College Football Playoff Odds: Texas A&M and Ole Miss Surge
As the last month of the college football regular season creeps up, the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture is getting clearer. Still, there are bound to be some upsets, and everything could change in a heartbeat.
This piece takes a look at the latest odds and scenarios for the top contenders. We’ll highlight some key moves in the betting markets and what all this means for teams like Ohio State, Indiana, Alabama, Texas A&M, and a few others. For a deeper dive, check the original article.
Contents
Ohio State: The Clear Favorite
Ohio State sits at the top for the national title with +250 odds. After a bye week, they’re basically a lock for the CFP.
They’re the only team currently off the board to make the Playoff on BetMGM. That says a lot about how much faith the betting market has in them.
Indiana Surpasses Alabama
Indiana’s wild 56-6 win over UCLA shot them past Alabama in the title odds. The Hoosiers now stand at +700, up from +900—a sign they’re getting noticed.
Alabama, meanwhile, squeaked by South Carolina 29-22 and saw their odds fall from +600 to +800. Not ideal for the Crimson Tide.
Texas A&M and Ole Miss: Rising Contenders
Texas A&M blew out LSU, bumping their title odds from +1000 to +900. They’re now alone in fourth place.
Ole Miss, after beating Oklahoma, saw their CFP odds jump from -125 to -300. That’s a pretty big swing in just a week.
Texas A&M: Virtually Locked In
The Aggies are basically locked into the CFP at -3000 odds—over a 96% chance, if you trust the math. That’s a huge leap and sets them up nicely for the home stretch.
Ole Miss: A Favorable Path
Ole Miss’s win over Oklahoma really helped. With three of their last four games at home and no ranked teams left, the Rebels are in a great spot.
Honestly, they might even be able to drop one more and still sneak into the CFP.
Alabama: Still in the Mix
Even after a close call with South Carolina, Alabama’s still in the hunt with -750 odds to make the CFP. Their schedule isn’t a cakewalk, though—LSU, Oklahoma, Eastern Illinois, and Auburn are all on deck.
If they can go 3-1 in those, their Playoff spot should be safe.
Challenges Ahead
The scare against South Carolina showed Alabama’s not bulletproof. Their odds dropped from -1400 to -750, which says people are a little less sure about them now.
Still, the market seems to think they’ll pull through.
Oregon and Georgia: On the Bubble
Oregon and Georgia both sit at -300 odds to make the CFP. Oregon just beat Wisconsin 21-7, but Wisconsin is 0-5 in the Big Ten, so that’s not exactly a headline win.
Oregon’s got a tough road coming up: Iowa, Minnesota, USC, and Washington. That’s a lot to ask, honestly.
Oregon: A Tough Road Ahead
Oregon’s best win so far? Probably 5-3 Northwestern. Their schedule isn’t getting any easier, and their odds have slipped from -400 to -300.
There’s definitely room for things to go sideways here.
Georgia: A Slight Dip
Georgia had a bye and saw their odds dip a bit, from -325 to -300. The Bulldogs still have a real shot at the CFP, but they can’t afford to slip up.
Notre Dame and Miami: In the Hunt
Notre Dame and Miami are both in the mix. Notre Dame holds steady at -300 after their bye, and Miami’s 42-7 blowout of Stanford keeps them at -235.
Notre Dame: Steady As She Goes
The Irish are holding their ground. Their odds haven’t budged, which says the betting market is still pretty confident in them.
Miami: Overcoming Challenges
Miami needed that win over Stanford, but there’s some tough sledding ahead. At -235, they’ve got a good shot, but nothing’s guaranteed.
Texas Tech: Overcoming Adversity
Texas Tech crushed Oklahoma State 42-0, but lost quarterback Will Hammond to injury. With Behren Morton expected back, though, they’re still hanging in there at -210 odds for the CFP.
Quarterback Concerns
Quarterback injuries aren’t what you want this late in the season. Texas Tech’s still got a shot, but it’s not going to be easy.
Potential Dark Horses: Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt
There’s still a CFP spot up for grabs, and Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt are lurking. Georgia Tech is at +100, and Vanderbilt’s just behind at +110.
Georgia Tech: A Tricky Road
The Yellow Jackets are undefeated but have some tricky matchups coming, like NC State where they’re favored by less than a touchdown.
It’s a competitive but unpredictable path for them.
Vanderbilt: The Underdog Story
Vanderbilt’s 7-1 record and top 10 ranking make them one of the best underdog stories this year. But they’re underdogs in their next game against Texas—that’s going to be a real test.
The American Conference Race
The American Conference’s automatic CFP bid is still up for grabs. Memphis’s comeback win over South Florida keeps them in the mix, but the pecking order right now is Tulane, then South Florida, North Texas, Memphis, and undefeated Navy.
Tulane: Pole Position
Tulane leads with +250 odds to make the CFP. They’re in a good spot, but nothing’s settled yet.
North Texas and Navy go head-to-head this week, and honestly, it feels like a pretty big one. North Texas comes in at +400 odds, while Navy’s sitting at +1000—not exactly neck and neck.
This matchup could shake up the American Conference race. The automatic bid’s still up for grabs, and you never really know how these things play out.
For more details or if you’re just curious about the shifting playoff picture, there’s always more to dig into. Check out the original article for the full breakdown.
