2024 College Football Playoff picks, odds and opening round matchups

On By Littum

The College Football Playoff kicked off Friday night, and Notre Dame dominated proceedings at home in a 27-17 victory over Indiana. Now, three more opening round games are the most watched and wagered contests on Saturday as the teams bid for a place in the quarterfinals Dec. 31-Jan. 1.

College Footabll Playoff Odds and TV Schedule

College football odds from FanDuel Sportsbook is updated regularly and subject to change, including on props and live betting. Bet types, odds and terms with listed point spreads on favorites. All times eastern.

Saturday 21 December

  • no. 11 SMU at no. 6 Penn State (-8.5), total 53.5 | 12.00 | TNT/Max
  • No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas (-13.5), 50.5| 16.00 | TNT/Max
  • No. 9 Tennessee at Ohio State no. 8 (-7.5), 46.5 | 20.00 | ABC/ESPN

SMU at Penn State

Both teams lost their conference championship games, and plenty of talk about Penn State not winning the biggest games against top teams. It ends today with an expected double digit win by the Nittany Lions with colder temperatures in the 20’s, snow (80%) and winds up to 20 mph will keep the SMU ponies from making a splash. Penn State is the better team in the stat (+2.2 vs +1.7 yards per play) and played the tougher schedule (No. 36 vs. No. 64). SMU’s offensive line will struggle alongside QB Jennings, who will be forced into mistakes by Penn State’s pressure and stronger defense, which held five opponents to season-low yards and allowed just 16.4 points and 282 yards per game. That despite the fact that he was scored by no. 1 Oregon in a Big Ten Championship Game loss, 45-37, while gaining more than 500 yards on the Ducks, including 292 rushing. Penn State’s stronger pedigree and players deliver a pounding of the ponies.

Pick: Penn State

Clemson in Texas

Fans in South Carolina and Texas cannot bet on the game with US sportsbooks. But BetOnline.ag is taking big viewing and betting action on the Tigers and Longhorns CFP game, and more money has come in on Texas in the last 24 hours, driving the line up to -13.5. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is 12-2 ATS as a 5-or-more point underdog, including 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS in bowls. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik and Texas QB Quinn Ewers were high school rivals, and Klubnik returns home where he played in Austin at Westlake high school. The Longhorns are stronger in the trenches and have a +1.6 net yards per carry differential. game over the Tigers. Texas hasn’t been able to close the deal or score more often in the red zone in some key games, but don’t be surprised to see some extra packages for QB Arch Manning. If the Longhorns put it together, you’ll see a Texas-sized victory.

Opinion: Texas

Tennessee at Ohio State

Leading online sportsbooks expect this to be the most-watched and wagered game of the early College Football Playoff contests, with the winner against Oregon in the CFP quarterfinals on Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Pro scouts are sure to tune in as Ohio State has nine players in the top-100 prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft, according to the NFL Mock Draft Data Base’s 2025 Consensus Big Board.

Both Ohio State and Tennessee are defensive dominatorsand it makes sense that we’ll see less scoring than expected with the Buckeye’s no. 1 scoring defense (10.9 PPG) and the Volunteers allowing less than 15 points per game. battle (14.9). Ohio State is also top-3 in the nation in offense and defense expected points added per game. Tons of Tennessee fans travel to Columbus, and the Vols haven’t played a game north of their home state this season. But with a stronger defense and a balanced offense that averages 226 rushing and 214 passing yards per game. game, the Volunteers are worth a bet against the Buckeye’s and their elite defense.

Selected: Tennessee + and under 46.5

Ohio recently became the first state to offer free online therapy problems with sports betting. Those fans betting on the Buckeye’s to get a win over the Volunteers will be lining up for more gambling therapy if Ohio State loses. Head coach Ryan Day is 66-10 with four College Football Playoff appearances in six seasons. Still, he may find work at another university to the sound of disgruntled fans after the rivalry loss to Michigan and a loss to Tennessee in the Big Game.

You can bet on it.

College Football Playoff quarterfinal game

Tuesday 31 Dec

9. Boise State vs. Penn State/SMU to Win – Fiesta Bowl | 19:30 | ESPN

Wednesday, January 1

Winner no. 12 at Arizona State vs. Texas/Clemson – Peach Bowl | 13.00 | ESPN

Winner No. 1 Oregon vs. Ohio State/Tennessee – Rose Bowl | 17.00 | ESPN

No. 2 Georgia (-1) vs. Notre Dame, 44.5 – Sugar Bowl | 20:45 | ESPN

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