- College football introduced a new 12-team playoff format for the 2024-25 season
- Five of the highest-ranked conference champions receive automatic bids and the next seven highest-ranked teams round out the bracket
- The CFP National Championship Game will take place on Monday, January 20, 2025 in Atlanta
Which 12 schools will compete in the new 12-team College Football Playoff? While some blue blood programs are virtual locks, lots of spots are up for grabs after a wild start to the season that’s already seen six AP Top 25 teams lose to unranked opponents. None bigger than Northern Illinois’ 16-14 shocking win over No. 5 Notre Dame last Saturday.
With more upsets likely on the way, let’s look at the 12-team CFP Playoff odds before Week 3. You can also check out our 2024-25 College Football Betting Resources and get the best National Championship Future Odds.
To Make 12 Team Playoff
Tournament locks
Ohio State (-850), Georgia (-750), Texas (-650) and Oregon (-350) are heavy favorites to reach the inaugural 12-team playoff. The Buckeyes are coming off a 56-0 victory over Western Michigan and look like a Big Ten championship lock after Michigan was clobbered by the Longhorns 31-12 in the Big House.
Kirby Smart’s club crushed Clemson 34-3 in Week 1 before levelling a 48-3 beatdown on Tennessee Tech for their 41st consecutive regular season victory. Meanwhile, the Ducks narrowly survived its Week 2 meeting with Boise State, winning 37-34 on a walk-off field goal.
Saturday, Kentucky will be attempting to do what no SEC team has done in a regular season game since Nov. 7, 2020. That is beat the Georgia Bulldogs. https://t.co/3D45ELQ0TG
— John Clay (@johnclayiv) September 11, 2024
Bets to beware
Tennessee (-110) looks like easy money after winning its first two contests by over 100 combined points. However, the Volunteers face No. 15 Oklahoma next Saturday in addition to No. 4 Alabama and the No. 1 Bulldogs later this season. With two losses almost guaranteed, Josh Heupel’s squad can’t afford to slip up in its other eight games.
Ole Miss (-200) looks like a shoo-in with 1,437 total yards and 128 points in its first two contests. But starting in mid-October, the No. 5 Rebels will play No. 16 LSU, the No. 15 Sooners and Georgia, all in the span of a month.
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Wagers we like
Utah (+150) outlasted Baylor on Saturday to pick up a 23-12 win without Cam Rising, who left in the second quarter with a hand injury that’s being described as “not real serious”. With their QB back in the fold, Kyle Whittingham’s club should take down No. 13 Oklahoma State and No. 20 Arizona over the next month. If they do, the only other ranked opponent in the Utes’ path to the postseason is No. 21 Iowa State.
LSU (+250) dropped its opener against USC, but Brian Kelly’s club also suffered early-season losses to Florida Sate and Ole Miss in 2024 before heating up. If the Tigers top the Rebels at home in October, they’ll be back on track for a top-12 spot.
“If it was up to me we’d play at 9 o clock in the morning, kegs and eggs and football.”
Matt Rhule a true football guy.
pic.twitter.com/R6OZjnsF2C— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 9, 2024
Best Longshot
Nebraska (+600) is ranked No. 23 heading into Week 3 following an easy 28-10 victory over Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes. While they could be trounced by Ohio State in October, the program seems to be back on the path to relevance in Matt Rhule’s second season. With talented freshman quarterback, Dylan Raiola, and a defense that’s allowed 24 points or less in nine straight games, the Cornhuskers might just secure a place in the CFP playoffs.
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