The College Football Playoff kicks off with a blockbuster matchup between in-state foes, as the No. 10 seed Indiana Hoosiers (11-1) travel to South Bend to take on the No. 7 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1). The Irish are laying 7.5 points at home in this one, with the total sitting at 50.5 points.

This marks the first-ever meeting between these programs in the playoff, adding even more intrigue to what was already shaping up as one of the most compelling first-round clashes.

The Fighting Irish are looking to reestablish themselves as a national powerhouse, while the Hoosiers are out to prove their magical season is no fluke. Oddsmakers are siding with the Irish, but the sharp money is going the other way…

Indiana vs Notre Dame Odds

The spread opened at Notre Dame -8.5 but has since moved to -7.5, with the Hoosiers garnering early betting action. The total has ticked down from 51.5 to 50.5, indicating bettors are expecting a lower-scoring affair.

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Odds as of December 11, 2024, at Bet365 Sportsbook. Claim the Bet365 promo code to bet on CFP Round 1.

Hoosiers Betting Analysis

Indiana has been the feel-good story of the college football season, rattling off 11 wins under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti. The Hoosiers’ explosive offense, led by quarterback Kurtis Rourke (71.5% completions, 27-4 TD-INT), ranks 1st in success rate and 2nd in EPA/Play – and boy, has it worked.

However, the Hoosiers did struggle against elite defenses in Ohio State and Michigan, totaling just 35 points in those contests. Their methodical approach could face another stiff test against a stingy Notre Dame defense. Establishing the run (173.6 YPG) and hitting on selective deep shots will be key.

Kurtis Rourke finds Omar Cooper for another @IndianaFootball TD pic.twitter.com/B4lmJLCH04

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 1, 2024

Defensively, Indiana has been surprisingly stout, ranking 2nd in EPA/play allowed. They’ve been vulnerable to the pass at times (61.6% completions allowed) but have excelled at limiting explosive plays (4th in FBS). Winning on early downs and forcing the Irish into third-and-longs will be crucial.

The Hoosiers are 9-3 ATS this season, consistently rewarding bettors who have backed them. They’re 8-1 ATS when generating 7+ explosive plays offensively.

Fighting Irish Betting Analysis

Notre Dame has rebounded from an early-season stumble against Northern Illinois to rattle off 10 straight wins. The Irish lean on an old-school, smash-mouth ground attack (224.8 YPG) that ranks 2nd in EPA/rush, consistently winning at the line of scrimmage (3.94 yards after contact per attempt).

Quarterback Riley Leonard (2,092 passing yards, 16-5 TD-INT, 721 rushing yards, 14 TDs) has been solid if unspectacular. The Irish secondary did show some cracks against USC (360 yards allowed), which could be problematic against the veteran pass-first QB Kurtis Rourke.

Notre Dame’s defense is anchored by an elite secondary that leads the nation in passing success rate and completion rate allowed. However, their run defense has been suspect at times, ranking 129th in stuff rate. If the Hoosiers can stay ahead of the chains on the ground, they could find room to operate.

The Irish are 9-2-1 ATS this season, including 6-2-1 as favorites of a touchdown or more. Their 4-3 ATS mark in South Bend suggests they don’t always dominate inferior opponents as expected.

Early Indiana vs Notre Dame Prediction

This strength vs strength matchup pits Indiana’s dynamic offense against Notre Dame’s stingy defense. The Hoosiers have the firepower to test the Irish secondary that just got torched by USC, while Notre Dame’s punishing run game draws a favorable matchup against an Indiana front that has shown some cracks.

The total has ticked down from 51.5 to 50.5, as both teams’ ball-control offenses and strong defenses point toward a lower-scoring affair. The weather forecast and potential conservative game plans should contribute to a methodical pace.

• Early Picks: Indiana +7.5 | Under 50.5

Here’s the thing: The Hoosiers have consistently exceeded expectations this season, and getting over a touchdown in what should be a competitive game looks enticing. Don’t be surprised if Indiana keeps this one close throughout.

Unless we see a bunch of turnovers or explosive plays, this one should stay under the number while coming down to the final few possessions. I’m grabbing both Indiana +7.5 and the Under before the lines move further.

The post Early Indiana vs Notre Dame Prediction, Pick & Odds for CFP Playoffs Round 1 appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The stage is set for an enticing College Football Playoff first-round matchup between SMU and Penn State. These conference runner-ups will square off on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at noon ET in the iconic Beaver Stadium.

Oddsmakers are heavily leaning toward the Nittany Lions, despite James Franklin’s poor track record in big games. The electric home playoff atmosphere in Happy Valley could make all the difference in a showdown that will be broadcast on TNT/Max.

Let’s break down the early college football bowl betting odds and provide our SMU vs Penn State prediction.

SMU vs Penn State Odds

The books have Penn State as an 8.5-point favorite here. That translates to about a 77% chance of a Nittany Lions win. SMU sits as a +270 underdog, giving them roughly a 27% shot at pulling off the upset.

With the total set at 54 points, oddsmakers are expecting these offenses to put up some fireworks.

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Mustangs Betting Analysis

SMU rolls into this one at 11-2, fresh off a heartbreaking 34-31 loss to Clemson in the ACC title game. QB Kevin Jennings has been the real deal since taking over, going 9-1 as the starter. He’s a true dual-threat weapon, putting up 379 yards and 5 TDs on the ground while throwing for 3,050 yards with 22 TDs and eight picks.

The Mustangs love to pound the rock. They rank 17th in the country in both carries (506) and rushing touchdowns (29).

Running back Brendon Smith has been a beast, racking up 1,270 yards and 14 scores on 217 carries. But they’ll have their work cut out for them against Penn State’s stout run D, which gives up just 103.6 yards per game.

What really impressed me about SMU was their grit in the ACC Championship. They fell behind early but never quit. Jennings showed some serious poise, leading multiple scoring drives to keep them in it. They’ll need that same mental toughness when they walk into what’s sure to be a rowdy Beaver Stadium.

Nittany Lions Betting Analysis

Penn State comes in at 11-2, with their only losses against teams that made the playoff. Their defense has been flat-out nasty all year. They rank eighth in scoring D (16.4 PPG), ninth against the run (103.6 YPG), and 16th against the pass (178.5 YPG).

The Lions’ offense really showed up in the Big Ten title game, hanging 518 yards on a solid Oregon defense. QB Drew Allar has grown up before our eyes this season, putting together a solid stat line (224/324, 2894 yards, 21 TDs, 7 INTs) while making plays with his legs.

Drew Allar had a couple of really impressive throws climbing the pocket, adjusting his arm slot and hitting back side routes for Penn State against Oregon. First throw is just insane, a must-have throw while he's escaping a sack.

Second throw: beautifully layered to Warren. pic.twitter.com/QaokimhnvN

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) December 9, 2024

Tyler Warren has turned into a monster at tight end, hauling in 88 balls for 1,062 yards and six scores. Not many players improved their draft stock more this season than PSU’s standout tight end.

The elephant in the room? James Franklin’s record in big games. He’s just 1-4 against AP Top 10 teams and has dropped 11 straight against such opponents. Getting over that hump with a playoff win would be huge for this program.

Don’t sleep on the home-field edge here. December in Happy Valley is no joke. If the weather turns nasty, it could really throw off an SMU team that’s used to playing in the Dallas heat.

SMU vs Penn State Early Prediction

SMU’s had a great run and showed tons of fight in the ACC title game. However, Penn State’s overall talent, shutdown defense, and home-field advantage should be too much here. Look for the Nittany Lions to control the pace and grind out a win.

In terms of my ATS prediction, the spread feels about right to me. Penn State has the tools to cover, but SMU’s proven they can hang with anyone. This should be a battle. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and injury updates as we get closer to kickoff – those factors could swing things either way.

I’m leaning toward Penn State -8.5, especially if the weather forecast projections hold. Pinnacle, one of the sharpest bookmakers in the world, has already bumped this line up to -9. If you like the home team here, I’d lock in PSU -8.5 while you can.

Early Lean:

• Penn State -8.5 (-110)

The post SMU vs Penn State Early Prediction, Pick & Odds – College Football Playoffs Round 1 appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

In previous years, there was zero chance one, yet alone two programs who didn’t make their Conference Championship Game would crack the College Football Playoff bracket.

Now with the expanded format however, the best teams can still fight for a National Title even if they have a slip-up or two.

That’s perfect for #9 Tennessee and # Ohio State. Both teams have been staples in the top-10 all year, despite their two losses. They’ll square off on Saturday, December 21^st in a First-Round playoff game, with the Buckeyes pegged as chalk in the latest college football odds.

Tennessee vs Ohio State Odds

Ohio State opened as 7.5-point favorites, in a contest with a total of 47.5. That’s currently where both the spread and total numbers sit, although as we get closer to kickoff, expect a flurry of Buckeyes action which could push the spread further in their favor.

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Kickoff for this playoff tilt is set for 8 pm ET at Ohio Stadium, in Columbus, OH, with ABC and ESPN providing the broadcast coverage.

How Ohio State Can Overwhelm Tennessee

Ohio State was on track to face #1 Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game until a loss to unranked Michigan in the regular season finale. The Buckeyes played well enough defensively to win, but mustered only 10 points on offense.

Senior QB Will Howard picked the wrong time to have his worst game of the year, completing only 58% of his throws, while turning the ball over twice. Howard exceeded all expectations through his first 11 games, and Ohio State backers will bank on his latest performance being an outlier.

The biggest problem was his inability to get the ball to star wideout Jeremiah Smith. The Big Ten Receiver saw only two targets after halftime against the Wolverines, after shattering the school receiving records for a freshman.

On the ground, Ohio State boasts a strong rushing attack, featuring Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. The duo combined for 1,556 rushing yards and 14 TD his season.

The Buckeyes finished sixth in points per drive this season, and ninth on offense per SP+. They were 3-1 versus top-20 ranked opponents in the SP+ rankings, winning each time by at least a touchdown.

@OhioStateFB's defense is in a league of their own this year

They rank 1st in FBS ranks in four different categories pic.twitter.com/OyiUEVaS0c

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 28, 2024

As good as the offense is, the defense is even better. They’re the number one unit per SP+, and the number one scoring defense. The Ohio State pass rush and coverage group are among the best in the country, and they’ll pose a daunting test for a Tennessee offense that struggles to generate big plays.

