Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day workes with players during spring football practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
- Bets are coming in on which teams will qualify for the 12-team College Football Playoff
- Ohio State is drawing a substantial amount of the handle to qualify for the CFP
- Read below for the most wagered on teams to make the expanded 12-team CFP
The college football playoff bracket is expanding to 12 teams, and sportsbooks are offering odds on which teams will qualify. We have received data showing which teams are receiving the most action to make the expanded 12-team CFP at one particular sportsbook.
Bettors are bullish on Ohio State making the expanded CFP in 2024-25, as BetMGM data shows OSU as the most bet team to make the CFP. Ryan Day’s team catches a break with Jim Harbaugh departing for the NFL, although conference newcomers Oregon and USC aren’t to be taken lightly.
The table below shows the teams that have received the most handle (total money) to make the CFP at BetMGM Sportsbook. Under the table, find our analysis.
Most Bet Teams to Make CFP 2024-2025
| Team | Handle % at BetMGM | Current CFP Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 30.92% | -750 |
| Utah | 15.62% | +250 |
| Oregon | 8.59% | -250 |
| Alabama | 7.38% | +115 |
| Colorado | 4.69% | +2000 |
| Iowa | 3.71% | +650 |
| Notre Dame | 2.78% | -165 |
| Texas A&M | 2.48% | +300 |
| Mississippi | 2.28% | -130 |
| Missouri | 2.16% | +180 |
| Kansas | 2.10% | +600 |
| Kansas State | 1.66% | +275 |
We are using handle percentage (actual money) instead of total numbers of bets, as we feel it’s a better identifier of sharp money. There’s no way to know how many of the bets are substantial without looking at handle.
If you are curious about which teams have drawn the most number of bets in general, BetMGM’s supplied list is Colorado (10.35%), Alabama (8.6%), Utah (8.2%), Iowa (7.4%), and Kansas State (5.5%).
Data supplied by BetMGM Sportsbook and current as of July 2024. Register with the BetMGM promo code to bet on the expanded CFP bracket.
Bettors Hammering Ohio State
Sportsbooks aren’t hiding the one team that is drawing the most action to make the expanded CFP bracket. Big 10 powerhouse Ohio State is receiving a whopping 30.92% of the handle to make the CFP at BetMGM Sportsbook. That is nearly double the amount of cash the next team on the list has gotten.
What makes this interesting is the fact the Buckeyes are heavy -750 juice to make the postseason. OSU originally opened at -550 to make the CFP, so big-money bettors likely felt the original price was undervalued despite already being quite pricey (bet $550 to win $100).
.@EASPORTSCollege Top 💯 Ratings pic.twitter.com/Y3maNwpO3t
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) July 10, 2024
We don’t argue with Ohio State drawing the most handle to make the expanded CFP in 2024-25. This team is truly loaded with All-American safety Caleb Downs and back-to-back 1000-yard rusher Quincy Judkins joining a star-studded roster. The Buckeyes also play eight games at home compared to three on the road.
It may be puzzling to see Ohio State at the top of this list while Georgia doesn’t crack the top-12. However, it’s worth noting that this is just one sportsbook, and UGA has still gotten 1.4% of BetMGM’s total CFP bets. However, their handle percentage is a mere 0.2%.
The Bulldogs could very easily wind up back in the National Championship game, and it’s wild to envision them not making the playoff. However, bettors likely see CFP qualification as easier for Ohio State with Big Ten powerhouse Michigan losing coach Jim Harbaugh and plenty of talent to the NFL.
Is Utah Sneaky Good Value to Make CFP?
The team that really jumps out on the list of the most bet teams to make the CFP is Utah. Kyle Whittingham’s team is drawing 15.62% of the handle to make the CFP after failing to qualify for the Pac-12 championship last season.
Utah was one of the most dominant teams in the Pac-12, and now they are moving to the much weaker Big 12 Conference. Texas and Oklahoma, two former Big 12 powerhouses, are now in the SEC, and the Utes avoid rising conference heavyweight Kansas State in the regular season.
Big 12 logo on Utah’s jersey and helmet. pic.twitter.com/WCIdpN4Ys0
— Joe Coles (@JoeAColes) July 9, 2024
Utah’s implied probability of making the 12-team CFP is just 28.6%, which is pretty hard value to pass up. Utah opened at +300 to make the CFP, so some big wagers are likely driving this odds shift at sportsbooks. Most casual fans aren’t placing any serious football bets at this point in the summer.
An experienced quarterback is so important in football, and Utah will return Cam Rising for his seventh and final season. Rising will have no shortage of weapons at his disposal. Arizona transfer Dorian Singer, an All-Pac-12 selection in 2023, joins a loaded receiving corps that includes deep threat Devaughn Vele.
Cam Rising on the rivalry game against BYU… pic.twitter.com/CEqJ26ndsS
— Dana Greene (@dana_greene) July 9, 2024
Utah’s true bread-and-butter however is its defense and ground game. In the backfield, Utah boasts a potent 1-2 punch with the elusive Micah Bernard and bruising Ja’Quinden Jackson. Defensively, the Utes return seven starters from a unit that led the Pac-12 in scoring defense last season.
Considering the Utes made the Pac-12 Championship in four of the past five seasons, we are intrigued by their plus-money value in the CFP odds. One team from each Power 5 conference is guaranteed a spot in the bracket, and Utah is favored in the Big 12 Title odds.
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
With the recent expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams, fans and analysts alike are buzzing with excitement over the potential matchups and outcomes. While it’s still early in the season, there are a few teams that are already standing out as favorites to make a run at the playoff.
One team that is garnering a lot of attention is the Alabama Crimson Tide. Led by head coach Nick Saban, Alabama has been a dominant force in college football for years and is always a threat to make a deep playoff run. With a strong offense led by quarterback Bryce Young and a stout defense, the Crimson Tide are poised to make a strong push for a playoff spot.
Another team to keep an eye on is the Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia has been one of the most consistent teams in college football in recent years and has a talented roster that is capable of competing with anyone in the country. Led by quarterback JT Daniels and a ferocious defense, the Bulldogs are expected to be a top contender for a playoff spot this season.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are also a team to watch in the expanded playoff format. Ohio State has been a perennial playoff contender under head coach Ryan Day and has one of the most explosive offenses in the country. With quarterback C.J. Stroud leading the way, the Buckeyes have the firepower to compete with anyone and are expected to be in the mix for a playoff spot.
Other teams that are predicted to make a strong push for a playoff spot include the Oklahoma Sooners, Clemson Tigers, and Oregon Ducks. These teams all have talented rosters and experienced coaching staffs that have proven they can compete at the highest level of college football.
While it’s still early in the season and anything can happen, these teams are the early favorites to make a run at the College Football Playoff in the expanded bracket format. Fans can expect plenty of excitement and drama as these teams battle it out for a chance to compete for a national championship.