College Football Playoff Odds Shift: Miami Falls, Alabama and Indiana Rise
The college football landscape just got flipped on its head after a wild weekend of upsets. Five previously undefeated teams took a hit, and Miami’s tumble was probably the most shocking of all. They were supposed to be title favorites, but now? Everything feels up for grabs.
Let’s dig into the latest College Football Playoff (CFP) odds and try to make sense of the chaos. Honestly, the road to the championship looks more unpredictable than ever—maybe that’s half the fun?
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Ohio State: The Unquestioned Favorite
Amid the turmoil, Ohio State’s still sitting pretty as the favorite with odds at +275 to win it all, according to BetMGM. They’re so dominant that you can’t even bet on them making the playoff anymore—their spot’s basically locked in.
With a bye week coming up and a schedule full of teams with losing records, the Buckeyes’ path looks almost too easy. Unless something truly bizarre happens, they’re cruising.
Alabama: A Strong Contender
Alabama’s right behind with odds of +600. They’ve strung together four wins in a row against ranked teams, which is no small feat.
The Crimson Tide have looked solid, and you’d be hard-pressed to argue they’re not a real threat for the title.
Miami’s Fall from Grace
Miami’s loss to Louisville really hurt them. Their odds slid from +800 to +1500—pretty rough.
The rest of their schedule isn’t too scary, with SMU being their biggest test. Still, Miami’s up-and-down play makes you wonder if they can pull it together for a playoff run.
Notre Dame’s Resurgence
Notre Dame’s climbed up to +1200 even with two losses. Beating USC gave their season a real shot in the arm.
They’ve got a favorable schedule ahead, which could set them up for a deep postseason push if they keep it together.
The Surprising Contenders
Indiana’s somehow jumped into the mix, now holding the third-best odds at +900. Not many saw that coming.
They’re ahead of heavyweights like Georgia, Oregon, and Texas A&M (all at +1000). Indiana’s been the surprise of the season, and maybe they’re not done yet.
Texas: The Enigma
Texas sits at +1600, but they’re tough to figure out. Their 5-2 record isn’t dazzling, and their recent overtime win against Kentucky left folks scratching their heads.
They’ve got a brutal stretch ahead—Vanderbilt, Georgia, Texas A&M. The market still likes them, but projections only give them a 13% shot at the CFP and less than 1% to win it all. That’s not exactly encouraging.
Volatile Playoff Odds
The odds to make the CFP are bouncing all over the place this year. Alabama and Texas A&M are nearly locks, sitting at -1400 and -550.
Oregon and Georgia, both with one loss, have decent chances too (-400 and -325). Their upcoming games aren’t easy, but they’re still in the running.
Notre Dame’s Playoff Hopes
Notre Dame’s odds are at -300 to make the playoff, which is pretty solid considering those two losses. Their win over USC really helped their case.
This season’s chaos might actually play into their hands. They’re looking like a safe bet for now, but who knows?
Miami’s Uncertain Future
Miami’s playoff odds tanked from -3000 to -300 after losing to Louisville. That loss puts their ACC title game hopes in jeopardy and casts a long shadow over their playoff chances.
The rest of their schedule isn’t too bad, but let’s be honest—their inconsistency is a big problem.
Other Contenders
Texas Tech and Ole Miss, both recently knocked from the unbeaten ranks, have odds of -165 and -125 to make the CFP. They’re the last two teams with minus-odds, so the market still likes them.
But with how weird this season’s been? Nothing feels certain.
Long Shots and Dark Horses
LSU, once a legit contender, is now a +1000 long shot after two losses. The rest of the hopefuls: Georgia Tech (+125), Texas (+150), Oklahoma (+200), Missouri (+200), Vanderbilt (+225), and Louisville (+350).
Outside the big leagues, South Florida’s the clear favorite at +110 after Memphis and UNLV both dropped their first games. That’s just how this season’s rolling—expect the unexpected.
The College Football Playoff race feels more competitive than ever. No one can really predict how it’s going to shake out.
With so many teams in the mix and odds flipping every week, fans are in for a wild ride. If you want the latest odds and some real analysis, check out the New York Times Athletic.
