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College Football Playoff Teams from Each Conference: Odds and Best Bets

by Mike Allen - 8/26/2024

College Football Playoff teams from each conference Cameron Rising Utah Utes

The 2024 College Football Playoff is the dawn of the golden age. I'm more anxious about this than Black Friday, Christmas, and the Super Bowl combined! The best conferences in college football got even better, and I'm cool with that. Maybe we could change the names at one point to match the number of teams. However, either way, college football fans are in store for something they've never experienced in a 12-team playoff.

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ACC Playoff Teams

Over 1.5: -120

Under 1.5: -110

As much as I would love for my Virginia Tech Hokies to make the CFB playoff, I don't think it will happen at (+800). Florida State lost to Georgia Tech in Week Zero this past Saturday. Their betting odds to make the playoff plummeted and now sit at (+350).

We backed Clemson at (+220). The line moved slightly before the FSU loss and is now at (+175). I think they are a steal at this price. They have a date at high noon this Saturday in Georgia to play the Dawgs, but they could still hold their ranking with a good showing in a loss.

Outside of the Tigers, who else do we have? I am hearing so many people picking the Miami Hurricanes to make the College Football Playoff. However, this team has gone 3-5 in a weak ACC, in each of the past two years.

They open up in the Swamp on Saturday against a team that has no choice but to hit the ground running with one of the toughest schedules of the year. Trips to Louisville and Georgia Tech loom, as well as a showdown with state rival FSU in South Beach. Outside of the Clemson Tigers, I don't see a team like Miami standing up against programs like LSU or Tennessee in the selection process at the end of the season.

Pick: Under 1.5 Teams

SEC Playoff Teams

Over 4.5: -155

Under 4.5: +125

With the conference expansions, there are more SEC teams ranked in the preseason AP Poll than ever before. A total of 9 SEC teams are not only ranked but all inside the top 20, with four teams in the top six.

The betting odds have received a recent push up to (-155) for the over. I have Texas, Georgia, Ole Miss, and Alabama in there. We only need one more team. Pick your poison. Mine is Tennessee, but it doesn't matter. We could see six or even seven. The weight of their conference games compared to the Big 12 or ACC is incomparable.

The 16th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners will play the 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th, 13th, and 15th-ranked teams over an 8-game span to wrap up the regular season. Conversely, the Kansas Jayhawks are getting a lot of buzz to potentially win the Big 12. They have one regular season game against a team currently ranked in the top 25, Kansas State, who sits at 18th right.

Pick: Over 4.5 Teams

Big 12 Playoff Teams

Over 1.5: -140

Under 1.5: +100

Maybe I gave this one away already, but it's still possible for the Big 12 to get two teams in if the SEC has five playoff teams. I like Utah to win the conference. Led by 25-year-old Cam Rising, the Utes have a soft schedule and are well-coached on top of it.

Oklahoma State is good. They have the best running back in the country. The Cowboys have a soft schedule. We have other teams like Arizona and Kansas State. Everyone seems to have a different pick to win the conference. There is more preseason parity in the Big 12 than anywhere else. We have a lot of good teams, most of which will beat up on each other. Therefore, at the end of the season, most will likely be ranked where they are now or lower.

Pick: Under 1.5 Teams

Big Ten Playoff Teams

Over 3.5: -190

Under 3.5: +155

Wow, this is an example of the sportsbooks attempting to steer you toward betting that under 3.5 Big Ten teams will make the CFB Playoff. That is clear, and it makes this final betting play the hardest, in my opinion.

Week 1 is this Saturday. I can't bring myself to lay nearly 2-1 money on the over. I do believe it's likely. However, the betting odds should be around (-150) with a 60% implied probability. We are a little late to this party, but by doing so, the under has had time to put on a sexier outfit (+155). Ohio State and Oregon look like locks to land in the playoff. They are (-600) and (-350), respectively.

I've been picking Penn State at (-140) already. They are (-160) right now. So, I can't come off of them. That means that Michigan will have to take a break as well as either of the Iowa's. They both have easy schedules. If a (+650) or (+750) beats us, it is what it is. We have to cap Michigan. Two things I look for with CFB preseason futures bets are returning quarterbacks and returning head coaches. The Wolverines have neither.

Just a sprinkle here, guys.

Pick: Under 3.5 Teams

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