Who Has the Best Odds to Make the CFB Playoff this Season?
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The expanded 12-team structure means that multiple teams have favorable odds to make the CFB Playoff this season. There can still only be one true CFP winner, but more teams than ever will be alive in the race at the end of the regular season.
This is great news for bettors because you can make and win more wagers on teams’ CFP playoff odds. Keep reading to see the latest odds to make the 12-team playoff. I will break down the latest odds on the top-ranked college football programs courtesy of the best NCAAF betting sites and give my free CFP predictions.
Current Favorites to Make the Expanded CFB Playoffs
Last Update: September 10
The 2024-2025 college football season is underway and early upsets have causes huge shake ups in the latest CFB playoff odds.
Check out the able below for the updated odds to make the CFB playoffs, courtesy of Bovada Sportsbook.
| Team | CFB Playoff Odds | Previous Odds* | Record | Championship Odds | Previous Championship Odds* |
| Ohio State | -800 | -650 | 2-0 | +350 | +375 |
| Georgia | -800 | -550 | 2-0 | +275 | +310 |
| Oregon | N/A | -325 | 2-0 | +1100 | +750 |
| Texas | -440 | -250 | 2-0 | +500 | +800 |
| Notre Dame | N/A | -200 | 1-1 | +8000 | +2400 |
| Penn State | -230 | -165 | 2-0 | +2200 | +2600 |
| Ole Miss | -200 | -140 | 2-0 | +1500 | +1500 |
| Alabama | -180 | -110 | 2-0 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Michigan | +525 | +100 | 1-1 | +12500 | +2500 |
| LSU | +245 | +100 | 1-1 | +4000 | +1600 |
| Florida State | N/A | +140 | 0-2 | +40000 | +2500 |
| Missouri | +150 | +165 | 2-0 | +4000 | +3500 |
| Tennessee | -105 | +175 | 2-0 | +2500 | +3500 |
| Clemson | +190 | +200 | 1-1 | +5000 | +4000 |
| Miami | -160 | +200 | 2-0 | +2000 | +4000 |
*Previous odds were provided by BetUS Sportsbook.
As of the time of writing, Bovada Sportsbook does not have updated CFB playoff odds for Oregon, Notre Dame, or Florida State. Oregon has high hopes this season, but they needed a last-second field goal to beat unranked Boise State 37-34. Notre Dame lost 16-14 to an unranked Norther Illinois team, and FSU, who has started the season 0-2, has effectively been eliminated from the playoffs.
Ohio State
- Odds to make CFB Playoffs: -800
- Odds to miss CFB Playoffs: +460
- National Championship odds: +350
After a strong start to the season, Ohio State has shortened from a -650 to a -800 favorite to make the CFB playoffs. They are tied for the best odds to make the College Football Playoffs this year. However, not everyone has been as impressed with the Buckeyes this year.
Ohio State has outscored opponents 108-6 through two games this year. However, they have played Western Michigan and Akron to start the season. Their weak opening schedule is one reason the Buckeyes have slid from second to third in the latest AP Top 25 rankings.
The Buckeyes should make the playoffs and have a chance at winning their first National Championship in over a decade. Ohio State’s National Championship odds have shortened slightly from +375 to +350.
Georgia
- Odds to make CFB Playoffs: -800
- Odds to miss CFB Playoffs: +460
- National Championship odds: +275
The other team listed at -800 to make the CFP this season is the Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia was listed at -550 before the season, and their odds have shortened after a dominant start to the season. The Bulldogs opened the year with a 48-3 win over Tennessee Tech and then demolished Clemson 34-3 in Week 2.
Georgia is currently the top-ranked team in the country, and they should be in the hunt for an SEC Championship later this season. However, they will face a tough test at the end of September when they head to Tuscaloosa to battle (#4) Alabama.
Bovada has Georgia as the +275 favorite to win the National Championship this season. Their odds have improved slightly from their preseason odds of +310.
Texas
- Odds to make CFB Playoffs: -440
- Odds to miss CFB Playoffs: +295
- National Championship odds: +500
Texas jumped Ohio State in the AP Top 25 after the Longhorns dominating win over Michigan. The Longhorns beat the Wolverines 31-12 in The Big House. Michigan is far from the team it was last season, but it is still a top-12 team, and Ohio State has not defeated the Wolverines since November 2019.
The Longhorns made the CFP last year when only four teams qualified. Texas appears to be a top four team again, so they should easily make the cut now that 12 teams are allowed in the tournament.