Can the Volunteers Keep it Close?

The Vols averages less than 12 yards per successful play, which ranks 115th in the nation. Unlike Ohio State, they don’t have elite wideouts, which forces them to methodically drive the length of the field without making mistakes.

That can be done against weak defenses, but not versus the Buckeyes. That should force Tennessee to lean on the run, but rush defense is also a strength for Ohio State. The Buckeyes allow just 2.9 yards per carry, and less than 100 rushing yards per contest.

On the other side of the ball, the Vols defense is one of the few in the country that can give Ohio State problems. Tennessee ranks fourth nationally in havoc rate, a metric that measures tackles for loss, passes defended and fumbles forced.

The Vols defense also grades out fourth overall per SP+, and fourth in points allowed at 13.9 per contest. Opponents are averaging only 282 yards of offense, while Jermod McCoy might be the answer to who’ll slow down Smith.

he picked this.@Jermodmccoy #GBO pic.twitter.com/GSYOBFTKpd

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 30, 2024

McCoy has four picks and eight pass breakups this season, while enemy QB’s have a dismal 13.2 QBR when targeting receivers in his coverage. Tennessee grades out top-17 in both pass rush and coverage per Pro Football Focus, and force nearly two turnovers per game.

Tennessee vs Ohio State Early Prediction

Now that the CFP is set, the Buckeyes have fallen to fourth in the National Championship odds, while the Vols are seventh. Both programs are exceptional defensively, and points will be at a premium.

In Tennessee’s three toughest roads games this season, they averaged 19 points. Their inability to produce explosive plays is concerning, as we can’t expect them to dink and dunk their way down the field successfully versus this Ohio State defense.

The Buckeyes offense is an imposing unit, but they’re not immune to struggling either. As mentioned, they produced only 10 points versus Michigan, and only 20 points against Penn State. Both those defenses rank below Tennessee’s, which should give pause to bettors expecting a massive offensive output.

• Tennessee vs Ohio State Early Pick: Under 47.5 (-110)

The post Tennessee vs Ohio State Betting Line, Early Prediction & Preview appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

After a dramatic win in the ACC title game, 12th-seeded Clemson (10-3, 6-6 ATS) rides into the college football playoff to face fifth-seeded Texas (11-2, 7-6 ATS) Saturday, Dec. 21 on TNT.

It’s the Tigers’ first appearance in the CFP since 2020. Clemson won the national title in 2016 and 2018. This is Texas’ first season in the SEC. They have two losses, both to SEC champ Georgia.

We’ve got everything you need to know about these two teams, including a breakdown of the early odds and a prediction for this first-round College Football Playoff encounter.

Clemson vs Texas odds

Odds as of Dec. 9 at Caesars Sportsbook. Be sure to check the top Caesars Sportsbook promos before making a bet on any College Football Playoff Round 1 match-up. 

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Texas opened up as 10.5-point favorites, and that number had already ticked up a half point in the first 24 hours to 11 points at Caesars and DraftKings.

The Longhorns are 7-6 against the spread and lost three of their last four games against the spread. Clemson is 6-6 against the spread (there was no posted line for their game with The Citadel). They’ve also lost three of its last four games against the number.

When talking total, both of these teams have been a good under bet this season. Clemson is 4-8 over/under, while Texas is just 4-8-1. The last four Clemson games have all hit the under. The early posted total is 51.5.

Looking at moneyline bets, best early value is Clemson +328 at Caesars and Texas -400 at BetMGM.

"Cade Klubnik's our guy" @ClemsonFB's QB1 will make his CFP debut in his hometown Austin, TX. pic.twitter.com/d9XPLMcxaD

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) December 8, 2024

Talking Tigers

How did Clemson get here? Their 10-3 record isn’t impressive. They have losses to South Carolina and Louisville. The truth is Coach Dabo Swinney has built an opportunistic, tough team that is second in the nation in turnover margin at +16.

Quarterback Cade Klubnik has thrown for 33 touchdowns and done so without a real 1A man as a wide receiver. His best look is probably tight end Jake Briningstool, who has set Clemson career records for a tight end with 123 catches and 17 touchdowns.

Defensively, the Tigers – again – aren’t that impressive. They were 14th in the ACC against the run, and fourth in points allowed. TJ Parker has 11 sacks. Clemson has won games by forcing teams into mistakes and taking advantage. Klubnik doesn’t do one thing especially well, but he has no glaring weaknesses.

Texas Two Step

After a second loss to Georgia in the SEC championship game, there was some social media chatter questioning the Longhorns, who don’t have a win over a (current) Top 25 team.

But remember, Texas clobbered Michigan early in the season (when we thought Michigan was good), and destroyed Texas A&M two weeks ago (when we thought A&M was good). Quarterback Quinn Ewers missed some games this season and fell off the early Heisman lists. He’s thrown for 2,665 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Texas, for some reason, has turned back-up QB Arch Manning into some variation of Tim Tebow and is using him as a power runner.

ANTHONY HILL JR. STANDS ON BUSINESS pic.twitter.com/OnRhxK6ZDz

— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) December 7, 2024

The strength of Texas is its defense. It ranked No. 2 in the nation in scoring, and was the No. 1 defense in the nation against the pass. Anthony Hill Jr. had 7.5 sacks and a team-high 90 tackles.

Clemson vs Texas Early Prediction

• Texas -10.5 (at FanDuel)
• Under 51.5 (at FanDuel)

Texas may have its faults, but it’s better than Clemson. The Texas defensive line will be all over Klubnik, and Clemson doesn’t have a game breaker at wide receiver. On the other side of the ball, Texas’ offense can sometimes seem pretty jumbled, but Clemson has had trouble stopping the run.

Texas will pound the ball with Quintrevion Wisner. We like the under and could see Texas winning by a couple of touchdowns, like 24-7.

The post Clemson vs Texas Early Prediction, Pick & Odds – CFP Playoffs Round 1 appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Navy and Army will battle for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy on Saturday, December 14. One of college football’s most storied rivalries takes center stage as the service academies square off in a game that is defined by physicality and tradition. The annual Army-Navy game kicks off from Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland at 3 pm ET.

Here’s a look at the early odds and our predictions for this Navy vs Army matchup.

Navy vs Army Odds

Army are 5.5-point favorites in the college football odds. The total for Navy vs Army is set at 40.5 points.

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Odds as of December 9 at FanDuel. Check out the best football betting apps for Navy vs Army.

Navy’s Spread Option Causes Problems

Navy has been a thorn in the side of opposing defenses this season, as they’ve transformed their offense into a potent spread-option attack. Navy runs the ball on over 75% of snaps, averaging 246.2 rushing yards per game on 5.5 yards per carry.

Star quarterback Blake Horvath helms the Midshipmen attack. He’s thrown for 11 touchdowns and just four interceptions, and rushed for 895 yards and another 13 scores. Unfortunately, Horvath has been dealing with a rib injury since September, and aggravated that injury in November against Tulane. He’s questionable to suit up for Saturday’s Navy vs Army showdown.

BLAKE HORVATH DOING WHAT NAVY DOES BEST! pic.twitter.com/O8v6PBlxus

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) October 26, 2024

Navy’s defense hasn’t been as prophetic as their offense this season. Although, they do allow just 23.4 points per game. Unfortunately, the Midshipmen have also surrendered a gaudy 4.5 yards per rush, which could be their Achilles heel against the number-one rushing attack in the nation.

Keep in mind, the Midshipmen are 7-3 ATS in their past 10 games. However, they’re just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 against Army.

Army Looks to Put Stamp On Amazing Season

The Army Black Knights enter this contest riding a wave of momentum. AAC Champions after going a perfect 9-0 in the conference, the 2024 season has been Army’s best in a generation. Their 11-1 record is the program’s best in the modern era.

Quarterback Bryson Daily has rightfully been compared to Captain America. He’s blasted opposing defenses into submission all year, rushing for 1,480 yards and 29 touchdowns on 5.6 yards per carry. Daily added eight more touchdown passes through the air while leading the Black Knight’s dominant rushing attack.

Army leads the FBS with 308.9 rushing yards per game, but they’re far more explosive this year and sit 30th while averaging 32.1 points per contest.

BRYSON DAILY FOR HEISMAN

-1480 rushing yards and tied for national lead with 29 rushing tds (while playing 2 fewer games)

-Rushed for at least 100 yards in 10 consecutive games

-Threw for 877 yards and 8 tds

-Ranked 4th nationally in rushing (134.5 ypg) and 1st in… pic.twitter.com/NUFq7zer9a

— The American (@American_Conf) December 7, 2024

The Black Knight’s defense has been unbelievable in 2024. Army are allowing just 15.7 points per game, and 5.1 points per play this season. They’ve been incredibly stout in the red zone, allowing opposing offenses to score a touchdown on just 58% of trip inside the 20.

Intriguingly, the total has gone under in four of Army’s last six games.

Navy vs Army Early Prediction

Historically, the Army-Navy game has been a low-scoring affair, with the last four matchups averaging a total of 27.5 points. However, this year’s contest has the potential to buck that trend. Both teams are far more dynamic offensively than in years’ past.

Ultimately, Army’s stellar defense will be able to contain Navy’s offense for long stretches, while their relentless rushing attack will wear down the Midshipmen over four quarters. With Horvath’s status up in the air, backing the Black Knight’s is the highest value early prediction.

Early Navy vs Army Pick:

• Army -5.5 (-115)

The post Navy vs Army Early Prediction, Odds & Spread – CFB Week 16 appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Bowl season has arrived, signaling the pinnacle of the college football calendar! The excitement begins on December 14th with the Salute to Veterans Bowl, kicking off a jam-packed schedule featuring a bowl game on 20 of the next 37 days, all the way through to the National Championship on January 20th.

Many games are scheduled for the afternoon and evening, making it the ideal time to wrap up work early and enjoy some CFB festivities.

Read on for a complete rundown of the opening college football bowl lines from our CFB odds page, along with exclusive early predictions for the biggest matchups.

