- Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs (+350) are favored to capture their third national title in four years
- College Football is introducing a new 12-team playoff bracket for the coming season
- The CFP National Championship will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Jan. 20, 2025
‘Change’ is the theme of the 2024-25 college football season with major conference realignment and the expansion of the playoff to 12 teams. The departures of Nick Saban and Jim Harbaugh also leave somewhat of a power vacuum at the top of the sport.
Which school will fill the void and be crowned national champions? Before we examine the latest odds, be sure to check out our 2024-25 College Football Betting Resources and get the best National Championship Future Odds.
Georgia Bulldogs favored
Georgia (+350) squandered its chance for a three-peat with a 27-24 loss to Alabama in the SEC title game. Prior to the defeat, Kirby Smart’s club was on a SEC record 29-game winning streak. After being left out of the four-team CFP playoff, the Bulldogs took their anger out on Florida State, administering a 63-3 Orange Bowl blowout.
With a top recruiting class, the return of quarterback Carson Beck and the transfer of Gators running back Trevor Etienne to Athens, Georgia is a strong bet to capture its third Natty in four years.
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers tells story of getting chewed out by Kirby Smart https://t.co/oYRY6j3LL3
— Dawgs247 (@Dawgs247) February 8, 2024
Buckeyes in the mix
Ohio State (+550) will be without Marvin Harrison Jr., but with seven players projected to be top-100 picks in the 2025 NFL draft, there’s no shortage of talent in Columbus. Will Howard from Kansas State replaces Kyle McCord at quarterback, and Ole Miss-transfer Quinshon Judkins joins TreVeyon Henderson in a loaded backfield.
Best of all, Ryan Day will no longer have to compete with Jim Harbaugh after losing to Michigan three-straight times.
New era for Longhorns and Ducks
Texas (+700) will see a jump in competition after moving from the Big 12 to the SEC. However, there’s lots of continuity in Austin with the return of QB Quinn Ewers and coach Steve Sarkisian. With a strong recruiting class and new pass-catching weapons via the transfer portal (Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden), the Longhorns are set up for success.
Oregon (+800) seems overvalued considering their jump from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten. With Dillon Gabriel replacing Bo Nix at quarterback, can Dan Lanning’s Ducks really compete with Ohio State and Michigan? We’re highly skeptical.
Ohio State has produced a lot of gems in recent years 🅾️ pic.twitter.com/6u83BwSXZE
— PFF (@PFF) February 9, 2024
Fading programs?
How will Alabama (+1100) fare in its first season without seven-time national champion Nick Saban? Kalen DeBoer’s arrival offers hope for Jalen Milroe and the offense. But the Crimson Tide lost a lot of talent through the transfer portal and have one of the roughest schedules in the SEC with games against Wisconsin, LSU and Georgia.
Michigan (+1600) is in even worse shape after the departures of Jim Harbaugh, J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum and Roman Wilson. That’s not to mention the losses on the offensive line and defense.
Best Bet
While the new 12-team playoff could lead to more upsets and surprises, Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs (+350) seem like the surest bet in college football with Nick Saban out of the picture.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