Texas was available at +800 odds to win the National Championship before the season started. Now, Bovada has the Longhorns listed at +500 to win it all this year.
Alabama
- Odds to make CFB Playoffs: -180
- Odds to miss CFB Playoffs: +135
- National Championship odds: +1200
The Crimson Tide are another playoff team from last season looking to make the tournament again this year. Alabama opened as -110 favorites to qualify or the playoffs, and they are listed at -180 in the latest odds to make the CFB playoffs.
As I mentioned above, Alabama faces Georgia at the end of September. The loser should still make the playoff, but their odds could fade slightly. So, it could be better to wait to bet on Alabama until after they face the Bulldogs.
Despite their odds of making the playoff improving, Alabama’s championship odds have remained steady. They were listed at 12-1 to win the National Champion before the season, and their odds have not moved, yet.
Missouri
- Odds to make CFB Playoffs: +150
- Odds to miss CFB Playoffs: -200
- National Championship odds: +4000
The CFB playoff odds at Bovada and the AP Top 25 are both littered with SEC teams. One surprising team this season has been Missouri, which is currently ranked 6th in the country. The Tigers have struggled to stay relevant since moving to the SEC, but the expanded playoff could change that.
Missouri’s odds to make the playoff have shortened from +165 to +150 after their 2-0 start. If the Tigers can finish in the top 10, they should be a lock to make the playoffs. Staving off the other SEC teams battling for a playoff spot, Such as Ole Miss and Tennessee, could be easier said than done, though.
The Tigers have outscored opponents 89-0 to start the year, but their schedule will become significantly more challenging as the season goes along. They still have to play (#24) Boston College, (#4) Alabama, and (#15) Oklahoma.
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College football is expanding from a four-team playoff format to a 12-team playoff. As a result, you can make more winning wagers on teams to make the playoffs than ever before. Instead of having a chance to win four of these futures wagers, you can win up to 12 of them.
Check out the table below to see the 15 teams with the best CFB Playoff odds for 2024, courtesy of BetUS Sportsbook.
| Team | CFB Playoff Odds | Record Last Season | Championship Odds |
| Ohio State | -650 | 11-2 | +375 |
| Georgia | -550 | 13-1 | +310 |
| Oregon | -325 | 12-2 | +750 |
| Texas | -250 | 12-2 | +800 |
| Notre Dame | -200 | 10-3 | +2400 |
| Penn State | -165 | 10-3 | +2600 |
| Ole Miss | -140 | 11-2 | +1500 |
| Alabama | -110 | 12-2 | +1200 |
| Michigan | +100 | 15-0 | +2500 |
| LSU | +100 | 10-3 | +1600 |
| Florida State | +140 | 13-1 | +2500 |
| Missouri | +165 | 11-2 | +3500 |
| Tennessee | +175 | 9-4 | +3500 |
| Clemson | +200 | 9-4 | +4000 |
| Miami | +200 | 7-6 | +4000 |
Ohio State (-650)
- To make the playoffs: -650
- To miss the playoffs: +450
- National Championship Odds: +375
The Ohio State Buckeyes have the best odds of any team to make the new 12-team CFP this season. BetUS has the Buckeyes listed at -650 to make the postseason this year. In a separate futures wager that focuses solely on the Buckeyes, Ohio State is still listed at -650 to make the postseason, and they are available at +450 to miss the playoff.
Ohio State is also listed at +375 to win the National Championship this year. The Buckeyes went 11-2 last season, finishing just inside the top 10 in the final AP Top 25. If new quarterback Will Howard really is an upgrade over Kyle McCord, then the Buckeyes should be a lock to make the playoffs.
Georgia (-550)
- To make the playoffs: -600
- To miss the playoffs: +400
- National Championship Odds: +310
Up next are the Georgia Bulldogs, who are listed at -550 to make the playoffs in this wager. In a separate wager concerning just the Bulldogs’ playoff chances, they are even bigger favorites at -600 and are listed at +400 to miss the postseason. Georgia went 13-1 last season, with their only loss coming in the SEC Championship.
Georgia (+310) has slightly better odds to actually win the National Championship than Ohio State (+375). However, the Bulldogs will have a more challenging path to the postseason in the SEC than the Buckeyes will have in the Big 10. Despite the increase in difficulty, Georgia should be one of the 12 teams to make the playoffs.
Oregon (-325)
- To make the playoffs: -300
- To miss the playoffs: +240
- National Championship Odds: +750
The Oregon Ducks were a popular pick to make the playoff last season, but they lost to Washington twice and finished outside of the top four with a 12-2 record. With a 12-team playoff now in place, though, the Ducks should be able to make the cut for the postseason. They are listed at -325 to make the playoffs in this futures market.
