College Football Playoff Odds Entering Week 3

After Notre Dame’s big win on the road at Texas A&M to solidify its status as one of the College Football Playoff favorites, the Irish suffered a humiliating loss at home to Northern Illinois. And now, as we look ahead to the projected 12 teams still standing at the end of the season, Notre Dame is on the outside looking in.

Georgia (-750)

The Georgia Bulldogs are the No. 1 ranked team in the country, and they are the betting favorite to win the SEC (+165). Last year, Georgia missed the College Football Playoff. But they are nearly a cinch to return this coming postseason.

Ohio State (-750)

Ohio State was another team that was left out of the CFP last season after they lost to Michigan. But as the No. 3 team in the country and the current betting favorite to win the Big Ten (+110), look for the Buckeyes to get back into the field.

Texas (-450)

In the AP Top 25, the Texas Longhorns actually jumped ahead of Ohio State after their impressive win at Michigan. Texas is for real, and at the moment, they appear to be the biggest challenger to Georgia in the SEC. Quarterback Quinn Ewers is now the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy (+500).

Oregon (-330)

In their first season in the Big Ten, the Oregon Ducks are expected to compete for the conference title, and they are paying +280 to win the Big Ten. Oregon has yet to look like that expected championship team, beating Idaho by just 10 points (they were favored by 49) and Boise State by just three points (they were 18-point favorites). Still, this is Oregon, and this week they should look like themselves against rival Oregon State.

Penn State (-220)

Penn State is also off to a less than stellar start to the season, squeaking past Bowling Green last week, 34-27. But with Kent State and Illinois next on the schedule, the Nittany Lions should keep winning through the first half of the season.

Ole Miss (-200)

Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart has accounted for eight touchdowns. Through two games, he has just seven incompletions. He completed 24 straight passes last week against Middle Tennessee State and is currently at +950 to win the Heisman Trophy. After two easy wins for Mississippi, they now play Wake Forest, which will count as a real test.

Alabama (-175)

We still aren’t really sure what to expect from Alabama under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer. The Crimson Tide allowed USF to hang around last week into the fourth quarter, and the offensive line as a whole hasn’t looked great. But winning is a way of life in Alabama, and quarterback Jalen Milroe is one of the top players in college football. 

Miami Fl. (-150)

Miami doesn’t have to play Clemson in the regular season, and there are no other serious challengers to the Hurricanes in the ACC. Quarterback Cam Ward is outstanding (+750 to win the Heisman) and the defense is filled with talent. Miami has never been in the College Football Playoff, but oddsmakers think that will change this season.

Tennessee (+100)

North Carolina State was a ranked team last week, and Tennessee beat up on them like they were a homecoming cupcake. 51-10, following up on their 69-3 win in Week 1 over Chattanooga. Alabama and Georgia are on the schedule for later in the season, but right now, the Vols look like an SEC contender.

Missouri (+155)

The Missouri Tigers have yet to allow a point this season, beating Murray State, 51-0, and Buffalo, 38-0. Boston College is expected to score this weekend when they visit Columbia, but as 17-point favorites, Missouri should win easily. The Tigers are now up to No. 6 in the most recent AP poll, but we won’t really know how good they are until a three-week stretch at the end of October that has them facing Auburn, Alabama, and Oklahoma.

Other CFP Contenders

Several other teams have realistic hopes of making the CFP, beginning with USC (+170). The Trojans jumped into the fray with their Week 1 win over LSU.

Clemson lost to Georgia in Week 1, and they are paying +200. Utah is also at +200, and is the +240 favorite to win the Big 12. Kansas State is +390 to win the Big 12 and +300 to make the CFP. Liberty is a heavy favorite to win Conference USA, and is paying +350 to make the CFP. Also paying +350 are Boise State and Notre Dame.