College Football Playoff Odds Favor For Top Teams

• The online sportsbooks have just released exclusive college football odds for each top team to make the playoffs, like Alabama getting -1200 odds to be among the chosen four teams.
• Other big-name teams include Clemson (-1200), Notre Dame (-250), Florida (+225), and Ohio State (-330).

DALLAS – Following the reveal of the third week of the official College Football Playoff rankings, the biggest online sportsbooks are now offering some unique specialty futures bets on which teams will be among the final four teams.

Making the college football playoff is a tremendous accomplishment, and even more so in a tumultuous season like this year. While there are a number of deserving teams, there can only be four that advance to the playoffs.

In order to maximize betting value, it is important to understand each team’s realistic shot at making the playoffs given their current circumstances.

Diving deeper into each of these odds available on the major online sportsbooks can yield some profitable outcomes.

Alabama is currently undefeated and ranked No.1 in the nation once again. Nick Saban’s squad takes on Arkansas this weekend before heading to Atlanta to face Florida in the SEC championship game.

Taking the -1200 here is basically a bet on the Crimson Tide to beat the Razorbacks, as many predict the Tide will make the CFB Playoffs even if they lose to the Gators in the SEC championship.

Alabama is currently a 32-point favorite over the Hogs.

Clemson comes in with the second-best “Yes” odds on the board thanks to an upcoming rematch with Notre Dame. The Tigers suffered their only loss of the season to the Irish in a game where they played without quarterback Trevor Lawrence and some key members on defense.

Many predict the now-healthy Tigers to take down Notre Dame in the revenge game for the ACC Championship. Betting the -400 here is basically taking that game’s moneyline, as a Clemson win would all but ensure their invitation to a sixth straight College Football Playoff.

On the flip side, Notre Dame is currently the top dog in the ACC and might still make the playoffs even with a loss to Clemson in the championship game. The Irish have a great team under Notre Dame career win leader Ian Book and a strong defense that ranks among the best in the nation in scoring.

If the Irish beat Clemson, then they are in with no questions asked. However, if the Irish lose to Clemson, but still keep it close, then it opens up a whole mess of issues.

Notre Dame would then be a one-loss team with their only defeat to another top-four team in Clemson, whom they already beat this season. It is very possible that the committee decides they are one of the best four teams in the country even with a loss to the Tigers.

Now this is where things get interesting. Ohio State is currently 5-0 and have done everything they can to impress the committee throughout their games. A close win over Indiana is their best data point to work with, and they may have logged their final game of the season already.

Ohio State needed to play Michigan this weekend to get to six wins on the season and qualify for the Big Ten Championship game. In the true spirit of petty rivalry, Michigan has called off that game, leaving the Buckeyes ineligible for the B10 championship under current rules.

However, as of Wednesday afternoon it appears the Big Ten will be changing the rules to allow for Ohio State to make the championship after all. The Buckeyes have a good shot of making the playoffs if they can win big over Northwestern in that game.

The Aggies of Texas A&M find themselves in a tough spot after a terrific season. The Aggies only have one loss on the year and ran through their SEC schedule behind an amazing offensive line and an opportunistic defense.

Texas A&M gave Florida their only loss of the season, and have the best loss a team can have in No. 1 Alabama. However, with two ACC teams still in the mix as well as Ohio State, the Aggies need pure luck and a little bit of chaos to make the playoffs.

The best situation for the Aggies would be a win for Notre Dame over Clemson, which could see them slide in as the fourth seed.

The Gators might end the season with a new Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, but that doesn’t mean they get an invite to the playoffs. The formula for the Gators is simple: Beat Alabama and you’re in the Playoffs.

A bet for this line is better wagered on the money line for the SEC Championship Game, as there is no feasible path for the Gators to be among the final four teams without a win in Atlanta.