College football fans, it does not get any better than this. This upcoming season is going to be the inaugural year of the 12-team team College Football Playoff. Before we get into some structure and things to look for, I want to let you guys know that this will be a weekly post. We will highlight the current playoff picture, team outlooks, and teams on the outside looking in. Here is the Week 1 College Football Playoff Picture.
CHECK OUT THE SPORTS GAMBLING PODCAST’S DAILY BEST BETS
| Ranking | Sportsbook and Casino App | Rating | Welcome Offer | Promo Code | Terms & Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SGPN's Top Book | Caesars | 4.9 | Bet $1 and Double Your Winnings for the Next 10 Bets! | No Code Needed | Must be 21 or older and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt.Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY,KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Harrah’s New Orleans),ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine),NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia):If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visitmdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXTSTEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800- BETSOFF.©2024, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER MA:CALL 1-800-327-5050 or visitgamblinghelplinema.org NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) |
| 2 | Bet365 | 4.9 | Wager $5, Score $150 in Bonus Bets! | No Code Needed | Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. |
| 3 | BetMGM | 4.8 | Get up to $1500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets | No Code Needed | Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. |
| 4 | FanDuel | 4.5 | Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins + 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass Expires on 2024-12-18T06:59:00.000Z | No Code Needed | Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states. Void where prohibited. New Customer only. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Expires on 7/28/2024 at 11:59 PM EST. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, D.C., IA, KS (in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino), KY, LA, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT, WY), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), www.1800gambler.net (WV). |
| 5 | DraftKings | 4.4 | Win Big! Bet $5, Win $150 if Your Bet Hits! Expires on 2025-01-06T06:59:00.000Z | No Code Needed | GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS).1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: dkng.co/bball. Ends 1/5/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DraftKings. |
Week 1 College Football Playoff Picture
The Format
The winners of the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC will comprise the first four seeds of the initial 12-team CFB Playoff. From there, the other eight seeds will be decided by The CFB Playoff Committee and play in the first round of the playoff. This will be held on Friday, December 20th, and Saturday, December 21st. The 5-12 seed games will all be played at the lower seed home field.
The CFB Quarterfinals are when the “Bowls” will start. We will see games such as the Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and so on. These sites and names will vary by year. The Quarterfinals will be held on the weekend of December 31st and January 1st. The semi-final games will be the following week; no reseeding will take place. The highest seed will have priority when it comes to the semi-final site.
Finally, the National Championship will be held on January 20th in Atlanta.
Initial Thoughts
At first glance, I love it! More football is never a bad thing, and we finally get to ditch the narrative of that fifth team not getting it. If you are a top-eight team, you will be in. Sure, there will be arguments about that 11-14 spot in the CFB Playoff rankings, but I do not see a team that low in the rankings competing for a National Title. This format will do a great job of rewarding the best team of the season and will not ruin a team’s chances after losing one game.
The Favorites
Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, and Texas are the four favorites to win the National Championship, and they have implied odds ranging from -700 to -200 to make the Playoff. Personally, I think all of these teams are going to make it. Regarding actually wagering on one, Texas at -200 may be a bet for me!
Georgia
After losing in The SEC Championship last season, Georgia is the lone favorite to win the National Championship this year. They return QB Carson Beck to lead the offense once again. More than anything, the Bulldogs will have the top defense in the entire nation (like normal).
Some nice pocket movement from Carson Beck pic.twitter.com/xypnldTMpI
— Mace The Flip Flopper 😎 (@realmaceblack) August 26, 2024
Georgia has a few games on their schedule that may trip them up, but even if they lose two, they should be in the playoff. Georgia heads to Tuscaloosa, Austin, and Oxford. That is not quite as hard as the Florida Gators schedule, but it is still a really tough ask.
Ohio State
Ohio State will have a new look offense this year. Their top target, Marvin Harrison Jr., heads to the NFL, and QB Kyle McCord heads to the ACC. In comes Will Howard from Kansas State to be the new signal caller in this offense. I will not be shocked if this offense does not miss a beat with the addition of running back Quinshon Judkins from Ole Miss and true freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
The duo of Smith and Egbuka on the outside may just be the best WR duo in the nation. Not to mention, the best defensive player in the nation, Caleb Down, left Alabama to join the Buckeyes this season. The bar has moved from “Beat Michigan” or bust to “National Championship” or bust.
BREAKING: College Football Preseason AP Poll🚨https://t.co/5yDVnas0oS pic.twitter.com/LtqD38pOPe
— On3 (@On3sports) August 12, 2024
A one- or two-loss Notre Dame team is virtually a lock for a playoff spot. They cannot get a top-four seed since those are automatically given to the top-four seeds. Sadly for Notre Dame, they do not play in a conference, so they cannot grab one of these seeds. Either way, QB Riley Leonard is at the helm to lead the Fighting Irish to another college football playoff.
The Outsiders
Clemson
Clemson is currently on the outside, looking in. Although there are no College Football Playoff Rankings, they sit at 14th in the AP Poll. As you know, that would not cut it come January. Clemson returns a ton of starters on both sides of the ball. They will be led by their defense, which will be a top-five unit in the country. I never question the defense of the Tigers, as the real question is on the other side of the ball.
Cade Klubnik is back as QB for the Tigers. Years ago, he was touted as one of the best prospects in the entire nation. Thus far, he has not been the man he was touted to be. I am not ready to forget about him or the Tigers just yet. It was not too long ago that they were a top-four team annually, and they have the infrastructure to be that team again.
If Klubnik came out and posted a Heisman ESK season, no one would be shocked. They have some questions about the skill positions, but I will not question the talent of the high-level recruits heading to Clemson.
Memphis
Memphis may be the lone Group of Five team to make the Big Dance this year. QB Seth Henigan returns to lead this fiery offense for another season. They have a path to win every conference game and have a massive opportunity against a vulnerable Florida State team on October 14th.
A one-loss American Athletic Champion will be in this 12-team playoff, which may be Memphis. They have the offense to run with some of the top teams in the nation and will be fun to watch all season long.