Succeeding as a new team in the Big 10 will be easier said than done. I doubt they will win it all, but recent quarterback transfer Dillon Gabriel should be able to get Oregon into the tournament.
Texas (-250)
- To make the playoffs: -210
- To miss the playoffs:+170
- National Championship Odds: +800
The Longhorns’ 12-1 record was enough to earn them a playoff berth, but they lost to Washington in the Semi-Final. Texas (-250) may get the last laugh, though, as they have the best odds of any CFP team from last year to return to the playoffs this year.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers returned for a final season at Texas, but he will be without his top weapons from last season. Jonathan Brooks, Adonai Mitchell, and Xavier Worthy are all in the NFL. Moving to the SEC will also make it more challenging for the Longhorns to make the playoffs this season.
Notre Dame (-200)
- To make the playoffs: -180
- To miss the playoffs: +150
- National Championship Odds: +2400
Secure sports betting sites have Notre Dame listed at -200 to make the 12-team playoff but just +2400 to win the National championship. The Fightin’ Irish are at a slight disadvantage because, as an independent team, they cannot win an automatic bid by winning one of the top conferences.
The Irish finished just outside of the top 12 last year, but they still finished the season with just three losses on their record. If they can cut their losses down to two, then Notre Dame should be able to make the cut for the playoffs.
Alabama (-110)
- To make the playoffs: -115
- To miss the playoffs: -115
- National Championship Odds: +1200
Alabama is listed at -110 to make the playoffs in its first season after the end of the Nick Saban era. In its solo futures market, the Crimson Tide is listed as a coin flip to make or miss the playoffs, with both outcomes available at -115.
The Crimson Tide will have to contender with more competition than usual in the SEC this season, with Texas and Oklahoma joining the conference. Being one of the top teams in the best conference has also been tough, though. On the bright side, QB Jalen Milroe, who led the team to playoffs last year, is returning for another season.
Dark Horse CFB Candidates
Every season, there are seemingly surprise teams that make a playoff push. With the expanded playoff structure, there are even more chances for dark horse teams to make the playoffs. Here are five teams whose chances of making the postseason are better than their betting odds suggest.
Iowa (+650)
The Hawkeyes won 10 games and finished in the top 25 in 2023 despite averaging just 15.4 points per game. With Michigan presumably taking a step back, Iowa should have a chance to finish with the third-best record in the Big 10. With any luck, that could be enough to get Iowa into the playoffs.
Oklahoma State (+800)
Oklahoma State also finished in the Top 25 and will face an easier path to the conference title this year in a depleted Big 12. Oklahoma and Texas are now in the SEC, potentially opening the door for the Cowboys to win the conference and make the playoffs.
Colorado (+1000)
Speaking of the Big 12, Colorado will join the conference this year after the collapse of the Pac-12. The Buffaloes started hot last season but quickly fizzled. If they can take a step forward in year two under Deion Sanders, then Colorado could find themselves in the postseason.
SMU (+1200)
SMU finished 11-2 in 2023, and they will face one of the easiest schedules in the ACC this season. Their two toughest games come in back-to-back weeks against Florida State and Louisville. If the Mustangs can win at least one of those games, they should be in contention for a playoff spot.
Tulane (+1200)
Tulane was SMU’s biggest competition in the AAC last season, and they could be set up for another double-digit win season this year. Back-to-back losses to end the season have many people overlooking the Green Wave this year, but they are in a great position to be in the top 12 at the end of the 2024 season.
Who Will Make the CFB Playoff in 2024?
There will be dozens of teams vying to make the postseason in the expanded 12-team system. In the end, only 12 teams can make the playoffs. Here are my best bets based on the latest CFB odds to make the playoffs.
- Ohio State (-650)
- Georgia (-550)
- Oregon (-325)
- Texas (-250)
- Notre Dame (-200)
- Penn State (-165)
- Ole Miss (-140)
- Alabama (-110)
- Clemson (+200)
- Louisville (+450)
- Iowa (+650)
- Colorado (+1000)
What Are Your College Football Playoff Odds Predictions?
There are plenty of familiar teams in the current odds to make the CFB playoff this season. This will be the first season with the expanded 12-team format, so more teams than ever will make the postseason cut.
Check out the guide above to see the latest odds of making the College Football Playoff for the 2024 season. I break down the top favorites and give my CFP predictions for this season. After reading my picks, sign up at BetUS Sportsbook to place your college football futures.
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