2024-25 College Football Bowl Game Odds

One of the tightest spreads in the early bowl odds is the Alamo Bowl, where Colorado is favored by 2.5 points over BYU in a Big 12 vs Big 12 matchup. The ReliaQuest Bowl projects to be the most lopsided, with Alabama a heavy -13.5-point favorite over Michigan.

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Alabama vs Michigan Betting Line & Prediction

#11 Alabama and unranked Michigan square off in a rematch of last year’s CFP semifinal at the Rose Bowl. The opening betting line has the Crimson Tide as large -13.5 favorites, with the over/under set at 46 points.

Alabama is coming off a solid 9-3 season under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, but missed out on the CFP after a surprising blowout loss to Oklahoma. The Wolverines pulled off an upset of their own in Week 14, though, beating Ohio State for the fourth straight year.

MICHIGAN DELIVERS AN ALL-TIME UPSET AT THE HORSESHOE! UNBELIEVABLE! pic.twitter.com/6wucLsumPh

— ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) November 30, 2024

For my Alabama vs Michigan prediction, I like the Tide to get some revenge after last year’s Rose Bowl loss. QB Jalen Milroe is a true dual-threat (2,652 pass yds, 719 rush yds, 35 total TDs) that will give the Michigan defense fits. The Wolverines could also be without some key players like DT Mason Graham, who may opt out to prepare for the NFL draft.

Yes, Michigan ended the year strong and will be motivated to prove the team is trending in the right direction. But in DeBoer’s quick-strike offense and with superior talent across the board, I expect Bama to roll to a two-touchdown victory in the Sunshine State.

• Pick: Alabama -1.5 (-110)

BYU vs Colorado Odds & Betting Pick

The Alamo Bowl landed a juicy Big 12 vs Big 12 matchup, with #17 BYU taking on #20 Colorado. The Buffaloes are narrow 2.5-point favorites, with an over/under of 53.5 points.

This will be the first meeting between the programs since 1988, a gap of 36 years. Both teams finished 7-2 in Big 12 play, as part of a four-way tie for the conference crown. With identical records, the Alamo Bowl opted for the bigger brand in Colorado.

https://twitter.com/GloryColorado/status/1732845196288460899

In making our BYU vs Colorado pick, the Buffs have a couple key edges that make them the smart play under a field goal. Coach Deion Sanders is undefeated in bowl games, and both his offensive and defensive units rank in the top 25 nationally in terms of efficiency.

Colorado also has the clear talent advantage, with Shedeur Sanders (3,926 pass yds, 35 TD) tossing to Heimsan favorite Travis Hunter (1,152 rec yds, 14 TD). Despite Hunter and Sanders being projected first-round draft picks, Sanders has already stated both players are expected to suit up against BYU.

The Cougars had a nice bounce-back year in their Big 12 debut, but asking them to upset a team as complete as Colorado is a bit much. Expect lots of fireworks in San Antonio, with the Buffs ultimately prevailing something like 38-31.

• Pick: Colorado -2.5 (-105)
• Pick: Over 53.5 Points (-110)

Ole Miss vs Duke Betting Odds & Prediction

The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl features an intriguing interconference showdown between #14 Ole Miss (9-3) and 9-3 Duke. The Rebels are 2.5-point favorites at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, with the total sitting at just 42.5 points.

These teams have never faced off before, adding to the intrigue of an SEC vs ACC clash. The Blue Devils closed the year on a three-game win streak under first-year head man Manny Diaz, finishing 5-3 in conference play.

Meanwhile, Ole Miss looked like CFP contenders after taking down Georgia in November. But they spit the bit with an inexplicable loss at Florida and had to settle for a second-tier bowl instead.

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Bound!@taxslayerbowl | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/snvhNofPqf

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 8, 2024

When analyzing this marchup, motivation is a huge factor working in Duke’s favor. The Blue Devils would love to cap off Diaz’s debut season with a signature win over an SEC foe. The Rebels, on the other hand, could struggle to get up for this game after their CFP hopes were dashed.

On the field, Duke’s stingy defense (22.2 ppg allowed, 2nd in ACC) is well-equipped to slow down the Ole Miss attack. The Blue Devils also have a more balanced offense that should be able to control the clock and keep the Rebels’ playmakers on the sideline.

With Ole Miss possibly suffering a post-Georgia hangover and the Blue Devils peaking at the right time, I like the small dog to spring a mild upset. Diaz’s team has the second-longest active bowl winning streak in FBS (5), and I’m not betting on them slowing down here.

• Pick: Duke +2.5 (-110)

Those are our early betting previews for three of the most high-profile non-New Year’s Six bowl games. Motivation is always tricky to handicap this time of year, with opt-outs and letdown spots galore. But by focusing on the fundamentals and matchups, bettors can still find an edge.

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The final College Football Playoff bracket has been finalized, and updated Nation Championship odds have been released. The undefeated Big 10 champion Oregon Ducks remain the top seed in the CFP bracket, with the SEC champion Georgia Bulldogs, MWC champion Boise State, and Big 12 champion Arizona State also receiving first-round byes.

In a shocker for the SEC, the three-loss Alabama Crimson Tide failed to make the playoff in Kalen Deboer’s first year at the helm. Cam Ward and the 10-2 Miami Hurricanes also miss out on the playoffs, after falling to Syracuse in Week 14. Find all the updated CFP National Champion odds, and our analysis of the CFP bracket, below.

National Championship Odds

Oregon are the favorites in the latest college football national championship odds, followed by Georgia, Texas, Ohio State, and Penn State. Counter-intuitively, the longest shot on the board – Boise State – is one of the four teams that received a bye to the quarterfinals.

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Odds as of December 8 at FanDuel. Check out the best football betting apps for CFP National Championship betting.

Oregon Favored to win CFP

Dillon Gabriel and the Oregon Ducks sit atop the CFP pedestal. The only undefeated team on the board, the top-ranked Ducks remain the favorites to win the National Championship at +330 odds.

College Football Playoff bracket thoughts? pic.twitter.com/FUOkNEornj

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 8, 2024

Dan Lanning’s squad have blown away the Big 10 competition in their first year in the conference, taking home the conference championship with a huge 45-37 victory over Penn State.

The Ducks also boast victories over fellow CFP contenders Ohio State and Boise State. Few teams can match Oregon’s dominant combination of a high-flying offense and top-tier defensive front seven.

Georgia Are Clear Contenders

Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs held on to upset Texas in the SEC Championship with a Trevor Etienne touchdown scamper in overtime. Concerningly, Georgia lost starting quarterback Carson Beck to a hand injury, however he did return for overtime.

Beck’s status for the CFP remains in question; however, the three-week bye-week break will do a world of good for the banged-up Bulldogs.

𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧.

The Dawgs are headed to the Big Easy.#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/NT33HGMRBI

— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) December 8, 2024

Georgia will begin their playoff quest for their third National Championship in four years against either Notre Dame or Indiana. The Bulldogs have faced a tough road to the CFP, but lucked out on seeding.

Georgia would likely face either Penn State or Boise State in a hypothetical semifinal and have an easier path than most teams to the National Championship game.

CFP Sleepers

Despite their loss to Oregon in the Big 10 Championship game, Penn State moved up to number six in the CFP bracket. With quarterback Drew Allar’s stellar play, and an insane amount of skill position talent in Kaytron Allen, Nicholas Singleton and all-world tight end Ty Warren, the Nittany Lions are a certified CFP sleeper.

Penn State drew an extremely favorable path to the quarterfinals, as they’ll host SMU with a trip to take on Boise State on the line. If they can get through those matchups, Georgia awaits in the semifinals. At +650 odds, James Franklins’ squad are the best value on the National Championship odds board.

The 12-team College Football Playoff’s first-ever on-campus games:

• Clemson @ Texas
• Tennessee @ Ohio State
• SMU @ Penn State
• Indiana @ Notre Dame pic.twitter.com/Q1slEcJrXr

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) December 8, 2024

Veteran quarterback Riley Leonard and a hardnosed defense make Notre Dame an excellent CFP longshot. The Fighting Irish have struggled for consistency at times this season. However, Marcus Freeman’s team leads the nation in points per play (0.622).

They’re also third in opponent points per play allowed (0.200). The incredible Fighting Irish passing defense (5.6 yards per pass allowed) will keep them in every CFP game. Watch out for Notre Dame in a potential matchup with Georgia in the second round.

Also see: Opening College Football Round 1 Playoff Odds & Early Predictions

The post Odds to Win National Championship After CFP Bracket Finalized appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Conference championships have been decided and the selection committee has cemented the first-even 12-team College Football Playoff bracket. The top-four seeds, who receive byes to the quarterfinals, are the #1 Oregon Ducks, #2 Georgia Bulldogs, #3, Boise State Broncos, and #4 Arizona State Sun Devils. The four first-round games will feature the #12 Clemson Tigers at #5 Texas Longhorns, #11 SMU Mustangs at #6 Penn State Nittany Lions, #10 Indiana Hoosiers at #7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and #9 Tennessee at #8 Ohio State. The table below lists the opening odds for all four first-round matchups.

College Football Playoff: Round 1 Odds

The opening lines for the quartet of first-round games are all 6.5 points or higher, with the home team heavily favored in all four matchups.

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The latest national championship odds continue to favor Oregon (+320) and Georgia (+380) after the bracket reveal. Texas (+400), Ohio State (+450) and Penn State (+750) round out the top-five favorites. After Penn State, there is a fairly big drop to sixth-favorite Notre Dame (+1200) and then an even bigger drop to seventh-favorite Tennessee (+2500).

The longest shots on the board are SMU (+3000), Clemson (+4000), Arizona State (+4000), Indiana (+4000), and Boise State (+5000).

Early CFP Round 1 Predictions

I was stunned at just how big the opening lines are for these games, and I lean to all four underdogs. Yes, home-field advantage will be a real thing in the Round 1 matchups, but every one of the better-seeded teams already has a straight-up loss on its home field this season.

Texas fell 30-15 to Georgia on Oct. 19 in a game when they were decidedly the second-best team on the field. Penn State lost 20-13 to Ohio State on Nov. 2, getting out-gained 358 to 270 yards in the process. Notre Dame lost 16-14 at home to Northern Illinois in a game that will go down as the single-most puzzling result of the season. And Ohio State lost its fourth straight iteration of The Game in Columbus against Michigan (20-13).

