The landscape of college football is changing with the expansion of the College Football Playoff field from four to 12 teams. Traditional powerhouses like Georgia and Ohio State now have some unexpected company in the conversation for the national championship race.
With more teams having a shot at making the playoffs, bettors are looking for value wagers on underdog schools like Missouri and Tennessee. Westgate executive vice president Jay Kornegay notes that the expanded playoffs have opened up opportunities for these teams to make a run at the title, despite traditionally dominant programs still being the favorites.
As betting odds reflect these shifts, teams like Ohio State and Georgia are heavily favored to make the playoffs. However, surprise contenders like Mississippi, Michigan, Missouri, and Tennessee are also attracting attention with their potential for upsets.
In addition to the playoff race, the Heisman Trophy race is heating up with quarterbacks being the top contenders. Georgia’s Carson Beck, Texas’ Quinn Ewers, and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel are currently the co-favorites, with Gabriel emerging as the favorite at some sportsbooks.
Week Zero kicks off this Saturday with Florida State facing Georgia Tech as the standout matchup. The excitement for football season is palpable, with early games generating significant betting action.
Even though a Group of Five team is guaranteed a playoff spot, bettors are still hesitant to put money on these schools. Liberty and Boise State are the top picks from that group, but expectations for them to win the national championship are modest.
With the college football season set to begin, the stage is set for an unpredictable and thrilling journey towards crowning a new national champion. Stay tuned for the latest updates and insights on the AP Top 25 college football poll throughout the season.
