College Football Playoff Field Betting Preview and Picks

12-Team Field Opens Betting Possibilities

Playoffs Analysis

The college football playoff expansion has certainly changed the way the playoff field is bet. In previous years, betting NCAAF odds would be posted on a few select teams. With 12 teams in the field, odds are now available on more than 70 teams. Granted, some of them can easily be eliminated, but several longer shots have a chance to sneak in there. There should be some CFB 12-team playoff betting promotions for fans to take advantage of leading up to the season.

It doesn’t take a diehard college football fan to know that Ohio State and Georgia are almost certain to make a 12-team playoff field. That’s why they’re -700 and -550 respectively. It’s the teams that are in the +400 to +800 range where it gets intriguing.

Will a team like USC or Arizona be able to sneak in there for a good payout?

Rather than talk about the perennial powerhouses, many of which will advance to the playoffs, we’ll focus on one of the big longshots that can surprise this season.

That team is the Iowa Hawkeyes at +650. Everybody knows the Hawkeyes can play defense. With eight starters back from last year’s team, the college football defensive rankings will again have Iowa as one of the best in the nation. New offensive coordinator Tim Lester has already changed things up. Quarterback Cade McNamara led Michigan to the playoffs in 2021 and looks to get the Hawkeyes there in 2024. Iowa is one of the best NCAAF bets today.

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Odds to Make College Football Playoffs

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College Football Playoff Field Betting Analysis

Betting the college football playoff field this season takes a bit of discipline. It would be easy to run out and bet Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, Oregon and Notre Dame. You would be laying steep odds on all five teams, but at least four of them should make the field of 12. The NCAAF betting percentages will see those teams heavily bet to make the playoffs.

If you’re using free bets through one of the CFB 12-team playoff betting promotions that will be available, finding good betting value is the way to tackle this bet. That’s why Iowa is interesting at +650. The offense was woefully bad the past two seasons, so offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz was let go and Lester was brought in. He doesn’t have to turn Iowa into an offensive powerhouse. With the team’s defense being so good, an average Iowa offense makes the Hawkeyes playoff contenders. The return of McNamara after missing much of last year with an NCAAF injury and new play calling will make a big difference.

The sportsbooks are hoping to see the popularity of this wager increase. It has the potential to be a big money-making proposition for them. So keep an eye out for the CFB 12-team playoff betting promotions that will be available for the season.

College Football Playoff Previous Winners and Betting Trends

• In 2023, two of the four favorites to make the college football playoffs made the field. The other two favorites, Ohio State and Georgia, did not make the playoffs.
• In 2022, Alabama and Clemson failed to make the playoff field and were two of the four preseason favorites.
• The 2021 season saw two huge preseason underdogs, Cincinnati (+2200) and Michigan (+2700) make the playoffs. The big preseason favorite, Clemson (-650), failed to make the playoff field.

College Football Playoff Field Betting Picks

Take Iowa +650 to make the college football playoffs. The Hawkeyes are going to be better offensively and the defense will be tough to score against. Iowa is worth a bet at pretty good odds here.

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