Bookmark the college football public betting splits to see where the early money is going on the first-round games and how the lines are shifting.

The post Opening College Football Round 1 Playoff Odds & Early Predictions appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The 2024 Heisman Trophy race has been wild to follow, with several standouts making their case throughout the college football season. As we wrap up the regular season, one player stands head and shoulders above the pack: Travis Hunter, the electric two-way star from the Colorado Buffaloes.

Hunter’s ability to change games as both a receiver and cornerback has made him the clear Heisman favorite. Over on the blue turf in Boise, Ashton Jeanty has put together a rushing season for the ages. But playing outside the Power Five spotlight hasn’t done his Heisman hopes any favors.

Let’s dive into the final Heisman odds and break down why this race will be remembered as a showdown between a generational talent and a small-school sensation.

Heisman Odds

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Heisman odds as of December 7th, 2024 at DraftKings. Use our DraftKings promo code to make a Heisman bet while there’s still time.

Travis Hunter Heisman Odds

You won’t find better Heisman odds than Hunter’s current -2500 line. The oddsmakers have spoken, and they’re telling us this race is all but over. That 96.2% implied probability of winning tells you everything you need to know about the gap between Hunter and the field.

The numbers back up the hype. Hunter’s hauled in 92 passes for 1,152 yards and 14 scores as a receiver. On defense, he’s locked down his side of the field with 31 tackles, four interceptions, and a forced fumble. We haven’t seen this kind of two-way impact since Charles Woodson brought home the hardware in ’97.

TRAVIS HUNTER WITH THE EARLY INTERCEPTION

His Heisman Trophy campaign continues pic.twitter.com/6JSXGICw9C

— ESPN (@espn) November 29, 2024

That Oklahoma State game put an exclamation point on his campaign. Three touchdown grabs and a pick in a 52-0 statement win. When he struck the Heisman pose on multiple occasions this year following interceptions, it felt right.

This has been Hunter’s award to lose all season, as he’s doing things we haven’t seen any player do in a very long time. The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honor just adds to a trophy case that’s about to get a lot more crowded.

Ashton Jeanty Heisman Odds

Lost in Hunter’s shadow, Boise State’s Jeanty is having a season straight out of NCAA Football 25. The junior back has racked up 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns, putting him fourth all-time in FBS single-season rushing. He needs just 132 more yards to pass Barry Sanders for the top spot.

But even video game numbers can’t overcome Group of Five bias. Jeanty sits at +1000 despite a historic campaign. Jeanty’s implied probability of winning the Heisman is only 9.1%.

𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty took his ENTIRE offensive line out for dinner this week.

“You don't get 2,000 yards rushing by yourself…I really appreciate them.”

Give this kid the Heisman pic.twitter.com/twNcaIdUOA

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 6, 2024

Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson hasn’t been shy about stumping for his star, calling Jeanty “the best football player in the country.” Jeanty’s loyalty to Boise State – turning down big NIL money from Power Five programs – makes you want to root for him even more.

With Boise State securing a playoff spot and potential first-round bye, fans are thinking Jeanty’s got one more chance to make his case. However, it’s important to note that Heisman ballots are due before the playoff starts, so postseason games won’t have any impact.

Dillon Gabriel Heisman Odds

Remember when Gabriel was getting real Heisman buzz? Those +800 odds feel like ages ago. Now he’s at +25000, even after leading Oregon to the Big Ten Championship with four touchdowns through the air against Penn State.

Gabriel’s regular season stats show incredible efficiency. The OU transfer finished with 3,275 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and only six interceptions, while also contributing seven rushing touchdowns.

DILLON GABRIEL AND THE DUCKS ARE READY TO CELEBRATE! pic.twitter.com/UTBjVCRBQO

— CBS Sports College Football (@CBSSportsCFB) December 8, 2024

Penn State’s James Franklin praised Gabriel’s veteran presence, but a rough outing against Wisconsin derailed his momentum at the worst possible time. In that game, Gabriel struggled to connect on mid to deep-range passes and failed to throw a touchdown.

After the conclusion of the regular season, Gabriel’s campaign has simply lost steam. He’s been consistently solid, but he lacks the wow factor of a Hunter or Jeanty. Gabriel could have several hypothetical Heisman moments in the playoffs, but as mentioned before, this is a regular-season award.

The Final Word

The Heisman finalists get announced Monday, December 9th, but this feels like a done deal. Hunter’s two-way brilliance has overshadowed everything else – Jeanty’s assault on the record books, Gabriel’s steady leadership, all of it.

When they hand out the trophy in New York on December 14th, expect Hunter to join college football’s most exclusive club. The way he’s dominated both sides of the ball this season, he’s earned every bit of it.

The post Final 2024 Heisman Odds: Travis Hunter on Top as Regular Season Ends appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The SEC Championship Game is giving us a rematch we’ve all been waiting for, as No. 5 Georgia (10-2) clashes with No. 2 Texas (11-1) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Both teams have changed since Georgia’s 30-15 win in Austin back in October – the Bulldogs have shown some cracks, while Texas has reeled off five straight wins. With a playoff bye on the line, the implications couldn’t be greater.

Here is our UGA vs Texas prediction for Saturday’s SEC Championship Game.

Georgia vs Texas Prediction

Look, that first meeting told us a lot. Georgia physically dominated Texas in the trenches on their way to that 30-15 road upset. The Bulldogs’ defense made life miserable for the Longhorns, who mustered just 259 total yards and an abysmal 29 on the ground.

The reality is, while Texas has been rolling lately, there are still legitimate questions about their offensive line holding up against elite defensive fronts like Georgia’s. I’ve been really impressed with how the Bulldogs’ defensive line has rounded into championship form lately, averaging three sacks over their last three games.

On the offensive side, Carson Beck seems to have figured things out after those midseason turnover issues. The junior has been dealing lately, tossing 11 touchdowns without a single pick in his last three games. He’ll look again to target Domini Lovett, who caught five passes for 47 yards and two TDs last week vs GA Tech.

Carson Beck is ready to make his mark in the SEC Championship Game!

Beck told @DjShockley3 earlier this week: “I want my own (SEC Championship).” pic.twitter.com/bjJzBp7alF

— Sudu (@sudu_tv) December 7, 2024

The ground game looks potent too, with freshman sensation Nate Frazier (587 rush yds, 8 TD) stepping up due to Trevor Etienne being injured. The latest Etinee injury update is that the star RB is questionable to play with a rib injury. That would be massive for UGA if he can go, as Etienne found paydirt three times in the first meeting.

Let’s be honest – playing this game in Atlanta is huge for Georgia. The crowd will be heavily pro-Bulldogs, and this team knows Mercedes-Benz Stadium like the back of their hand after playing here the last three seasons.

While Texas definitely has the talent to pull this off, I’m rolling with the battle-tested Bulldogs as 3-point underdogs. Kirby Smart’s defensive scheme and Georgia’s ability to control both lines of scrimmage should be the difference. Expect another rough day for Ewers against that relentless pass rush.

• Prediction: Georgia +3

Before rushing to bet Texas as field-goal favorites ATS, consider that the favorite is 25-6 straight-up in the SEC Championship Game, but just 14-16-1 against the spread.

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Updated Georgia vs Texas Odds

There’s been some interesting line movement since this one opened. Texas started as 1.5-point favorites at -115, but sharp money pushed it up to -3 before some Georgia buyback brought it down to Texas -2.5. It’s gone back up to -3 at the time of publishing.

Here are the latest odds for the SEC Championship Game:

The total has increased slightly from their first meeting’s 45 combined points. It’s worth noting both teams have been trending under lately, with Texas going under in 6 of their last 8. That contradicts a trend of the “over” going 16-5 in the last 21 SEC Championship Games.

Check out our full college football odds page for the latest title game lines and totals.

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Odds updated 1pm ET on December 7, at ESPN Sportsbook.

Georgia vs Texas Player Props

The UGA vs Texas player props show Texas running back Quintrevion Wisner with the best odds to score a TD at -175, which is 63.6% implied probability.

My Best UGA-Tex Prop Bet

One player prop I absolutely love here is Nate Frazier to score a touchdown at -145 odds on BetMGM. The freshman has been an absolute revelation, finding paydirt in five straight games while getting at least 11 carries in each contest.

Nate Frazier will be a dog coming into his sophomore season pic.twitter.com/SWeI7pCH2G

— Coach T (@TheRealRashaud) November 14, 2024

Sure, Texas has been stout against the run overall, giving up just 3 yards per carry. But here’s what catches my eye – they’ve shown some vulnerability in the red zone, with eight of their nine rushing touchdowns allowed coming inside the 20.

The way Georgia’s offense has been clicking lately, Frazier should get his chances near the goal line. Even if the sledding gets tough inside, he’s shown he can break one from distance. At -145, there’s solid value backing a back who’s been money in the end zone lately.

• Our Pick: Nate Frazier anytime TD (-145 at BetMGM )

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Final UGA vs Texas Prediction

I’m riding with Georgia +3 to take down Texas and claim the SEC crown. The Bulldogs’ championship DNA, combined with their defensive prowess and that Atlanta crowd advantage, should be enough to neutralize the Longhorns’ explosive offense.

Watch for Georgia’s front seven to make Ewers uncomfortable all game while their ground attack controls the clock. Back the Dawgs getting points and sprinkle on Frazier to score for a winning championship weekend ticket.

The post Expert Georgia vs Texas Prediction, Latest Odds & Player Props – SEC Championship appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Do you people want some honesty? I hope so because I’m about to say the truest stuff of all time. I’ve been piss-poor all season long in College Football. Maybe worse than piss-poor. I know what you’re going to say, “but Slop, you’ve demolished every other sport you’ve written about for SBD. My kids have a future because of you.” That may be true, but it doesn’t change the fact that we’re down roughly four units on the season in College Football. We can’t have that.

