The Michigan Wolverines won their first national championship since 1997 Monday night, dominating the Washington Huskies 34-13 to complete a 15-0 season.
While the Wolverines are expected to be among the top contenders for the 2024-25 national championship, they aren’t the early odds favorite on sports betting apps. With roster turnover — the Wolverines should send plenty of players to the NFL — Michigan’s team will look quite different.
The man leading the team on the sideline could be different also, with coach Jim Harbaugh reportedly a candidate for multiple NFL coaching openings. Michigan’s potential changes could create an even bigger opening for several of the NCAA’s other top powers to make a national title run.
Next year’s College Football Playoff also gives hope to teams outside the traditional powerhouse programs, as the tournament field grows from four teams to 12.
Usual suspects favored 126949
The 2024-25 national title favorites come as no surprise, given the recent history of the sport. Georgia (+450), Alabama (+600), and Ohio State (+900) are among the betting sites.
Georgia’s odds to win the title (+350) are even shorter on ESPN BET lists Georgia at +425 and Alabama at +600.
Georgia and Alabama each are expected to return their starting quarterbacks, an increasingly challenging task in the transfer portal era. Carson Beck improved throughout the 2023 season for the Bulldogs, finishing with 24 ing touchdowns and just six interceptions. He completed 72% of his es.
Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, a dynamic rushing threat, returns for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide. Milroe posted similar ing touchdown (23) and interception (6) totals to Beck, but he also added 500-plus rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. He’ll enter 2024 as a Heisman hopeful.
While Ohio State won’t return its starting quarterback, with Kyle McCord transferring to Syracuse, the Buckeyes added Kansas State transfer Will Howard. Like Milroe, he is a running threat at quarterback.
Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State are also all expected to field elite defenses in 2024.
Other contenders 2dmp
Texas (+900), Michigan (+1000), Oregon (+1100), and LSU (+1400) follow the top three on DraftKings’ odds board. Ole Miss is listed at +1600 and figures to be a trendy selection for bettors.
The Rebels return starting quarterback Jaxson Dart, and they’ve been one of most active teams in the transfer portal in recent weeks. Mississippi has made substantial improvements to its defensive line, adding Texas A&M’s Walter Nolan, Florida’s Princely Umanmielen, and Tennessee’s Tyler Baron. Offensively, South Carolina wide receiver transfer Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. should make an immediate impact for the Rebels.
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart in the Peach Bowl:
🔷 25/40
🔷 379 YDS
🔷 4 Total TDs
🔷 0 INTs pic.twitter.com/l17rplAMwa— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 30, 2023
The ACC’s Florida State (+1800) and Clemson (+2000) are other possible championship contenders.
Washington, which will replace starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with Mississippi State transfer Will Rogers, has +5000 odds to win the title. The Huskies will accompany USC, UCLA, and Oregon as Pac-12 ing the Big Ten in 2024.
Group of Five longshots g3j6e
With the expansion of the playoff to 12 teams comes guaranteed access into the playoff field for one Group of Five team.
Boise State (+30000), UTSA (+40000), Tulane (+50000), James Madison (+50000), and Troy (+60000) have the shortest odds on DraftKings of any Group of Five teams to win the national championship. All are considered longshots, as making the playoff field is a more realistic goal.
Interestingly, each of those programs except UTSA will chase College Football Playoff berths with a new head coach in 2024. Each team’s roster, like many others across the country, will look significantly different in 2024 due to graduations and the transfer portal.
Liberty, which played in a New Year’s Six Bowl in 2023, returns its head coach and starting quarterback in 2024. The Flames are +80000 to win the national championship.
Most sports betting apps haven’t posted odds yet on teams’ chances of reaching the playoff.
