College football is going through a lot of changes. One of the biggest changes is expanding the playoff from four to 12 teams. With this being the first year of an expanded CFB Playoff, projecting the 12-team field should be a lot of fun.
Here are my early 12-team College Football Playoff predictions with betting odds to make the field.
College Football Playoff projections and odds
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
1. Georgia Bulldogs (-550)
Georgia didn't get an opportunity to win its third-straight title last season after falling to Alabama in the SEC Championship but the Bulldogs are the favorites to hoist another trophy this year. Georgia faces one of the toughest schedules in the country with road games at Alabama, Texas and Ole Miss.
Still, this is arguably the most talented roster in the country and an SEC title will warrant the No. 1 seed in the CFB Playoff.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes (-650)
Ohio State is loaded with 15 starters returning, including nine on defense. Chip Kelly comes over from UCLA to run an explosive offense that features two star running backs and the Buckeyes' usual elite talent at receiver.
Road games at Oregon and Penn State will be a challenge but if new quarterback Will Howard plays well, Ohio State should be a top two seed in the CFB Playoff.
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3. Utah Utes (+260)
With conference champions earning the top four seeds, Utah doesn't need to be the third best team in the country, it just needs to win the Big 12. The Utes return eight starters on what should be one of the country's top defenses.
If quarterback Cameron Rising is healthy, watch out. The Utes +260 to make the CFB Playoff is nice value.
4. Miami Hurricanes (+210)
The ACC will be wild this season and I could see Miami, Florida State or Clemson winning the conference. I'm giving a slight edge to the Hurricanes.
Miami has a chance to be strong in the trenches on both sides of the ball and new quarterback Cam Ward could be the difference in a tight conference race.
5. Texas Longhorns (-230)
Texas has the third shortest odds to win the National Championship but if the Longhorns don't beat out Georgia in the SEC, the highest they can rank in the CFB Playoff is fifth. I give the Bulldogs a slight edge in the SEC, although Texas faces a much easier schedule.
Win at Michigan early in the season and the Longhorns will likely be unbeaten when they host Georgia on Oct. 19. Texas could easily be the No. 1 sed when it's all said and done.
6. Oregon Ducks (-280)
The Ducks lose quarterback Bo Nix but bring in experienced Dillon Gabriel to run a high-powered offense that shouldn't miss a beat. Head coach Dan Lanning has killed it in the transfer portal and Oregon gets Ohio State in Eugene on Oct. 12.
The Ducks are serious National Championship contenders even if they finish runner-up in the Big Ten.
7. Ole Miss Rebels (-125)
Another team that could finish atop the SEC is Ole Miss. The Rebels will have one of the highest-scoring offenses in the country and Lane Kiffin brought in some beef through the transfer portal to help sure up the run defense.
The Rebels host Georgia and miss Texas and Alabama. Everything sets up for the Lane Train to roll into the CFB Playoff.
8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-170)
The Irish don't face their typical murderous schedule in 2024. The key to a Notre Dame playoff appearance is at the beginning and end where the Irish travel to Texas A&M and USC. Split those two games and beat Florida State at home and the Irish will be in the field.
Even lose two out of those three and Notre Dame could still make it because they are Notre Dame. The defense should be good enough to get it done.
9. Penn State Nittany Lions (-145)
Penn State is a great example of a team I don't particularly love but the schedule sets up for a CFB Playoff appearance. The Nittany Lions miss Michigan and Oregon, while getting Ohio State at home. Penn State's defense will be able to take care of its inferior Big Ten opponents.
I don't view the Nittany Lions as a serious title contender but there is a reason why they are -145 to make the CFB Playoff.
10. Alabama Crimson Tide (+120)
Here are where things get interesting. There will be three or four SEC teams fighting for a couple playoff spots with Alabama being one of them. The Tide lost iconic coach Nick Saban and 40 players off last year's playoff squad. However, the cupboard isn't bare for Kalen DeBoer.
How the new-look Tide gets through a rough schedule that features Georgia, Ole Miss, LSU, Tennessee and Missouri will decide Alabama's playoff fate.
11. LSU Tigers (+125)
LSU loses a ton of production from the nation's top-rated offense but new quarterback Garrett Nussmeier leads an explosive unit that shouldn't fall off much. The key to a Tigers' playoff appearance will be new coordinator Blake Baker fixing a defense that was atrocious in 2023.
If LSU can just be average on defense, the offense is good enough to win home games versus Alabama, Ole Miss and Oklahoma. The opener versus USC will tell us if LSU is a playoff contender or pretender this season.
12. Boise State Broncos (+500)
The final spot could go to either Liberty or Boise State. I like the Broncos coming out of the MWC. Boise State has 14 returning starters and brings in highly touted former USC recruit Malachi Nelson at quarterback.
After an early season trip to Oregon, the schedule sets up well for the Broncos. Boise State +500 to make the CFB Playoff isn't an awful investment.
First five out
Missouri Tigers (+180)
Michigan Wolverines (+115)
Florida State Seminoles (+160)
Tennessee Volunteers (+170)
Clemson Tigers (+200)