I can’t say it any better than Crowded House in the smash hit, “Don’t Dream It’s Over”. “There’s a battle ahead, many battles are lost, but you’ll never see the end of the road, while you’re traveling with me. Hey now, hey now, don’t dream it’s over”. Now, that means a lot of things to a lot of people, but for me, it’s about gambling. And the fact that we have a battle ahead of us this Saturday. And if we play our cards right, we could turn this season into a profitable one. My plan is to find one banger from the Penn State/Oregon matchup and another banger from the Clemson/SMU game. Feels easy.

This could easily be the most important Saturday of our lives.

Championship Saturday College Football Odds

All odds as of Dec. 7 from ESPNBet & FanDuel. Claim the FanDuel promo code to sign up and tail our picks. 

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Drew Allar Is An Animal

We’re not looking for a good bet this weekend. We’re looking for the greatest bet of all time. Maybe better. Lucky for us, I may have uncovered such a bet. It involves the Penn State Nittany Lions and Oregon Ducks. But we’re skipping teams here and going straight to the players.

Not just any player, though, but Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. The guy could legit play in the NFL. It says so right in this tweet.

You do not know ball if you watch Drew Allar play and say that he is not an NFL QB. pic.twitter.com/rKEq1J6boA

— Zach Seyko (@zach_seyko) November 30, 2024

This could easily be the greatest bet we ever make. On anything. I’m literally going to drive to Connecticut to make this bet since we can’t bet College Football player props in Massachusetts. It’s that good.

The thing with Drew is that he could easily be a 300+ guy, but Penn State’s defense is just too good. Combine that with the fact that Penn State has only really seen high school offenses, and we have the perfect storm. We’re talking paradise here.

This Saturday, the Nittany Lions are taking on the Oregon Ducks, who are likely to hang some points. When that happens, our guy Drew is going to get loose. We saw this same situation with Will Howard when he went 325+ on the Ducks. It’s just one of those things. This is the easiest money we’ll ever make gambling.

(If you can’t do NCAAF Player Props, just take the Penn State Team Total Over 22.5. That’s hitting, too.)

The Pick: Drew Allar 225+ Passing Yards (+158) – FanDuel

Kevin Jennings Is A Man Amongst Boys

SMU has been a great story all season long. Now, all that fun is culminating into a trip to Charlotte to play for the ACC Championship on Saturday. Still, even with all he’s done, their quarterback, Kevin Jennings, is still not getting the respect he deserves. Not in my opinion, at least.

We’re talking about an undefeated quarterback here, people. Have some respect.

SMU is undefeated with kevin jennings as starter, got it?

— Peruna (@iheartsports5) December 3, 2024

Here’s the thing about our guy Kevin. The kid would have so many more passing yards if his defense wasn’t so good. Look it up. This SMU defense just shuts everyone down. Kevin is out there doing his thing, then all of the sudden, his coach makes him stop laying the pipe because they’re up so much. It happens almost every week, and it’s disgusting.

Now, many people would look at that as a negative, but not us. We’re smarter than that. We’ve just been waiting for the right opponent, and guess what? Our wait is over. Kevin is getting the Clemson Tigers, which is perfect for all of us Kevin-a-maniacs.

Clemson is just good enough on offense to push SMU for four quarters. That’s great for Kevin because his passing yards number is 250+ for even money. This kid has done that in seven of his last eight games. The only time he didn’t was last week when he went for 225 in three quarters. He’ll probably have this in the first half. Maybe sooner.

(If you can’t do NCAAF Player Props, just take the SMU Team Total Over 28.5. That’s hitting, too.)

• • The Pick: Kevin Jennings 250+ Passing Yards (+100) – FanDuel
  • 2024 NCAAF SBD Release Results – 9-15 (-4.62 Units)

The post College Football Picks Today: Best Bets for Conference Championships appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Championship weekend brings us three conference title games where the trends heavily favor the chalk. My CFB parlay for Saturday features Arizona State looking to complete their remarkable turnaround against Iowa State, SMU aiming for ACC glory against Clemson, and Oregon trying to secure a playoff spot against Penn State.

Here’s a look at the odds and picks for our conference championship college football parlay:

College Football Championship Parlay Odds

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All college football parlay odds as of December 7 at bet365. Check out our bet365 Review for more betting options.

Championship Weekend College Football Parlay

Let’s break down why these three favorites deserve spots in our CFB championship parlay. Combining these picks with bet365’s 5% boost gives us tasty +404 odds.

Iowa State vs Arizona State (Big 12 Championship)

Starting off our college football parlay, Arizona State looks to cap their incredible turnaround after going 3-9 last season. The Sun Devils enter scorching hot with five straight wins and covers, sporting the nation’s second-best ATS record at 10-2.

Speaking of trends, the favorite has won 12 straight neutral-site Big XII title games. That bodes well for Arizona State, who’s been bullying teams with a ground game that ranks 22nd in EPA per Rush. They’re facing an Iowa State defense allowing a brutal 174 rushing yards per game at five yards a pop.

A lot of talent on Iowa State but one interesting nugget: Its run defense ranks 99th in the country

— Paola Boivin (@PaolaBoivin) December 1, 2024

Sure, Iowa State coach Matt Campbell has typically been money as an underdog (36-23-3 ATS), but Arizona State’s defense brings 14 picks and 45 pass breakups to the party. That spells trouble for a Cyclones passing attack that’s relied heavily on it’s .

The Sun Devils have been lighting up scoreboards early, dropping 25.3 first-half points during their current streak. When you’re averaging those kinds of numbers and bringing a top-5 pass defense to a title game, the -120 price tag looks mighty generous.

• Parlay Pick: Arizona State ML (-120)

SMU vs Clemson (ACC Championship)

The middle leg of our CFB parlay features SMU in their ACC Championship debut. The Mustangs gallop in having won nine straight while covering seven of those games. Even better – they’re a perfect 4-0 ATS this season as a small favorite.

Here’s a juicy trend – the favorite has won 12 straight ACC title games, covering seven in a row. While Clemson’s won their last seven appearances, this isn’t your older brother’s Tigers defense. They’re getting gashed for 4.58 yards per carry and looked lost against mobile QBs recently.

Kevin Jennings, you are ridiculous.#PonyUpDallas pic.twitter.com/qK2fpS2pZS

— SMU Football (@SMUFB) November 23, 2024

Enter SMU’s offensive machine that’s putting up 40.7 points per game behind Brashard Smith’s video game-like 6.9 yards per carry. The Mustangs’ diverse attack should give Clemson’s struggling defense fits all night.

Seven of Clemson’s last eight against FBS competition have stayed under, but SMU’s offensive firepower makes them worth backing at this price. When you’re averaging north of 40 points and facing a defense that can’t stop the run, that’s a recipe for cashing tickets.

• Parlay Pick: SMU ML (-140)

Oregon vs Penn State (Big Ten Championship)

Wrapping up our championship parlay is Oregon against James Franklin’s Penn State squad. Speaking of Franklin, his record against elite competition is downright ugly – 1-13 vs top-5 teams, 3-17 vs top-10, and 13-25 vs ranked opponents.

The Ducks’ offense has been a machine, ranking 14th nationally with 277.6 passing yards per game. QB Dillon Gabriel’s been dealing, throwing for 3,275 yards with a tidy 24-6 TD-INT ratio. They’ve dropped 35+ points in five of their last six games.

A year ago, Dillon Gabriel was wondering where he'd spend his final season of eligibility.

Now, he's hours away from opening the nation's No. 1 team's postseason run.@BTNJourney profiles the star QB's seamless transition with @oregonfootball

@AutoOwnersIns pic.twitter.com/YZpHkAby7w

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) December 7, 2024

Don’t sleep on Oregon’s defense either. They’re allowing just 16.2 points per game while their pass rush duo has racked up 19 sacks. Penn State’s shown particular weakness against zone-read concepts – exactly what Oregon’s offense feasts on.

The stakes couldn’t be higher with Oregon eyeing their first-ever 13-0 season and potential #1 playoff seed. Franklin’s big-game struggles combined with the Ducks’ two-way dominance make them a solid parlay closer.

• Parlay Pick: Oregon ML (-165)

Championship Weekend Parlay: Arizona State, SMU & Oregon (+404)

The post Expert College Football Parlay for Conference Championship Weekend (+405 Odds) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

A surprising Big 12 Championship showdown features #16 Iowa State (10-2) against #15 Arizona State (10-2) on Saturday at AT&T Stadium. Both teams went 7-2 in conference play, setting up this crucial playoff-implications matchup.

Vegas sees Arizona State as a slight 1.5-point favorite with a 50.5 total at most sportsbooks. The Sun Devils have shocked everyone after being picked to finish 16th in the conference, orchestrating one of college football’s most surprising turnarounds under second-year head coach Kenny Dillingham.

Meanwhile, Matt Campbell’s Cyclones are hunting for their first-ever conference title in his seventh season at the helm.

Iowa State vs Arizona State Prediction

The Sun Devils are riding high on a five-game winning streak, capped off by last week’s 49-7 demolition of rival Arizona. They’ve found their offensive groove lately, putting up 28+ points in four of their last five games.

ASU took a tough blow against Arizona though, losing star receiver Jordyn Tyson to a season-ending collarbone injury. The talented wideout had racked up 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 TDs this year.

With Tyson out, ASU will lean heavily on workhorse back Cam Skattebo (1,398 rush yards, 17 TDs) to carry the load. The versatile runner has also been a weapon in the passing game, snagging 35 catches for 468 yards and two scores.

Cam Skattebo gave a powerful halftime speech to his teammates during the BYU game.

This man is a leader and would look great in an Arizona Cardinals uniform next season.

Must watch!
pic.twitter.com/8rQ3biGQCd

— Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) November 27, 2024

The Cyclones have bounced back nicely from back-to-back November losses to Texas Tech and Kansas, rattling off three straight wins including a clutch 29-21 victory over Kansas State to punch their ticket to Arlington.

Iowa State’s passing attack has been giving defenses fits all year, with QB Rocco Becht (3,021 pass yards, 20 TDs) slinging it to his dynamic duo of 1,000-yard receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.

The problem for the Cyclones? A leaky run defense that ranks 112th nationally (173.7 yards allowed/game) and second-worst in the Big 12. They got gashed for 237 rushing yards in that Kansas loss – not a great sign with Skattebo coming to town.

