Nov 5, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) celebrates a touchdown with the offensive line in a game against the Arizona Wildcats during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
- Which teams will make/miss the CFP in 2024?
- We’ve identified our favorite college football playoff bets
- See expert make/miss college football playoff bets in the story below
The College Football Playoff bracket is expanding to 12 teams in 2024-25, and top sportsbooks such as DraftKings and FanDuel are offering odds on which teams will qualify. You can bet on a wide selection of teams to make or miss the CFP in 2024.
Powerhouses such as Ohio State and Georgia are heavy -650 favorites to qualify for the playoff. However, with an additional eight spots open compared to previous seasons, there is solid betting value on several fringe contenders heading into the season.
Here are our favorite make/miss college football playoff bets for the upcoming season.
Utah College Football Playoff Odds
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Make CFP | +265 |
| Miss CFP | -350 |
Odds as of July 23, at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Utes Undervalued in CPF Odds
One team we are particularly high on this upcoming college football season is the Utah Utes. After years of success in the Pac-12, including back-to-back conference titles in 2021 and 2022, Utah enters the Big 12 as betting favorites to win the conference.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham has built a powerhouse program in Salt Lake City, as the Utes have won 10+ games in four of the last five full seasons under his leadership. Utah will return 72% of its overall production from 2023 (75% on offense, 70% on defense).
FBS off season program of the day
UTAH UTES
– Cam Rising is back and a Utah offense that has power
– Kyle Whittingham enters year number 20 as HC at Utah
– The defense has LOTS of big returners
– Manageable BIG12 scheduleI think Utah has the pieces to win the BIG12 pic.twitter.com/OCUvUFh04p
— College Football Daily (@CFBalldaily) June 30, 2024
Cam Rising is back for his sixth and final season as starting quarterback, while the team has added high-impact receivers in Dorian Singer (USC/Arizona) and Taeshaun Lyons (Washington). On defense, Utah returns eight starters, including linebacker Karene Reid.
Schedule is super important when making CFP playoff predictions, and the Utes luck out with a favorable Big 12 slate that avoids Kansas State, Kansas, and West Virginia. This program is too consistent and well-coached to be listed at +265 in an expanded 12-team playoff format.
- Pick: Utah to Make CFP (+265 at FanDuel)
Michigan College Football Playoff Odds
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Make CFP | -120 |
| Miss CFP | +100 |
Odds as of July 23, at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Wolverines Due for Regression
One team we are looking to fade in the CFP odds is the reigning champs. Michigan fans may want to temper their expectations for the 2024 season, as the Wolverines face an uphill battle to return to the College Football Playoff.
The departure of head coach Jim Harbaugh to the pro ranks leaves the biggest void. Harbaugh resurrected the program, leading Michigan to two straight playoff appearances. Now, Sherrone Moore takes the reins with big shoes to fill and a roster in flux.
“Coach Harbaugh… I love the sh*t out of you man. I did this for you!”
Sherrone Moore breaks into tears while speaking with @JennyTaft after the @UMichFootball‘s win vs Penn State pic.twitter.com/JJYPKyA2sM
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 11, 2023
Michigan returns just seven starters from the powerhouse team that won it all last season. Gone are top running back Blake Corum, along with experienced quarterback JJ McCarthy. This means a brand-new starter is facing this loaded slate of opponents.
The revamped Big Ten conference only adds to the difficulty. Ohio State is reloading as usual, while Penn State looks primed for a bounce-back year. USC and Oregon enter the mix as playoff contenders themselves. Navigating this league unscathed seems like a tall task for Moore in year one.
According to numerous college football strength of schedule ratings, Michigan will play the fifth-toughest schedule in 2024, including games against Texas, Washington, and Oregon. With all this roster uncertainty, we like the value on Michigan missing out on the CFP in 2024.
- Pick: Michigan to Miss CFP (-145 at DraftKings)
Ole Miss College Football Playoff Odds
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Make CFP | -122 |
| Miss CFP | +100 |
Rebels Are Smart Bet in Loaded SEC
We’re heading to the juggernaut of the SEC for our final CFP bet for the upcoming 2024 season. While the conference is getting tougher with the additions of Texas and Oklahoma, there’s the potential for the SEC to get four teams into the CFP.
Following an impressive 11-2 season that culminated with a bowl win over Penn State, Lane Kiffin’s squad has a golden opportunity to punch their first-ever ticket to the College Football Playoff this season.
The Rebels’ CFP chances start with their explosive offense led by senior QB Jaxson Dart. The former USC transfer is a dark horse Heisman candidate after throwing for 3,000 yards and 25 TDs last season. He has a plethora of weapons at his disposal, including WR Tre Harris and TE Caden Prieskorn.
Score From Far ✅@JaxsonDart ➡️ @jordantwatkins pic.twitter.com/jCZQmrSgxn
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 30, 2023
The Rebels also beefed up their defense through the transfer portal, landing former 5-star DL Walter Nolen from Texas A&M and edge rusher Princely Umanmie. This unit already made strides in Pete Golding’s first year as defensive coordinator, allowing 21 points per game in 2023.
Kiffin has built a consistent winner in Oxford, with three straight seasons of 10+ wins. Now it’s time for the Rebels to get over the hump and crash the CFP party.
With an offense that can light up the scoreboard and an improved defense, Ole Miss at -122 to make the playoff is one of the best futures bets on the board for the 2024 college football season.
- Pick: Ole Miss to Make CFP (-122 at FanDuel)
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.
As college football fans eagerly anticipate the start of the 2024 season, speculation is already swirling about which teams will emerge as the top contenders for the College Football Playoff. With the landscape of college football constantly evolving, it can be difficult to predict which teams will ultimately make a run at the national championship. However, based on recent trends and the strength of certain programs, there are a few teams that are already being touted as potential playoff contenders in 2024.
One team that is consistently mentioned as a top contender for the College Football Playoff is the Alabama Crimson Tide. Under the leadership of head coach Nick Saban, Alabama has been a dominant force in college football for years. With a history of success and a roster filled with top-tier talent, it’s no surprise that the Crimson Tide are once again considered a favorite to make a run at the national championship in 2024.
Another team to keep an eye on is the Clemson Tigers. Led by head coach Dabo Swinney, Clemson has established itself as one of the premier programs in college football. With a potent offense and a stout defense, the Tigers have the talent and depth to compete with any team in the country. While they may have some tough competition in their conference, Clemson is certainly a team to watch as they look to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are also expected to be in the mix for a playoff spot in 2024. With a strong recruiting class and a coaching staff known for developing talent, Ohio State has the potential to make a deep run in the postseason. While they will face stiff competition in their conference, the Buckeyes have the talent and experience to compete with the best teams in the country.
Finally, the Georgia Bulldogs are another team that is garnering attention as a potential playoff contender in 2024. With a talented roster and a coaching staff that has proven their ability to win big games, Georgia has all the pieces in place to make a run at the national championship. While they may have some tough matchups throughout the season, the Bulldogs have the talent and depth to compete with any team in the country.
Of course, predicting the top contenders for the College Football Playoff is never an exact science. Injuries, upsets, and unexpected performances can all play a role in shaping the playoff picture. However, based on recent trends and the strength of certain programs, it’s clear that teams like Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, and Georgia are all poised to make a run at the national championship in 2024. As fans gear up for another exciting season of college football, these teams will certainly be ones to watch as they look to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.
