College Football Props: Team’s Chances to Play in Their Conference Championship

by Mike Allen - 8/25/2023

Odds for teams to make their conference championship game Bo Nix Oregon Ducks

Opening Saturday for the 2023 College Football season is nearly upon us. Many of you guys have already jumped on season-long futures betting odds.

Over/under betting for team wins is popular. So is predicting a particular conference winner. That can be risky when you think the season hasn't even started yet, and we are already crowning a conference winner.

For example, the Florida State Seminoles have current betting odds of (+175) to win the ACC Championship. Yes, this conference is one of the most top-heavy in football. Clemson and FSU rank 8th and 9th in both the AP and the USA Today/Coaches Poll.

Deciding a winner between these two teams when they play at the end of the year after is a lot harder than predicting an early season matchup.

We can bet on a team simply to make their conference championship game. I like this option to be more precise in our bets. That, of course, is a different style of betting.

Usually, with futures bets and props, plus money is imperative. There are always exceptions, though. Let's explore some teams with underdog odds to make their conference championship and snipe a team like the Clemson Tigers, who are (+105) to win the ACC. With an investment of (-200), though, we can play this one much safer if that's what we want to do,

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Betting Odds to Make the ACC Championship Game

Florida State: -200

Clemson: -200

North Carolina: +400

Louisville: +400

Miami: +800

Pitt: +900

NC State: +900

We have already spoken on the ACC, and mentioned Clemson and Florida State. The former is the more valuable betting play here because the Clemson Tigers are nearly even money to win the conference, while FSU is (+175).

Clemson will play host the Noles this year, along with the North Carolina Tarheels. UNC could be a threat with an NFL-ready quarterback under center in Drake Maye.

The Tigers only need to beat either the Heels or the Noles, and for just (-200), I say they defeat at least one of these foes while they claw the rest of the ACC to shreds.

Pick: Clemson to make the ACC Championship

Betting Odds to Make the Big 12 Championship Game

Texas: -230

Oklahoma: +130

Kansas State: +240

Texas Tech: +500

TCU: +600

Baylor: +650

UCF: +750

The Big 12 has the potential to be one of the most competitive major conferences in the country in 2023. I am not so sure about the Texas Longhorns, though, at (-230). That is too much to pay in a conference with five teams in the Coaches Poll Top 25.

The TCU Horned Frogs made the National Championship game last season. So. they look pretty hot and tempting at 6 to 1. Almost all their big conference games will be on the road this year.

Looking at the schedule for the Texas Tech Red Raiders, they don't have to play Oklahoma, and they play host to Texas and Kansas State. If you want a flyer, take the Red Raiders at 5 to 1.

The bet to make, though, is the Oklahoma Sooners. They don't have to play Kansas State or Texas Tech. The game against Texas is at a neutral site, and Oklahoma will be coming off of a bye week when they play that Red River Showdown.

Pick: Oklahoma to make the Big 12 Championship

Betting Odds to Make the Conference USA Championship Game

Western Kentucky: -210

Liberty: -170

Middle Tennessee: +190

Louisiana Tech: +325

UTEP: +380

New Mexico State: +1000

FIU: +2800

What is that saying about sure things? Death, taxes, and betting on the Liberty Flames to be better than they were the previous year.

I have seen this once tiny private university turn itself into the largest religious school in the world if you include all of the online programs. LU is in my hometown of Lynchburg, Virginia, situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

This team has money! Their facilities are top-notch, and they are recruiting all over the country. It's their first year playing in Conference USA, but LU beat BYU and Arkansas last season, while falling one point short against ACC teams Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

That is a weak conference, and I'll pay a little juice for the Flames.

Pick: Liberty to make the Conference USA Championship

Betting Odds to Make the Pac-12 Championship Game

USC: -160

Washington: +125

Oregon: +130

Utah: +275

UCLA: +400

Oregon State: +600

Washington State: +1600

Colorado: +4000

Outside of the kickoff game against the Georgia Bulldogs, the Oregon Ducks were just seven points shy of going undefeated in the regular season. They fell short to the Washington Huskies and their other rival, the Oregon State Beavers.

I dig their quarterback, Bo Nix, to do big things this season. The plus money is trying to reel me in, but that's exactly what the sportsbooks want.

The USC Trojans are the best team in the conference and are blessed with the easiest schedule. Caleb Williams has more weapons than Nix. Pay the juice.

Pick: USC to make the Pac-12 Championship

In Conclusion

Get those bets in immediately. Hopefully, they will last you for the majority of the 2023 college football regular season.

Forgive the chalky bets, guys. I'm sure most of the futures you already have locked in are plus money. You have earned the right to snipe at some favorites to play in their conference championship games.

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