The betting trends favor ASU, who sport a sparkling 10-2 mark against the spread this season – second-best in the country. They’ve covered five straight, beating the number by an average of 14.2 points. Iowa State sits at a more modest 7-5 ATS.

Look for Arizona State’s potent ground game (195.0 yards/game) to control the clock and keep Becht watching from the sideline. Their revamped defense matches up well against Iowa State’s passing attack too.

Watch for Skattebo to have a field day on the fast track at Jerry World as the Sun Devils complete their remarkable run and book their ticket to the CFP.

Big 12 Championship Picks:

• Arizona State -1.5 (-115)
• Under 50.5 (-110)

Iowa State vs Arizona State Odds

The Sun Devils opened as 1-point chalk before sharp money pushed them up to -1.5. The total is holding steady at 50.5.

The current -1.5 spread suggests bookmakers give ASU about a 53.5% chance to cover and win outright. On the moneyline, Arizona State sits at -120 (54.5% implied probability) with Iowa State at even money (+100).

The line movement toward ASU shows how much respect they’ve earned from bettors lately. They’ve been crushing the spread during their 5-0 ATS run, covering by an average of 9.1 points during this stretch,

The Sun Devils have also been lighting up the scoreboard lately, with four of their last five games going over. But sharp money suggests this title game could be more of a grinder. The public is hammering the “over” in the CFB public betting trends, yet the line isn’t budging.

The under is definitely worth a look here – Iowa State’s last four games have all stayed under 50.5 points.

ISU vs ASU Head to Head History

These programs will meet for the first time Saturday, adding another layer of intrigue to the matchup.

The Cyclones are still chasing their first conference crown since 1912, with their only other Big 12 title game appearance ending in a 27-21 loss to Oklahoma back in 2020.

The Sun Devils haven’t won a conference title since sharing the Pac-10 crown with USC in 1996. Their last shot at one ended with a 38-14 loss to Stanford in the 2013 Pac-12 Championship.

Forks up! ASU fans are in Texas, ready to see the Sun Devils take on the Iowa State Cyclones in the Big 12 Championship game tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/1E89G7Rlkx

— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) December 7, 2024

While there’s no history between these teams, ASU’s impressive road wins over ranked Oklahoma State and Kansas State bode well for their chances at a neutral site.

The Sun Devils have been giant killers this year, going 3-0 against ranked teams. Iowa State’s been more up-and-down versus the AP Top 25, sitting at 1-1.

The Cyclones took down #23 Kansas State last week but dropped a tight 23-22 decision to #13 Texas Tech at home in early November.

The post Iowa State vs Arizona State Prediction, Pick & Odds – Big 12 Championship appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

The winner of the Sun Belt will be crowned when the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (10-2, 7-1 Sun Belt) battle the Marshall Thundering Herd (9-3, 7-1 Sun Belt) in the conference championship. Oddsmakers like the Ragin’ Cajuns on their home field in the latest College Football odds.

Marshall vs Louisiana Odds

The visiting Thundering Herd are 5.5-point road underdogs, with a total between these high-powered offenses set at 58 points.

The College Football public betting trends skew heavily to Louisiana, with 86% of the betting public taking them on the moneyline with 93% of the money.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm ET at Cajun Field, in Lafayette, LA, with ESPN providing the broadcast coverage.

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Ragin’ Cajuns Solid on Both Sides of Ball

Louisiana enters with eight wins in its last nine games, with six of those wins by at least 10 points, including last week’s 37-23 drubbing of UL Monroe.

The Ragin’ Cajuns rank 15th in scoring offense in the nation, piling up 35.6 points per game.

They do much of their damage in the passing game, averaging 265.7 yards per contest, second in the Sun Belt, with 22 TD passes.

The Senior Day Special

https://t.co/rVB996gCr8#cULture | #GeauxCajuns pic.twitter.com/jUxQgUSMZx

— Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns® Football (@RaginCajunsFB) November 23, 2024

They haven’t skipped a beat since Chandler Fields took over at QB for an injured Ben Wooldridge (collarbone). Over the last three games, he’s thrown for 793 yards, five TD’s and just one interception.

He’s fortunate to lean on a rush attack that churns out 1908.7 yards per game, and a defense that allows just 22.8 points per game, the second-best total in the conference.

Herd Thundering into Lafayette

Marshall enters the contest having won six straight games, hitting the 30-point plateau in all but one of them.

Last time out, they needed double overtime to outlast James Madison 35-33, giving Marshall three straight road wins heading into the conference championship.

Marshall boasts a Top 5 scoring offense that rings up 31.9 points per game, paced by a rushing attack that produces 200.4 yards — they’re one of only three teams in the Sun Belt to rush for better than 200 yards per game.

B1 would not be denied pic.twitter.com/nfs2dCvheO

— Marshall Football (@HerdFB) December 1, 2024

Their passing game might be considered a weak point, but it’s more like the finishing touch to that battering-ram run game. While they only produce 180.1 yards per game through the air, Marshall’s 25 TD passes are the third most in the conference.

The Thundering Herd also have a Top-4 scoring defense in the Sun Belt, and their passing D surrenders less than 200 yards per contest, also ranking inside the Top 4.

Marshall vs Louisiana Prediction

These are two teams that mirror each other in many ways, with strong offenses, capable defenses and impressive seasons that landed them here.

Louisiana is 4-2 at home this season, but they have are just 2-4-0 against the spread. While Fields has filled in admirably, he’s stepping up to a Marshall squad playing its best ball, and are among the the top cover teams in the nation.

The Thundering Herd are 8-1-1 ATS, and are 5-0-1 ATS on the road this season.

If the Ragin’ Cajuns do claim the school’s first-ever Sun Belt Conference Championship, I think it will be well earned in a tight one.

• Marshall vs Louisiana Pick: Marshall +5.5 (-105)

The post Marshall vs Louisiana Odds, Spread & Prediction – Sun Belt Championship Game appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

A spot in the College Football Playoff is on the line Saturday, as #17 Clemson (9-3, 7-1 ACC) takes on #8 SMU (11-0, 8-0 ACC) in the ACC Championship Game. There’s an outside shot both teams could be among the final 12 standing even if the Tigers win, but the Mustangs can’t afford to take that chance.

SMU ran through their ACC schedule undefeated, and online sportsbooks are expecting yet another win based on the latest College Football odds.

Clemson vs SMU Odds

The Mustangs are currently favored by 2.5-points, in a contest with a total of 55.5. This line touched -3 briefly, before sharp money drove it back down, and it appears professionals still like the Clemson side at +2.5.

Per the College Football public betting trends, the Tigers are drawing 52% of the spread handle, but only 40% of the wagers. Typically, when handle outweighs the tickets by a significant margin it’s a product of sharp action, and it’s not hard to see why the pros are leaning Clemson.

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Kickoff is scheduled for 8pm ET at Bank of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC, with ABC providing the broadcast coverage.

Odds as of December 6 at 1:00 pm ET. Be sure to check out the best sportsbook promotions before placing a bet on any College Football matchup this week.

The Case for Clemson

For starters, while this is supposed to be a neutral site game, it’s essentially in the Tigers backyard. Charlotte is two hours away from the Clemson campus, compared to over 1000 miles away from SMU. The crowd will be littered with rowdy Tigers fans, turning this contest into a defacto Clemson home game.

Next, is the experience factor. This is the Tigers 10th Conference Championship Game since 2008, and seventh since 2015. They’re 8-1 straight up in those contests, winning eight in a row.

This will be only the second time they’re an underdog in the championship contest, with the previous time coming in 2011. That year they faced Virginia Tech as 7-point ‘dogs, and won outright 38-10.

As for the product on the field this year, Clemson has advantages on both sides. On defense, the Tigers enter play ranked 20th per SP+. They’re 12th in turnovers forced and 21st in INT rate. That spells trouble for SMU, who has a major giveaway problem.

The Mustangs rank 80th in turnover percentage and 53rd in INT rate. After starting the season with just one interception in his first six appearances, Kevin Jennings has thrown six picks in his last six starts.

Offensively, Clemson brings a balanced attack to the table, led by QB Cade Klubnik. The preseason Heisman Trophy odds candidate had a career-high 29 TD passes this season, while adding nearly 300 yards on designed runs.

Cade Klubnik this year

2761 Passing yards
251 PYG
29 Passing TD’s
4 INT
5 Rushing TD’s

2026 QB1. pic.twitter.com/8Mlw47xCQW

— Lando Scott (@LandosHotTakes) November 30, 2024

Klubnik, the MVP of the 2022 ACC Champion team, has double the amount of big time throws compared to turnover worthy plays. That poses problems for an SMU secondary that ranks 48th in defending contested catches.

Clemson vs SMU Prediction

That’s not to say there aren’t things to like about SMU. The Mustangs have scored at least 33 points in eight of their past nine games.

As good as the Clemson defense is, they are prone to giving up big plays. The Tigers rank 117th in yards allowed on successful plays, meaning when they do give up yards its in bunches. SMU’s has plenty of explosive elements to it, gaining 20-plus yards on over 8% of their snaps.

Both teams are likely to find some success on offense, which explains the high total. However, when you factor in SMU’s turnover woes, Clemson’s defacto home field advantage and their experience, the Tigers are the side to play.

Everybody wants Clemson to win now to just keep bama out… pic.twitter.com/KQ9Xg2GdmV

— PePe (@CLEMSONPEPE) December 4, 2024

Also working in Clemson’s favor is a slew of positive trends. They’re 7-2 against the spread in Conference Championship Games, winning each of their last four appearances by at least 29 points.

They’ve played 33 games at a neutral site under Dabo Swinney, winning 21 of them and covering in 20. As underdogs at a neutral site, they’re 9-3 ATS, covering the number by 11.8 points per game.

• Clemson vs SMU Pick: Clemson +2.5 (-110)

The post Clemson vs SMU Prediction, Odds & Best Bets – ACC Championship Game 2024 appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

A first-round bye is on the line as Penn State and Oregon battle for the Big Ten Championship. The winner of the Big Ten will be the one or two-seed in the CFP bracket. The loser will likely be the five-seed and host a home playoff game. Kickoff for this highly-anticipated matchup is scheduled for 8 pm ET at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

With this being Oregon’s first season in the conference, these two programs have not played much. This will be just the fifth time these teams have played and the first since the Rose Bowl in 1995 where Penn State won 38-20. The Nittany Lions lead the all-time series 3-1.

