As the college football season barrels towards its climax, the focus is firmly on the teams vying for the coveted College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship. And one team that has emerged as the frontrunner in the 2024-24 season is the Michigan Wolverines.
Let’s delve into the latest NCAA Football Championship odds, with the Wolverines leading the charge as the odds-on favorites at Michigan sportsbooks.
1. Michigan Wolverines (+225)
With an unblemished 10-0 record, Michigan’s journey to the top spot has been nothing short of remarkable. And now having faced and conquered their first significant test against Penn State last weekend, the Wolverines find themselves as the odds-on favourites to win a national title this season.
The spotlight intensifies as the Wolverines gear up for the crucial clash with No. 2 Ohio State on November 25. The winner of this matchup, set to take place at Michigan, is poised to claim the top spot in the Big Ten East. A potential showdown with the first-place team from the Big Ten West in the conference championship game awaits, which will in all likelihood be Iowa.
However, Michigan faces the unique challenge of navigating these critical games without head coach Jim Harbaugh, who has been suspended for the final three regular-season games due to alleged sign-stealing. Despite this hurdle, Michigan just knocked off Penn State 24-15 without Harbaugh and has yet to allow more than 15 points in any game this season.
At the time of writing, Michigan remains the team to beat heading into Week 12 of the college football season and the undisputed favourite for a national championship in January.
2. Georgia Bulldogs (+250)
The Georgia Bulldogs, coming off two consecutive national championships, continue their reign of dominance. With a 52-17 thrashing of No. 13 Ole Miss, Georgia has solidified its place at the top of the college football landscape. Carson Beck’s impressive performance, throwing for 300+ yards for the fifth time this season, has led many to believe that a three-peat could be on the horizon for the Bulldogs.
Georgia’s journey forward includes matchups with Tennessee and Georgia Tech before the much-anticipated clash with Alabama for the SEC title. The last time Georgia and Alabama met was nearly two years ago and since then, the Bulldogs have been the prize of the SEC, winning their first national title in 40 years and now in line for their third consecutive.
While Georgia is favoured to win the SEC championship over Alabama, anything can happen with the great Nick Saban on the other sideline. But if Georgia can get the job done and hold off the always-dangerous Crimson Tide, the Bulldogs have as good a chance as any to win a national title.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (+600)
Alabama’s resurgence has been a narrative of resilience. After a setback against Texas in Week 2, Nick Saban’s squad rallied with eight consecutive wins. This includes a decisive 49-21 victory over Kentucky last week off the back of quarterback Jalen Milroe’s stellar performance, securing a career-high six touchdowns, solidifying Alabama’s elite standing.
There’s no question that the loss to Texas earlier in the season still looms large. But since that point, Alabama has run the table putting together a string of impressive wins against ranked opponents like Ole Miss, Tennessee and LSU as well as dominant 40-point performances against Mississippi State and now Kentucky.
Alabama’s upcoming matchups against Chatanooga and Auburn will set the stage for a pivotal SEC title game against Georgia on December 2.
4. Oregon Ducks (+800)
Despite an agonizing loss to Washington back in October, the Ducks remain a legitimate title contender. Bo Nix has been the linchpin of Oregon’s success, throwing for 3,135 passing yards and 29 passing touchdowns through ten games. He’s also got the highest completion percentage (78%) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (29-2) of any player in college football.
The Ducks’ high-powered offence has been nothing short of impressive, averaging 540 yards per game, good for second-best in the country. This coupled with their dynamic defence that’s allowing just 309.4 yards per game (18th in the FBS), makes for one of the most well-rounded teams in the NCAA.
Unfortunately, the road ahead for Oregon is challenging with matchups against Arizona State and arch-rivals Oregon State, who are fighting for College Football Playoffs contention themselves. For the Ducks to make the CFP and compete for a national title, they will need to finish the regular season unscathed and secure a pivotal win against Washington in the Pac-12 championship game.
5. Ohio State Buckeyes (+800)
Ohio State’s storied history as a college football powerhouse continues in 2024. The defence has been the driving force behind their success, ranking second nationally by allowing a mere 9.9 points per game this season. Key offensive players, including TreVeyon Henderson and Emeka Egbuka, returning from injury have also contributed to the team’s undefeated 10-0 record. Not to mention the elite play of Heisman candidate Marvin Harrison Jr.
Despite all of this, the Buckeyes have played just two nationally ranked opponents all season; Notre Dame and Penn State, both of whom they defeated by a single score. As a result, the looming clash against Michigan in ‘The Game’ holds seismic implications. The winner of this matchup will claim the Big Ten championship and a spot in the College Football Playoffs, while the loser will likely be removed from contention entirely given the competitive landscape.
Conclusion
As the regular season winds down, the college football landscape is rife with excitement and uncertainty. Michigan stands atop the odds charts, but with formidable competition from the likes of Georgia, Alabama, Oregon and Ohio State, the race for the CFP National Championship remains wide open. Stay tuned as these teams battle for supremacy in the quest for college football glory.
