One of the biggest games of the college football season so far has caused a stir in several unusual markets, including the market for betting favorites to make the 12 teams in the College Football Playoff.
The playoff officially expands to 12 teams this season, meaning an early season loss or a midseason conference loss may not disqualify a program from competing for a national title, as in years past.
That’s an important note, considering how few big-name programs have already lost.
Let’s check out the 12-team Playoff odds at FanDuel Sportsbook from Oct. 1.
BETTING FAVORITES TO MAKE THE 12-TEAM CFP PLAYOFF FIELD:
Alabama: -1200 (bet $10 to win $10.83 total)
Ohio State: -1000 (bet $10 to win $11 total)
Texas: -750 (bet $10 to win $11.33 total)
Oregon: -500 (bet $10 to win $12 total)
Tennessee: -310 (bet $10 to win $13.23 total)
Georgia: -290 (bet $10 to win $10 to win $13.45 total)
Miami: -200 (bet $10 to win $15 total)
Penn State: -170 (bet $10 to win $15.88 total)
Notre Dame: +100 (bet $10 to win $20)
Ole Miss: +110 (bet $10 to win $21 total)
Missouri: +125 (bet $10 to win $22.50 total)
Clemson: +150 (bet $10 to win $25 total)
USC: +170 (bet $10 to win $27 total)
Boise County: +200 (bet $10 to win $30 total)
Utah: +230 (bet $10 to win $33 total)
Iowa State: +250 (bet $10 to win $35 total)
Texas A&M: +300 ($10 bet to win $40 total)
At -1200, Alabama has the shortest chance of making the 12-team postseason. After the win over Georgia in Week 5, those odds shortened from -350.
Next on the board is Ohio State at -1000. The Buckeyes rolled to a 4-0 record, including a decisive 38-7 victory over Michigan State over the weekend, which helped turn their odds from -850.
Rounding out the top three is Texas at 750, despite losing quarterback Quinn Ewers to injury.
Alabama beats Georgia in a quick classic
The biggest drop is Georgia at -290. The Dawgs’ 41-34 loss to the Tide changed their line to make the playoffs from 550.
Two weeks ago, there were 850.
Those odds could take a long time because, as Golden Nugget sportsbook executive director Tony Miller points out, Georgia’s program is no walk in the park.
“Look at the Georgia slate coming,” Miller said. “They still have Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss and Tennessee. That’s an unreal stretch against the top four teams in the country.
“It doesn’t get any stronger than that.”
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