Analyzing the CFP Quarterfinal Odds and Early Predictions for Each Matchup

• The College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchups are set with one game on New Year’s Eve and three on New Year’s Day
• Georgia (-1.5) is favored in a tight Sugar Bowl matchup with Notre Dame, while Ohio State (-1.5) is slightly favored over Oregon
• Below, see the opening College Football Playoff quarterfinal odds and early betting predictions

After a wild first round of the expanded College Football Playoff, we’re down to eight teams. The CFP quarterfinal matchups are loaded with storylines, including the Georgia Bulldogs taking on Notre Dame without Carson Beck.

Meanwhile, the high-flying Ducks are looking to justify that #1 seed against Ohio State in a huge rematch at the Rose Bowl. Elsewhere, can Arizona State keep pace with a loaded Texas squad?

Here’s a look at the opening odds for all four CFP quarterfinal games, plus early predictions.

College Football Playoff: Quarterfinal Odds

Penn State and Texas are both double-digit favorites in their respective quarterfinal CFP matchups. The other two games, however, have very tight spreads. Georgia and Ohio State are favored by just 1.5 points, respectively, in their quarterfinal clashes.

Odds as of Dec. 21 at FanDuel and DraftKings. Grab the DraftKings promo code to bet on the 2024-25 College Football Playoff.

Early CFP Quarterfinal Predictions

Let’s dive into a couple CFP quarterfinal betting lines that catch my eye.

Sugar Bowl Under 44 Points Looking Juicy

With Carson Beck sidelined with that nagging elbow injury, this Sugar Bowl matchup against Notre Dame has all the makings of a defensive slugfest. Marcus Freeman’s Irish rank third nationally in scoring defense (13.8 PPG), while Kirby Smart’s defensive front should give Notre Dame’s offense fits all night.

Look for first-time starter Gunner Stockton to keep things simple in the Georgia offense, making the under 44 a recommended play.

“That kid played tough as nails… he’s a phenomenal leader, and I think everybody rose up around him.”

– @GeorgiaFootball head coach Kirby Smart on Gunner Stockton pic.twitter.com/mLK4DQWoui

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 8, 2024

Notre Dame’s sticky man coverage lets DC Al Golden dial up the heat – something that could really rattle the inexperienced Stockton. The Irish D has been flat-out nasty this season, ranking fourth in opponent EPA per play and eighth in defensive success rate.

Both squads are likely to pound the rock, with the Irish unleashing speedster Jeremiyah Love while the Dawgs lean on Trevor Etienne to control the clock. The run-heavy approach should eat up time and keep scoring at a premium.

That 44-point total actually looks generous considering these defensive juggernauts and Georgia’s QB situation. Multiple sharp bettors have already hammered this line, causing it to drop by a few points. All signs are pointing to a defensive chess match at the Sugar Bowl.

• Sugar Bowl Early Pick: Under 44 Points

Texas Poised to Roll Past Arizona State in Peach Bowl

Texas should handle business against Arizona State in this quarterfinal matchup. The Sun Devils’ biggest problem is obvious – their O-line has been a major weakness all season. When they faced Texas Tech early in the season, they barely managed 94 rushing yards and averaged a rough 3.1 yards per carry.

Steve Sarkisian’s defensive front should have a field day with this matchup. The Longhorns just ran wild against Clemson, piling up nearly 300 yards on the ground. They’ve got more than enough offensive firepower to cover this 13.5-point spread.

Quinn Ewers has been dealing lately, and with dynamic backs Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner running behind that elite Texas O-line, points shouldn’t be hard to come by. ASU’s defense has struggled when facing top competition, and Texas brings plenty of weapons to the table.

Sure, the Sun Devils have gotten better as the season’s gone on, but that offensive line issue isn’t going away against a Texas front that loves to get after the QB. Freshman Sam Leavitt has put up solid numbers, but he hasn’t seen a defense like what the Longhorns will throw at him – they’ve been disrupting passing games all year.

The two-touchdown spread makes sense when you look at how these teams match up. Texas has been favored in every game this season for good reason, and they’re rolling with serious momentum after dominating Clemson in the trenches.

ASU’s got some real talent in the secondary with Myles Rowser and Xavion Alford making plays all season, but Texas’s explosive passing attack is a different beast. I like Texas at 14 points or less — the Sun Devils’ defensive backs will need their best game of the year to keep this one close.

• Peach Bowl Early Pick: Texas -13.5

Follow the college football betting trends to track line movement leading up to kickoff.

As college football fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinal matchups, analysts and experts are already crunching the numbers to predict the outcomes of each game. With the top four teams in the country set to face off in high-stakes showdowns, the stakes couldn’t be higher for these powerhouse programs.

In the first matchup, the Alabama Crimson Tide will take on the Cincinnati Bearcats. Alabama, led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young, is the heavy favorite in this game. The Crimson Tide’s high-powered offense, which ranks among the best in the nation, will be a tough challenge for Cincinnati’s defense. However, the Bearcats have proven themselves as a formidable opponent, with an undefeated record and a strong defense of their own. While Alabama is expected to come out on top, Cincinnati could potentially pull off an upset if they can contain Young and make key plays on offense.

The second quarterfinal matchup features the Georgia Bulldogs facing off against the Michigan Wolverines. Georgia, the top-ranked team in the country, boasts one of the best defenses in college football and a balanced offense led by quarterback Stetson Bennett. Michigan, on the other hand, has had a resurgence this season under head coach Jim Harbaugh and will look to rely on their physical running game to control the clock and keep Georgia’s defense on their toes. This game is expected to be a close one, with Georgia having a slight edge due to their dominant defense.

In the third matchup, the Ohio State Buckeyes will square off against the Utah Utes. Ohio State, led by star quarterback C.J. Stroud, has one of the most explosive offenses in college football and will look to outscore Utah in a high-scoring affair. The Utes, however, have a tough defense and a physical running game that could pose problems for Ohio State’s defense. This game could go either way, but Ohio State is favored to come out on top due to their offensive firepower.

The final quarterfinal matchup sees the Baylor Bears taking on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Baylor has had a strong season under head coach Dave Aranda and will look to rely on their balanced offense and opportunistic defense to pull off an upset against Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish, led by quarterback Jack Coan, have had a solid season and will look to use their experience and talent to advance to the next round. This game is expected to be a close one, with Notre Dame having a slight edge due to their overall talent and experience.

Overall, the CFP quarterfinal matchups are shaping up to be exciting and closely contested games. While some teams are favored to win based on their talent and performance throughout the season, anything can happen in college football, and upsets are always a possibility. Fans can expect high-quality football and intense competition as these top teams battle it out for a chance to advance to the next round of the College Football Playoff.