It’s the most wonderful time of the year – college football playoff time! One hundred and thirty-six teams have been whittled down to 12 (sorry, Notre Dame), and the next month and change will decide who is the tops in the land. For my college football playoff predictions and best bets, I’ve got the best future bets to make before action kicks off on December 19th. Let’s hit the gridiron!
College Football Playoff Predictions & Best Bets
#12 James Madison Dukes vs #5 Oregon Ducks
Start Time: December 20th – 7:30 PM EST
We’ll start things off with a bet on the very first game of the playoff tournament, the Sun Belt champion James Madison Dukes getting a chance to battle the big boys, facing off against the Big Ten’s Oregon Ducks. And while I made money last week fading the Dukes in their conference championship game (Troy covered the spread), I’m in on them here.
The Dukes are a very strong team, with a top 10 offense and defense, but they aren’t quite on the Ducks’ level. However, they are closer to their level than the spread allows. My line is Oregon -11.5, so let’s take James Madison to cover.
Best Bet: James Madison +22.5 (-122)
Odd/Even Seed of CFP National Championship Winner
I don’t usually play specials, which are normally goofy and often just a coin flip, but I do like picking whether an odd or even seed will win the national championship this year. In this case, it is mostly because I’m in on the plus side of the bet.
I like an even-seeded team to be the one hoisting the championship trophy in Miami Gardens on January 19th. In fact, I have two even-seeded teams facing each other in that championship game (more on that to come).
Best Bet: Even (+115)
Top 4 Seeds to Advance to CFP Semifinals
I just said I don’t like playing specials, and here I am, immediately playing another special. However, when the number is right, you’ve got to make a play. And I like the number on this bet.
That’s because I have the first couple rounds of this year’s college football playoffs to go the way of chalk. I have Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech all making it to the semifinals in early January. Let’s put some pizza money on this one.
Best Bet: Exactly 4 Top 4 Seeds Advance to Semifinals (+450)
Texas Tech to Win National Championship
Now, for my big reveal. I have the Texas Tech Red Raiders winning this year’s college football playoffs and having the confetti raining down on them at the Hard Rock Stadium on January 19th.
The Big 12 champion Red Raiders just got done dismantling the BYU Cougars in their conference championship game, winning by 27 points. Other than one slip-up – a four-point loss to Arizona State – the Red Raiders have curb-stomped the competition, beating everyone on their schedule by at least 13 points (and, in most cases, but much more than that).
The third-best offense and third-best defense, Texas Tech is a well-rounded powerhouse. I do have them beating the Ohio State Buckeyes in the championship game, and I expect it to be close, so if you want to hedge and put some money on the Buckeyes as well, that’s cool.
Best Bet: Texas Tech NCAAF Champion (+850)
College Football Overall Record: 16-12 (57%)
Profit (based on $100/bet): $266.70
Return on Investment: 10%
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