O-Line/WRs
More: Michigan Wolverines CFP Odds
CFP National Championship Longshots
If you are looking for a truly under-the-radar pick, the Tennessee Volunteers at +3500 could be a strong long-odds pick. Former five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava has all the potential in the world, and we know head coach Josh Heupel will have a high-flying offense, but will their defense be up for the challenge? In a 12-team playoff, anything can happen in January.
Tennessee Volunteers CFP Odds: +3500
- PFF Power Ranking: 16
- Strength of Schedule: 37
- 2024 Recruiting Rank: 13
- Question Mark: Youth On Defense
Miami Hurricanes CFP Odds: +4000
- PFF Power Ranking: 31
- Strength of Schedule: 49
- 2024 Recruiting Rank: 5
- Question Mark: Secondary
Florida State Seminoles CFP Odds: +6000
- PFF Power Ranking: 7
- Strength of Schedule: 33
- 2024 Recruiting Rank: 12
- Question Mark: Skill Positions
✅ More: Legal Michigan Sports Betting
How to Bet On the National Championship
Signing up for a legal sportsbook and placing a bet on the national championship is a very straightforward process.
- Choose a sportsbook
- Create an account
- Verify your identity
- Make a deposit
- Navigate to the "College Football" section
- Look for "Futures"
- Place your bets on who you think will make the college football playoffs and who will be the National Champion!
📲 More: Best Michigan Sportsbook Promos
Preseason Odds For Past NCAA Football Champions
Here are the preseason odds for the last ten College Football National Champions:
| Team | Odds |
| 2023: Michigan Wolverines | +900 |
| 2022: Georgia Bulldogs | +350 |
| 2021: Georgia Bulldogs | +600 |
| 2020: Alabama Crimson Tide | +300 |
| 2019: LSU Tigers | +2500 |
| 2018: Clemson Tigers | +450 |
| 2017: Alabama Crimson Tide | +250 |
| 2016: Clemson Tigers | +700 |
| 2015: Alabama Crimson Tide | +700 |
| 2014: Ohio State Buckeyes | +4000 |
How Often Has a Preseason Favorite Won It All?
Over the past 10 seasons, only one preseason favorite to win the National Championship has won - Alabama during the 2017 season, where they entered the season as +250 favorites.
Before 2017, the last team to win the National Championship as a preseason favorite was the University of Southern California in 2004. Over the past ten seasons, the longest odds to win the National Championship have been LSU (+2500) in 2019 and Ohio State (+4000) in 2014.
In modern betting history, the longest preseason odds to win the College Football National Championship was Auburn in 2010 at +5000.
📲 More: Best Michigan Sports Betting Apps
Always Bet Responsibly
Betting responsibly on college football during the 2024-2025 season requires careful consideration and discipline. It's important to set a budget before the season begins and stick to it, ensuring that any money wagered is an amount you can afford to lose. Stay informed by researching teams, players, and current statistics to make educated bets rather than relying on impulse or luck.
Remember, betting should enhance the game's enjoyment, not create financial stress or detract from the experience.
CFP Odds FAQ
The University of Georgia is the favorite to win the National Championship at +300 led by two-time National Championship coach Kirby Smart and likely future first-round quarterback Carson Beck. Ohio State at +400, Oregon at +800, Texas at +850, with Alabama and Ole Miss at +1500 round out the top five.
Last year, the Michigan Wolverines beat the Washington Huskies 34-13 to win their first National Title since 1997 and end a perfect 2023 season, the . The Wolverines win was the book-end to a perfect 15-0 record, including a Big 10 Championship Title.
The University of Georgia has the best odds to win the National Championship at +300. The Bulldogs who have won two of the last three titles, enter the 2024-2025 season as favorites to win the title for the second straight year. Ohio State (+400), Texas (+800), and Oregon (+800) are expected to be contenders this year as well.
Author
Dan Thompson is a Lead College Football Betting Analyst for BetMichigan.com. His sports betting experience provides the perfect fit to find the latest storylines and interesting angles impacting Michigan sports betting.
