CFB National Championship Odds: CFP Spots Filled, Bama Sneaks In
After falling in the SEC title game, the Georgia Bulldogs hunt for a three-peat was officially ended.
Instead, the Michigan Wolverines have taken over as favorites as the College Football Playoff spots are locked and loaded.
2023 College Football National Championship Odds
College Football National Championship Betting Picks
Here are the favorites to win the 2023 college football national championship.
Michigan wolverines national championship favorites
Despite the season's adversity of Jim Harbaugh's sign-stealing investigation and suspensions, Michigan (13-0 SU, 7-5-1 ATS) earned the first spot in the CFP. A 26-0 win over Iowa in the Big Ten championship sealed the deal and the Wolverines' defense continued its season-long success, allowing just 9.5 PPG this year.
Michigan really stayed intact the las two outings, thrillingly taking down Ohio State in 30-24 during Week 13. On the offensive side, RB Blake Corum has been a star. The senior was the only FBS player to score in each game this season and carries over 1,000 rushing yards with his 24 touchdowns.
After some CFP committee controversy, Michigan will meet Alabama in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day. Yes, Harbaugh will be on the sidelines. No, the team didn't seem thrilled about the news.
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 3, 2023
The big, bad blue are getting all the credit. Michigan got a couple of courteous nods after wrapping up the 2022 regular season 13-0 for its best record since 1998. The effort had the Wolverines enter the first AP Poll ranked second, its highest preseason ranking since 1991, and they haven't budged. So, yeah, I'm not alone in thinking they're one of the best to watch.
Washington Huskies hard work pays off
Of course, I'm looking at the final undefeated team in a tough Pac-12. This conference was highly competitive in its final year with Oregon, Utah, USC, Arizona and Oregon State all being potential CFP contenders at one point this year.
Despite being 10-point underdogs, the Huskies (12-0 SU, 5-6-1 ATS) handled business in the title game, defeating Oregon again by three-points to secure their spot in the postseason.
Micheal Penix Jr. is leading the dangerous passing attack. The senior has piled up over 4,200 yards for 33 touchdowns. In three of his last four, Penix has completed 57% or less of his passes but don't put it past him to step up and connect on those crucial plays down the field. His longest hurls typically average around the 45-yard mark per game.
This throw by Michael Penix Jr. was a beauty ����@UW_Footballpic.twitter.com/yVdaJO84rp
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 2, 2023
Their receiving corps is lethal, with the tandem of Rome Odunze, earning 1,428 yards in 2023, and Ja'Lynn Polk, sparkling with 21 touchdowns combined. Have Washington's last four dubs been within a touchdown or less? Yes. But, it's been a tough schedule and at least we know the Huskies are prepared to go head-to-head with some of the best in the nation.
They'll thrash against the Texas Longhorns in the Sugar Bowl. Look for Penix to have fun against the Longhorns passing defense, that lets up over 240 YPG (ranked 85th).
alabama sneaks into CFP
Wow, I'm shocked I say in the purest, most sarcastic tone of my life. It was a tight 27-24 finish, but the Tide rolled through the Dawgs. You just knew right after Alabama ended Georgia's 29-game win streak in the SEC game, that the committee was going to give them a sniff at the CFP again.
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 3, 2023
Despite a single loss and losing to Texas in Week 2, Nick Saban's group was selected over an undefeated Florida State group.
It'll be an even matchup against the Wolverines, where each rank in the nation's top 25 for scoring and scoring defense. The lesson learned, you never really can count out 'Bama. The script for an undeniably heated Alabama/Texas National Championship could be writing itself.
Last 10 College Football National Championship Winners
What Is A Futures Bet For College Football Teams?
When it comes to big events for any sport, you can bet months in advance. In this case, a futures bet is a wager made on which team will win the national championship. Each week, oddsmakers will update the odds to reflect how a squad is doing. If a team is plagued with injuries, their chances of making it to the final game slim down. A surging squad will see their odds skyrocket.
Understanding College Football Championship Odds
When you go to a college football sportsbook, you’ll see the betting lines laid out like this:
Georgia opens as the fave since the Bulldogs have the lowest odds. The Crimson Tide and Buckeyes are considered underdogs.
If you believe that Georgia has the best chance of winning the championship, and you bet $100 on them, you’d get a payout of $275 – your original $100 is returned along with your winnings of $175. On the other hand, if you’re looking at Ohio State and think they’re going to win it all, that same $100 would give you $450 – you get your $100 back, plus your prize of $350. Our odds calculating tool will show you how much you’d win based on the odds and amount bet.
When you see futures odds that you like, it’s best to jump on them early. As mentioned above, betting sites will adjust the odds as we get closer to bowl season and teams move up and down in the standings.
