Prime Betting Stakes with CFP Slots, Bowl Bids at Stake
The conference crowns will be on the line in the upcoming week as college football betting offers interesting odds on the big games. The four College Football Playoff spots will be determined by the results of some of these games and the picture isn’t clear heading into them.
Georgia would be in if it beats Alabama for the SEC title. Figure the winner of Oregon-Washington gets a bid and Michigan needs to top Iowa to complete its undefeated season. That would be three and the fourth spot is up for grabs.
If it were only so simple. It isn’t.
Conference USA, Dec. 1, 7 p.m. ET
New Mexico State (10-3, 7-1) vs Liberty (12-0, 8-0)
- Odds: Liberty -10½
- Moneyline: Liberty -400, New Mexico State +320
- Total: 54
- Scoop: New Mexico State is one of the most remarkable stories of the season, winning 10 games under Jerry Kill. Liberty brings a perfect mark into a game that figures to see a lot of yardage and points.
Pac-12, Dec. 1, 8 p.m. ET
Oregon (11-1, 8-1) vs Washington (12-0, 9-0)
- Odds: Oregon -9½
- Moneyline: Oregon -355, Washington +280
- Total: 65½
- Scoop: Oregon is looking for revenge after a close loss to the Huskies in the regular season. Washington specializes in playing close games and somehow has won them all, coming in at 12-0. The Huskies will have their hands full with Bo Nix and the Ducks. Don’t be shocked by the huge line. Oregon has gotten that much better.
Michael Penix Jr., Kalen DeBoer and the rest of this beloved Washington Huskies team have a chance to win the PAC 12 championship on Friday vs Oregon
This would the Dawgs 18th PAC-12 title. Best for 2nd all time.
Let’s take a look at past UW championship teams
(THREAD) pic.twitter.com/QsTJG4SoNO
— George Jarjour (@GeorgeOnTap) November 27, 2023
MAC, Dec. 2, noon ET
Miami (Ohio) (10-2, 7-1) vs Toledo (11-1, 8-0)
- Odds: Toledo -8
- Moneyline: Toledo -310, Miami (Ohio) +250
- Total: 46
- Scoop: The teams met in the regular season and Toledo came away with a 21-17 victory. Quarterback DeQuann Finn threw for two scores and ran for another. A revenge game, as they say?
Big 12, Dec. 2, noon ET
Oklahoma State (9-3, 7-2) vs Texas (11-1, 8-1)
- Odds: Texas -14 ½
- Moneyline: Oklahoma State +450, Texas -600
- Total: 55
- Scoop: Texas needs to win and hope for a lot of help in the CFP picture. This could get murky if the Longhorns triumph and Alabama upsets Georgia. Remember, Texas defeated Alabama in the regular season. It is almost miraculous Oklahoma State made this game after the way it played recently. The Cowboys were down 18 to BYU before winning in overtime. Hook ‘em.
Mountain West, Dec. 2, 3 p.m. ET
Boise State (7-5, 6-2) vs. UNLV (9-3, 6-2)
- Odds: Boise State -2
- Moneyline: Boise State -125, UNLV +105
- Total: 59
- Scoop: This matchup came down to computers, we kid you not. UNLV, Boise State and San Jose State all finished 6-2 in conference play. Rather than musical chairs, the conference used computer rankings and UNLV was the clear winner. However, Boise State’s number (55.75) was less than a tick better than San Jose State (58.5). And those are the games people play – or don’t – now.
SEC, Dec. 2, 4 p.m. ET
Alabama (11-1, 8-0) vs. Georgia (12-0, 8-0)
- Odds: Georgia -5
- Moneyline: Georgia -225, Alabama +185
- Total: 55 ½
- Scoop: This could be considered a CFP elimination game except … Alabama lost to Texas in the regular season. Neither school was sharp in its regular-season finale. The Crimson Tide only remain in the CFP picture because of the fourth-and-forever miracle vs. Auburn.
The Milroe Miracle: Alabama QB Jalen Milroe saves the Crimson Tide’s national title hopes with an unbelievable TD pass on 4th & 31 in the Iron Bowl. pic.twitter.com/TZx3iLWraa
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) November 26, 2023
AAC, Dec. 2, 4 p.m. ET
SMU (10-2., 8-0) vs Tulane (11-1, 8-0)
- Odds: Tulane -4
- Moneyline: SMU +155, Tulane -180
- Total: 50½
- Scoop: The teams did not play in the regular season so this is about as legit a championship matchup as one gets. SMU is an offensive powerhouse with 502 points. The Mustangs can play some defense, too, as they allowed 212 points. Tulane, winner of last season’s Cotton Bowl over USC, checks in at 335 PF, 220 PA. One huge factor to check when thinking about placing NCAAF bets is the status of SMU QB Preston Stone, who left Saturday’s win over Navy with an injury.
Sun Belt, Dec. 2, 4 p.m.
Appalachian State (8-4, 6-2) vs Troy (10-2, 7-1)
- Odds: Troy – 6½
- Moneyline: Troy -260, Appalachian State +210
- Total: 51 ½
- Scoop: The team that won the conference but isn’t eligible to play in the championship game yet – James Madison lost its lone game to Appalachian State by three points. The Dukes downed the Trojans by two points so make of that what you want. The Mountaineers come in with five straight wins and Troy has won nine in a row. This sets up as a tight contest.
ACC, Dec. 2, 8 p.m. ET
Louisville (10-2, 7-1) vs Florida State (12-0, 8-0)
- Odds: Florida State -2½
- Moneyline: Florida State -135, Louisville +115
- Total: 49
- Scoop: This could be low-scoring, which is something we wouldn’t have said a couple of weeks ago. FSU needs the win to reach 13-0 and keep its CFP dreams alive. Would be hard to see it left out if it wins here even without QB Jordan Travis (ankle). If the Seminoles finish 13-0 and don’t get a CFP bid, expect a lot of screaming from Tallahassee.
Big Ten, Dec. 2, 8 p.m. ET
Iowa (10-2, 7-2) vs Michigan (12-0, 9-0), 8 p.m.
- Odds: Michigan -23½
- Moneyline: Michigan -110, Iowa -110
- Total: 35½
- Scoop: Another in a remarkable series of NCAAF betting lines with the Hawkeyes. Most of their recent games have seen totals in the 20s. Here, we have a game with a line in the 20s and the total in the mid-30s. One gets the feeling sportsbooks wouldn’t be shocked to see the Wolverines pitch a shutout.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
