With the CFP expanding to a 12-team bracket, a loss or two doesn't automatically snatch away playoff opportunities. This college football season, we'll prepare to see some programs we don't normally see play past November.
At -650, the Ohio State Buckeyes have the best odds to earn a spot in the college football playoffs this season.
Odds To Make The college football Playoff
| Team | Odds To Make CFP | Odds To Miss CFP |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Wolverines | +115 | -145 |
| Georgia Bulldogs | -550 | +370 |
| Oregon Ducks | -300 | +230 |
| Florida State Seminoles | +140 | -180 |
| Texas Longhorns | -235 | +180 |
| Alabama Crimson Tide | +100 | -130 |
| Washington Huskies | +900 | -1800 |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | -650 | +425 |
| Notre Dame Fighting Irish | -165 | +130 |
| Penn State Nittany Lions | -140 | +110 |
| LSU Tigers | +120 | -150 |
| Ole Miss Rebels | -130 | +100 |
| Colorado Buffaloes | +1400 | -6000 |
| Missouri Tigers | +175 | -225 |
| Kansas Jayhawks | +600 | -1100 |
| Tennessee Volunteers | +170 | -225 |
Odds as of July 19, 2024
Don't let last year fool you, a lot has changed -- hence why of the four teams that made the CFP last year, only Texas has odds of -235 or shorter. Even defending national champion, Michigan, is in plus-money territory at +115.
The 12-team bracket gives plenty of wiggle room for other programs, who always are kept out due despite a noble record. Now, consistent contenders like Notre Dame, LSU, or Ole Miss are likely to see the postseason.
ohio state buckeyes, Massively favored to make cFP
Revisiting the current oddsboard, the Ohio State Buckeyes are the heaviest favorites to clinch a playoff berth. It would be their sixth appearance in the CFP-era.
Carrying an 11-0 record heading into Week 12 last season, the Buckeyes deflated their playoff chances after dropping their final meeting to the Wolverines.
Former starting quarterback, Kyle McCord has since transferred too Syracuse. Ryan Day wasted no time grabbing Kansas State's Will Howard out of the portal. The senior hit the endzone at least once in all but one meeting last season, collecting 33 total touchdowns and 2,643 yards.
Will Howard is ready for the challenge of being QB1 at Ohio State:
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) January 30, 2024
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't feel like I was ready for it...Nothing that is worth getting ever comes easy. This opportunity here was just too good to pass up." pic.twitter.com/pkxsLSjw3q
The Big 10 is getting tougher with Oregon, Washington, UCLA and USC joining. But, Ohio State isn't in too much danger -- with only the Ducks on their regular season slate this year.
notre dame fighting irish, easy schedule and route to playoffs
The conference realignment is certainly benefitting Notre Dame, who stays as an independent school. With the major conferences becoming more competitive, the top threats may not want to roll the dice by adding the Irish to their slate as a non-conference matchup.
Ahead of August, Notre Dame's schedule is looking very doable. It's toughest tasks looking like Florida State (Week 9) and USC Trojans (Week 12).
Entering his third year as head coach, Marcus Freeman's boys went 10-3 SU last season, falling to Ohio State, Louisville and Clemson. The Cardinals will be the only team of the three that Notre Dame kicks off against this regular season.
This conference realignment and larger playoff stage just opened plenty of doors for Notre Dame. The luck of the Irish, I guess.
texas longhorns, ewers likely to return to cFP Again
The Longhorns are all over the futures boards, listed as national championship contenders and having a player in the Heisman Trophy discussions.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers got a taste of the playoffs last year, losing 37-31 to Washington in the Sugar Bowl Semi-Finals. The narrative surrounding the junior is that with more experience, he becomes a better leader on and off the field. Having Arch Manning as a back-up doesn't hurt, either.
Texas lost the top of its wide reciever room, with Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell set to make NFL debuts. However, Steve Sarkisian knows how to call an offense that will rest on the shoulders of returning names like RB CJ Baxter and TE Gunnar Helm.
NCAAF Futures
How To Read College Football Playoff Odds
At any sportsbook, you’ll see College Football Playoff (CFP) odds listed like so:
Alabama Crimson Tide: YES -260, NO +200
If you’re looking at Alabama’s odds to make it to the postseason at -260 and decided to bet $100 on them, you’d get a payout of $138.46 – your original $100 is returned along with your winnings of $38.46. On the other hand, if you think they will not make the playoffs at +200, that same $100 would get you $300 – you get your $100 back coupled with your prize of $200. Our odds calculator will tell you what you’d win based on the odds and amount bet.
Some sportsbooks only have YES odds to make the college football playoff, especially as we get deeper into the season.
What Is A Futures Bet On NCAA Football?
When you wager on a team’s postseason chances, it’s called a futures bet. This is a bet on events that will happen in time. It can be said that all sports betting is on events that have yet to occur; however, futures can be made weeks or months in advance instead of prior to game day. You could take Clemson to miss the CFP before college football season even starts.
Oddsmakers will adjust the lines as more games are played and teams rise and fall in the standings. We suggest jumping on odds early, so you don’t miss out on great lines. If you wait until closer to bowl season, you could be stuck with odds that don’t have any value.
