College Football Playoffs Betting Preview & Picks

Predicting The CFB Playoffs

The College Football Playoffs will expand to 12 teams this upcoming season.

Previously, only four teams made the College Football Playoff. There were two semifinal games and then a championship matchup.

However, if a team wants to win the Championship this year, it will have to play 12 regular-season games, (likely) a conference championship game, and then four other games in the CFB Playoffs Odds.

Teams will play 17 college football games this year, which is just as many as an NFL regular season, for example.

To make it into the College Football Playoffs, the five highest-ranked conference champions and the following seven highest-ranked teams will make the field of 12. There’s no limit to how many teams from a conference can make the tournament. However, the field must have at least one team from the Mountain West, American Athletic Conference, Sub Belt, Mid-American Conference, or Conference USA. The highest-ranked team from that conference will earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Now that we got that out of the way let’s glance at the CFB Playoff Odds below.

 CFB Playoffs Picks

• Pick: LSU +125
• Pick: Kansas +700
• Pick: Fresno State +2000

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CFB Playoffs Odds

College Football Playoffs Betting Analysis

To pick teams for the college football playoff, the committee looks at conference championships won, the strength of schedule, head-to-head results, comparison of results against common opponents, and injuries that a team has dealt with previously and currently.

If some recall, Florida State was undefeated in the ACC last season and still didn’t make the College Football Playoff because quarterback Jordan Travis was injured for the remainder of the season.

Adding 12 teams will help keep some of the bickering away. Florida State ultimately deserved to make the College Football Playoff last season. However, many fans and analysts knew the game would be incredibly lopsided if Florida State made it into the CFP last season. It was unfortunate.

However, this 12-team format will allow undefeated teams to play in the 12-team bracket in the future. They won’t lose that chance to play.

College Football Playoffs Previous Winners and Betting Trends

Georgia has won the College Football Playoff over the last two seasons. However, Alabama has won the National Championship six times since 2009.

The selected organization switched from BCS to the CFP in 2014. We’re still in the CFP era, but there will be 12 teams instead of four. With this new format, there could be more parity with college football over the next few seasons.

Therefore, comparing and contrasting trends based on the new format is hard.

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College Football Playoffs Betting Picks

Ultimately, each major conference will have a champion that reaches the top four of the bracket. After that, as long as one mid-major school is in the field, the rest of the seeds are up for grabs.

Below, we’ve added three exciting options that you can consider to make the College Football Playoffs.

LSU +125

LSU won the National Championship in 2019 over Clemson under Ed Orgeron. It was the third consecutive time the LSU head coach had won a National Championship.

After Orgeron was fired, Brian Kelly took over as head coach. He’s yet to win a National Championship and hasn’t won one with LSU, but that could change.

LSU is trending in the right direction. They’ll likely be in the USA Today NCAAF odds top 25 when the season begins.

The entire offense includes returning starters.

Garrett Nussmeier played quarterback behind Jayden Daniels, but he’s a redshirt junior who knows how to lead. He also understands the program and knows the players. He’ll be joined by other notable names like Josh Williams and Kaleb Jackson at running back.

Kyren Lacey, Chris Hilton Jr., and Aaron Anderson also return as wide receivers. Even the entire offensive line is returning.

Meanwhile, the defense needs to be better than last season. But it’s not like LSU doesn’t have talent at these positions. The schemes need to be better under their new defensive coordinator. With Alabama becoming a significant mystery, LSU could have a big season in the SEC. That’s why you’ll want to consider the +125 CFB Playoff odds for the Tigers.

Kansas +700

Kansas has one of the easiest strength of schedules in college football this season. That won’t help the Jayhawks’ metrics, but it’ll undoubtedly help their record.

Kansas has a lot of returners on both ends of the ball. Jalon Daniels is healthy, and Devin Neal is slated for his senior year as a running back. Meanwhile, Daniels will throw to five wide receivers that can drink if they want to. It’s a veteran-led team that plays an easy schedule.

Kansas, at +700, is one of our NCAAF expert picks to make the College Football Playoff.

Fresno State +2000

Like the other teams mentioned, Fresno State has limited turnovers.

The entire starting lineup comprises guys from last year on the team, including Mikey Keene, the team’s quarterback.

Yes, head coach Jeff Tedford stepped down, but with so many veterans, it won’t be a problem. They’ll get someone younger who will connect with the players even better.

Fresno State is in the Mountain West Conference. At least one team from these smaller conferences has to make the bracket. Why can’t it be Fresno State? The squad went 9-4 last year and ranked in the AP 25 at one point. We love these CFB Playoff odds for the Bulldogs.