See below for the latest Penn State vs Oregon odds and my picks and prediction for the 2024 Big Ten Championship.

Penn State vs Oregon Odds

The college football odds list #1 Oregon as a 3.5-point favorite over Penn State. This line has not moved since opening. The O/U is set at 50.5 but was 49.5 earlier in the week.

Odds as of Friday, December 6 at BetMGM. Claim the best BetMGM promo code before placing your Penn State vs Oregon bets.

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Penn State Betting Trends

Penn State is playing with house money in this game. No one expected them to be here, but since Michigan upset Ohio State last week, the Nittany Lions now have a shot at the Big Ten title.

The 11-1 Nittany Lions have a 6-6 record against the spread, but they have covered in four of their last six games. The big story in this game for Penn State is whether or not James Franklin can finally win a big game. Franklin is 1-13  straight up in his career against top-five teams. He has also not done great as an underdog as he is 0-9 SU and 2-7 against the spread in those games.

Still, this Penn State team is talented and has a real shot in this game with their defense. The Nittany Lions are the fourth-ranked defense in college football. They are sixth in the country and second in the Big Ten in scoring defense, allowing just 14 points per game, and they are also fourth in the conference in total sacks. In order to be Big Ten champions, the Nittany Lion defense will need to come to play against Oregon’s explosive offense.

Lucas Oil Stadium is looking a bit different #B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/S3pNwy5dTg

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) December 6, 2024

Unlike some Penn State teams in the past, it is not all about the defense. They still are not flashy, but they average 5 yards per carry and quarterback Drew Allar completes 71% of his passes. Tight end Tyler Warren is as reliable as they come when it comes to catching the ball. They control the time of possession and do not turn the ball over. That method has led them to fourth in the Big Ten in scoring with 33.3 points per game.

Oregon Betting Trends

In their first year in the conference, the Oregon Ducks ran the table in the Big Ten to make it to the championship game. Oregon has been the #1 team in the country for five weeks now and just continue to rattle off wins. Their biggest victory of the season was a 32-31 thriller against Ohio State in October.

Oregon has covered the spread in six of their 12 games, but they are 5-2 ATS in their last seven. They are known for their explosive offense with Dillon Gabriel and Tez Johnson, but their defense has also been elite. The Ducks allow just 283.8 yards and 16.2 points per game. On offense, the Ducks average 35.2 points and have scored 35 points or more in five of their last six games.

Unlike James Franklin, Dan Lanning has won some big games, but he did lose to Washington twice last season, once in the Pac 12 Championship game. This game will be the toughest test Oregon has faced this season as they have to travel for this one.

Big Ten Championship Prediction

The Big Ten Championship has a chance to be the game of the weekend. Even though both teams are locked into a College Football Playoff spot, this game is still meaningful for both programs.

Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton is averaging over six yards per carry, and the weak spot of this Oregon defense is their ability to stop the run. They allow 112 rushing yards per game and are in the middle of the Big Ten in rush defense. The Nittany Lions have a good shot at controlling this game up front like they want to do.

They are also fifth in the Big Ten in rushing defense, so Oregon will have a difficult time moving the ball on the ground. This will open up their ability to generate pressure on Dillon Gabriel, and that is the recipe Penn State needs to follow in order to become Big Ten champions.

Oregon’s offense does have an explosiveness factor that Penn State’s offense does not, so this game could potentially open up with a big play or two. However, I am trusting this Penn State defense. Outside of Ohio State, the Ducks have not played many teams of Penn State’s caliber. They also have to travel all the way from Eugene to Indianapolis.

It is a little worrisome backing James Franklin in this spot, but I am betting on the team playing with house money getting over a field goal with a travel advantage. Points should be at a premium with these two defenses, so I also like getting points with the better run game. Give me Penn State to cover the spread on Saturday.

Penn State vs Oregon Pick: Penn State +3.5 (-110)

The post Penn State vs Oregon Prediction, Pick & Odds – Big Ten Championship appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

On Saturday, December 7, 2024, college football fans get one more taste of the MAC-tion. Next up, the Ohio Bobcats take on the Miami (OH) RedHawks to get the day rolling. It is one of the two opening games in the Noon ET time slot.

This game brings us two teams worthy of a conference champion. However, only one can emerge victorious. Both Ohio and Miami (OH) roll in with identical 7-1 conference records.

The Miami (OH) RedHawks are favored by 2 points to win the MAC title game, with the over/under set at 44 points, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. The game will be televised on ESPN, and the kickoff will be scheduled promptly for High Noon.

Ohio vs Miami (OH) Prediction

Miami (OH) started the season at 1-4 with losses to Notre Dame and Toledo, to name a few. Then, the RedHawks turned everything around by winning seven straight games. Miami (OH) went 5-2 ATS during this streak with a huge cover against Ohio at home.

If that was not enough, the RedHawks were 2.5-point underdogs to Bowling Green and naturally won by 16 going away on the road. That cemented Miami (OH)’s spot in the conference championship game.

One of the big keys for the RedHawks is the running of Keyon Mozee. Mozee does not get a ton of touches. However, he averages 6.6 yards per carry. It feels like he could break one at any time. In the first meeting between Ohio and Miami (OH), Mozee ran 16 times for 111 yards and a touchdown.

.@Keyon_Mozee and the RedHawks have Ford Field in their sights… @MiamiOHFootball | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/t784t6LPz9

— #MACtion (@MACSports) November 29, 2024

The Miami (OH) offense plays pretty steady as Brett Gabbert has improved from the start of the season. His ability to bounce back from risks helps the sixth-year Senior immensely. Even throwing two interceptions against Bowling Green, Gabbert tossed three touchdowns in the 28-12 victory.

More Matchup Problems For Ohio

Now, this game features more matchup problems for Ohio. Cade McDonald and Jayon Tracy combine for almost 1,350 yards rcceiving. Tracy leads the RedHawks with seven touchdowns. Both players average between 13 and 15 yards a catch and have the ability to get open short, intermediate, or deep. Each one found the endzone in the first meeting.

The RedHawks won a big road game lats week behind, you guessed it, McDonald and Tracy both finding pay dirt. Here are the highlights.

The only concern for Miami (OH) is those Gabbert mistakes. Predictably, their defense has been excellent during this streak while allowing a mere 12.4 points per game. Ohio was fortunate to get 20 in the first game.

I’m predicting a Miami (OH) cover and victory. This may not be by a rout, but the RedHawks will take the conference championship.

Ohio-Miami (OH) Pick:

• Miami (OH) -2 (-110)

Ohio vs Miami (OH) Spread

College football Conference Championship odds are here for Ohio vs Miami (OH) and more, as Conference Championship Saturday begins again at Noon ET.

Watch For Alternate Spreads And Totals

Yes, Miami (OH) could score around 30 points again. The Ohio Bobcats need to establish their short-passing and running games early. If the RedHawks defense neutralizes targets early, Ohio could be playing from behind. Add in the risk with Parker Navarro (10 TD, 10 INT, but 13 rushing touchdowns). Navarro tends to put the ball on the ground and the RedHawks defense knows it.

Ohio vs Miami (OH) Odds

Miami (OH) is favored by 2 points with -122 moneyline odds, implying a 54.5% win probability for the RedHawks. Ohio is only a +102 underdogs, representing a 49.5% chance to win, per the oddsmakers. 84% of the money is on Miami (OH) to cover on Saturday.

The total is set at 44 points, with some -108 value for the under. This comes down to can Ohio score enough points to stay close and hope for RedHawks mistakes.

Odds as of December 5, 2024, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Browse the best College Football betting app for Ohio-Miami (OH).

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Some notable line movement: During the week, the spread moved around from the 1.5 to 2.5-point range. The spread money figures to start moving back toward Miami (OH) before Saturday afternoon.

Ohio vs Miami (OH) Head to Head

The programs have met 100 times in their history, with the last four results going as follows:

• Oct 19, 2024: Miami (OH) 30, Ohio 20
• Oct 28, 2023: Miami (OH) 30, Ohio 16
• Nov 8, 2022: Ohio 37, Miami (OH) 21
• Nov 2, 2021: Ohio 35, Miami (OH) 33

The last two meetings have seen Miami (OH) win by 10+ points each time. Yes, the RedHawks could dominate this matchup again. If the Ohio defense does not cause turnovers, Miami (OH) could run away with this conference championship.

Honestly, this is what Miami (OH) truly wanted. Even at a neutral site (Ford Field in Detroit), the RedHawks carry an advantage on Saturday in a big spot.

The post Ohio vs Miami (OH) Prediction, Preview & Betting Line – MAC Championship appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

It’s conference championship time, and Friday night brings us two games that should have bettors’ full attention. Army aims to upset Tulane in the AAC Championship, while Boise State looks to defend their Mountain West crown against UNLV.

Both games have me eyeing some serious betting value, with Army’s dominant ground game presenting problems for Tulane and Boise State’s momentum suggesting they could roll at home.

Let’s break down Friday’s conference championship schedule and dive into our expert predictions for tonight’s action.

Friday Conference Championship Odds

Odds as of Dec. 6 from ESPN Sportsbook. Bet $10 and get $100 with our ESPN Bet promo code.

In the Friday conference championship odds, Army has shortened to a 5-point underdog against Tulane after being listed at 5.5. Meanwhile, Boise State is favored by 4 points at home against UNLV in a rematch of their October thriller.

Let’s analyze our conference championship predictions for these games offering serious betting value.

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Army vs Tulane Prediction

I’m really liking Army in this spot. The Black Knights aren’t just bringing any rushing attack to West Point – they’re bringing the nation’s best ground game (312.5 YPG) into a cold-weather matchup that sets up perfectly for their style. They’ve won eight straight conference games and are battle-tested after recently facing Notre Dame and UTSA.

The betting market seems to agree with me here, as this line has dropped from Tulane -5.5 to -5. That movement suggests sharp money sees value on the home underdog, and the metrics back that up.

