There's no question there are high expectations for the Ohio State Buckeyes after the program loaded up with returning players and a few key transfer additions. It's also fair for college football bettors to see Michigan as a force coming off their own 15-0 season. But the Colorado Buffaloes were unexpectedly named as a betting favorite for fans entering the 2024 season.
Ohio State, Michigan, and Colorado Top CFB Bets
The college football betting market can be a tricky one to maneuver. As the College Football Playoff expands to 12, it's true there are technically more opportunities available for unexpected title contenders to emerge. However, there's also a required baseline of talent, which Ohio State and Michigan both meet.
The Buckeyes are listed as +400 to win the 2024-2025 National Championship, which only trails the Georgia Bulldogs (+300). Although I think the Buckeyes should get the nod here, boasting the best defense in the nation and an overhauled offense with Chip Kelly as the new coordinator, at least that makes sense.
Michigan is the second-leading bet-getter, per FanDuel Sportsbook. They're a popular longshot at +2800, likely because they just won it. That one is a little tougher sell, but there's some level of logic considering their success against Ohio State, the expanded playoff, and the nature of how one or two injuries could create an easier path for them.
However, the shocking inclusion into the top five bets, specifically landing third, is Colorado. The Buffaloes got out to a hot start in 2023 before finishing the season with a whimper. Head coach Deion Sanders has been a hot topic for fans and media alike, but his 4-8 record last year is something that must be improved upon.
While I like what Coach Prime brings to the game and think his son Shedeur Sanders is a legit NFL prospect , this team stinks. They were massively overrated in College Football 25 , and bettors have essentially paid the books' debts for the year by continuing to throw money at the #SkoBuffs.
FanDuel Sportsbook CFB National Championship Odds
Behind Ohio State, Michigan, and Colorado are two unsurprising programs. The Bulldogs are the fourth-most bet on team, returning QB Carson Beck and a defense that will undoubtedly make most teams sweat in their sleep the night before. If Ohio State doesn't win it all, the Bulldogs seem like the most reasonable answer for who is up next.
Then we see Alabama at +1500. Again, there's a program familiarity here that boosts the Crimson Tide's handle, but bettors have more reason to believe in the Tide than the Wolverines.
The Wolverines have a ton of new starters and a first-time head coach to develop, whereas the Tide have Kalen DeBoer as their new boss. DeBoer is much more qualified than Sherrone Moore in terms of previous accomplishments, almost winning a national title at Washington last year.
He also has a star QB in Jalen Milroe to build his attack around.
It's possible it won't matter, and the situation and program matter more than just the coaching pedigree. Michigan has relied upon older players as Jim Harbaugh maximized his competition window. However, losing over 20 players to graduation from the oldest team in CFB history will surely sting.
Regardless, here is a large list of top CFB championship winner odds from FanDuel:
- Georgia (+300)
- Ohio State (+400)
- Oregon (+800)
- Texas (+850)
- Alabama (+1500)
- Ole Miss (+1700)
- LSU (+2000)
- Penn State (+2200)
- Notre Dame (+2200)
- Florida State (+2800)
- Michigan (+2800)
- Tennessee (+3300)
- Missouri (+4000)
- Texas A&M (+4000)
- Clemson (+5500)
- Utah (+6000)
- Miami (+6000)
- USC (+7000)
- Oklahoma (+7000)
- Kansas State (+7000)
- NC State (+10000)
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