Almost time pic.twitter.com/BwTIMzOSqy

— Army Football (@ArmyWP_Football) December 6, 2024

Army leads the AAC in scoring defense (15.1 PPG) and their methodical offensive approach could frustrate a Tulane team that struggled with tempo control in their recent loss to SMU.

History favors service academies in these spots, too, as Army is 19-9 ATS as an underdog since 2020. Meanwhile, the “under” in CFB conference title games is 7-3 when temps are below freezing. The cold weather and Army’s ball-control style should keep this close throughout.

I’m taking the points here – Army’s style is built for December football at West Point.

• Pick: Army +5 (-110 at ESPN Bet)

Boise State vs UNLV Prediction

Switching gears to our nightcap in Boise, I love the Broncos to cover. They aren’t just riding momentum – they’ve been absolutely rolling with 10 straight wins. Star running back Ashton Jeanty has been unstoppable, leading the nation with 2,288 rushing yards and positioning himself for potential Heisman consideration with another big performance.

While UNLV kept things close in their October meeting (29-24 Boise win), the rematch being on the blue turf is significant. The Broncos are 4-1 ATS in their last five Friday night home games, and quarterback Maddux Madsen has been nearly perfect on blue turf with just two picks.

The metrics favor Boise State as well. Their offensive line ranks top-10 nationally in several key metrics. UNLV’s defense, meanwhile, has shown cracks lately, ranking just 40th in the FBS in play-action coverage grade. The Rebels truly struggle to defend mobile quarterbacks, which plays right into Madsen’s dual-threat capabilities.

Between Boise’s championship experience and Jeanty’s dominance, I’m confidently laying the points with the Broncos as they punch their ticket to the expanded playoff.

• Pick: Boise State -4 (-110 at ESPN Bet)

The post Friday College Football Picks – Expert Predictions for Dec. 6 appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

College Football Conference Championship Saturday is upon us. There’s nothing better than good ol’ fashioned conference football to wrap up the regular season. With so much realignment over the past few seasons, football fans will be overjoyed to see a number of top-tier matchups.

Conference Championship Saturday includes #16 Iowa State vs #15 Arizona State for the Big 12 Championship, #5 Georgia with a rematch against #2 Texas in the SEC Championship, #17 Clemson taking on upstarts SMU for the ACC Championship, and #3 Penn State vs #1 Oregon in the Big 10 Championship game.

Find our best college football Conference Championship player prop bets below.

 College Football Conference Championship Player Props

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck’s passing yardage prop is set at 244.5 for their SEC Championship rematch with Texas. The Bulldogs are 2.5-point underdogs in the latest CFB odds. Penn State tight end Tyler Warren’s receiving yardage prop sits at 68.5 yards.

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Odds as of Dec. 5 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Explore the best betting apps for CFB Conference Championship player props.

Quinn Ewers Passing Yards

Steve Sarkisian has stressed that quarterback Quinn Ewers continues to play through his ankle injury. He made it through rivalry week against Texas A&M, but he’s clearly operating at less than 100%.

Ewers has failed to hit his conference championship player prop number of 233.5 yards in each of his past three games. In fact, he’s averaged under 200 passing yards per game and failed to his this number since a November 9th romp over Florida. Moreover, he’s attempted 32 passes or fewer in each of the past four games, while averaging just 7.9  yards per attempt in that time.

Yikes Quinn Ewers looked like he was afraid to get hit and flipped a pick 6 into the flats pic.twitter.com/cl9snBZFrt

— Austin Stanley (@AustinStanley81) December 1, 2024

With Ewers limited mobility, and left tackle Kelvin Bank Jr. also banged up, expect to see Georgia’s pass rush tee off. While this isn’t the Georgia defense of old, the Bulldogs’ secondary remains an elite unit.

Ultimately, Steve Sarkisian will need to protect his ailing quarterback and utilize the short passing game to dissect the Georgia defense. Back Quinn Ewers conference championship player prop under with confidence.

Pick: Quinn Ewers under 233.5 passing yards (-114)

Antonio Williams Receiving Yards

Clemson wideout Antonio Williams has blossomed into a top option this season. He’s racked up 66 receptions for 788 yards and 10 touchdowns already. Crucially, he’s averaged 11.9 yards per reception and has been a constant outlet for quarterback Cade Klubnik.

Williams has hauled in a gargantuan 26 receptions over this last three games. He’ll thrive against an SMU defense, allowing 240 passing yards per game. SMU loves to push the pace on offense, and that will feed into this bet.

Let’s get the ball in Antonio Williams hands all 4 quarters Saturday night.

0 is making himself some money this year pic.twitter.com/jg6vnVF2af

— PePe (@CLEMSONPEPE) December 5, 2024

Additionally, the Clemson offense has become far more pass-happy of late, with Klubnik attempting at least 34 passes in his past five games against ACC opponents.

With a total of 55.5 points in the ACC Championship game, there will be fireworks in Clemson vs SMU. Williams will be the recipient of plenty of targets; expect him to clear this 61.5 receiving yards prop line with ease.

Pick: Antonio Williams over 61.5 receiving yards (-114)

The post College Football Player Props – Best Bets for Conference Championship Saturday (Dec. 7) appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

Conference Championship Friday brings us three exciting college football matchups with major implications. I’ve found a three-team parlay at +435 odds that could make your weekend even better. Our college football parlay combines picks from the Conference USA, American Athletic Conference, and Mountain West championship games.

We’re backing Jacksonville State to claim their first CUSA title, while taking the under in what should be a defensive battle between Army and Tulane. To complete the ticket, we’re riding Boise State’s star running back Ashton Jeanty to continue his historic season against UNLV.

Here’s a breakdown of our conference championship parlay odds and picks, with detailed analysis below.

College Football Conference Championship Parlay Odds

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All CFB parlay odds as of December 6 at DraftKings Sportsbook.

Our CFB conference championship parlay pays out at +435 odds, meaning a successful $100 wager would return $435. I break down each individual parlay selection further below.

Jacksonville State vs Western Kentucky (CUSA Championship)

Jacksonville State enters their first Conference USA Championship game looking for revenge after dropping last week’s regular-season finale to Western Kentucky. The Gamecocks have one of the nation’s most explosive rushing attacks, piling up 257.4 yards per game – good for third in the country.

The home-field advantage at AmFirst Stadium can’t be overlooked, where they’re 5-0 this season. The Gamecocks have owned conference play with a 12-1 record in their last 13 matchups. Their high-tempo offense is putting up 35.4 points per game, ranking 18th nationally and consistently wearing down opposing defenses.

The status of quarterback Tyler Huff remains uncertain after he tweaked his ankle last week. But JSU’s shown they can adapt, and Logan Smothers is ready to step in. Even with Huff limited last week, they still averaged 5.3 yards per carry, proving they can move the ball effectively on the ground.

Rich Rodriguez’s squad likely kept some plays in their back pocket during last week’s regular-season finale. With temperatures dropping into the low 30s, their run-heavy approach should work perfectly in the cold conditions. The betting markets see it, too, instilling Jacksonville State a 4.5-point favorite at home.

• Parlay Pick: Jacksonville State ML (-192)

Tulane vs Army (AAC Championship)

The frigid conditions expected at Michie Stadium point heavily toward the under. Temperatures are dropping into the low 20s with winds between 9-16 mph, creating serious challenges for both offenses.

Tulane’s passing attack, coming from the warm climate of New Orleans, could struggle most in these arctic conditions. It’s the kind of weather that forces conservative play-calling and makes every throw a challenge.

IT'S CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WEEK

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— The American (@American_Conf) December 3, 2024

Army’s triple-option offense is built to control the clock. At 35:30 per game, it leads the nation in time of possession. The Black Knights have been dominant at home, going 5-0 against FBS opponents while giving up just 16 points per game. Their ground game has been unstoppable, churning out 312 yards per game at an impressive 5.7 yards per carry.

These defenses have been lights out all season. Army’s giving up just 15.1 points per game (4th nationally), while Tulane’s allowing 18.4 (15th nationally). Army’s defense, led by All-AAC safety Max DiDomenico, has been especially tough at home. Tulane’s defense isn’t far behind, holding teams to a 31.8% conversion rate on third downs.

Sharp money has already pushed this total down from 48.5 to 45.5, telling us the pros see a defensive battle coming. Tulane’s recent struggles against Memphis, where they gave up 236 rushing yards, suggest they might have trouble with Army’s ground attack. The Green Wave has also shown a pattern—their last four games after hitting an over have averaged just 40.3 points.

• Parlay Pick: Under 45.5 (-108)

Ashton Jeanty Rush Yards (Mountain West Championship)

Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty isn’t just having a good season – he’s having a historic one. He’s leading the nation with 2,288 yards and 28 touchdowns, sitting fifth on the FBS all-time single-season rushing list. He’s just 341 yards away from breaking Barry Sanders’ legendary record. The sophomore’s averaging an incredible 190.7 yards per game.

UNLV managed to contain him in their first meeting, holding him to 128 yards on 33 carries. But Jeanty has shown all season that he can figure out defenses the second time around. His latest showcase was a 226-yard explosion against Oregon State.

Ashton Jeanty vs. Oregon State:

• 37 carries
• 226 yards
• 1 TD

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— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 29, 2024

The Broncos’ coaching staff, led by offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, keeps feeding their star back, consistently giving him 30+ carries.

The stakes for Jeanty couldn’t be bigger – he’s got Heisman buzz building, and the Broncos still have an outside shot at the College Football Playoff. He’s playing with supreme confidence, recently calling himself “the best player in the nation.” When the lights have been brightest, he’s delivered, topping 175 yards six times this season.

The 40-degree forecast actually plays into Jeanty’s power running style, and Boise State had time to study how UNLV defended him last time. His explosive ability – including a 77-yard run this season – plus his consistency (7.3 yards per carry) make the over 174.5 rushing yards a strong play.

• Parlay Pick: Jeanty Over 174.5 Rush Yards (-120)

Conference Championship Parlay: Jacksonville State ML, Under 45.5 Tulane/Army & Jeanty 175+ Rush Yards (+436)

The post Best College Football Parlay for Friday’s Conference Championships appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.