The 2023-24 college football season has now seen two sets of CFP rankings issued. With only three regular-season games remaining before the Conference Championships get underway, we’re taking a hard look at how the rankings stack up against the CFP odds.
CFP Top 10 Rankings
- Ohio State 9-0
- Georgia 9-0
- Michigan 9-0
- Florida State 9-0
- Washington 9-0
- Oregon 8-1
- Texas 8-1
- Alabama 8-1
- Mississippi 8-1
- Penn State 8-1
The above rankings and current playoff odds are compared weekly here at FBL. CFP Brackets based on standings and betting odds are a great way of identifying what oddsmakers are suggesting in regard to who will win each playoff game.
Here is our take on each of the top-ranked CFP programs.
The Florida State Seminoles
The FSU Seminoles are currently ranked fourth and are also the number four team in the odds for betting on the College Football Playoffs. They appear poised to finish their regular-season run without a loss, but will that be enough to make it to the Playoffs in the eyes of the Selection Committee?
Florida State’s strength of schedule is weaker than any of the other top teams. Due to other outstanding head-to-head circumstances, a 12-0 finish by FSU should place them as the fourth overall team heading into the postseason.
Remaining Schedule For FSU: Miami, North Alabama, Florida, ACC Championship Game
The Ohio State Buckeyes
The Big Ten is in the final season where the conference will be split into north and south divisions. Because divisional play is still active, whoever loses the Michigan-Ohio State game will finish with one loss, while the other should have no time winning the Big Ten Championship Game.
That scenario could place both the Wolverines and the Buckeyes in the CFP, where they could meet again for the whole ball of wax.
Remaining Schedule For Ohio State: Michigan State, Minnesota, #3 Michigan, Big Ten Championship Game
The Michigan Wolverines
The toughest remaining schedule of any top team is held by the Wolverines. They’ve got two highly-ranked opponents over the next three weeks, but as described above, they can probably still make it into the final four with a single loss.
They’ve got a tough test against the Penn State Nittany Lions on the road this Saturday. Michigan is favored by four points and could lock up a CFP berth with the win.
Michigan (#3) vs. Penn State (#10)
- Point Spread: Michigan -4.0, Penn State +4.0
- Moneyline: Michigan -185, Penn State +160
- Over/Under: 45.0
Remaining Schedule For Michigan: #9 Penn State, Maryland, #3 Ohio State, Big Ten Championship Game
The Georgia Bulldogs
The two-time defending national champions are expected to win the SEC once again and try for a three-peat. Three of their four remaining contests will be against teams ranked 15th or higher. The Dogs can likely suffer a loss and still make it into the playoffs, but that could mean the inclusion of an additional SEC team.
Remaining Schedule For Georgia: #10 Mississippi, #15 Tennessee, Georgia Tech, SEC Championship Game
The Washington Huskies
The Huskies are hoping that one of the top teams slips up and loses a game between now and the first weekend of December. Yes, Washington will need to win all of their remaining games – no easy feat – and their best shot at getting into the CFP is a loss by the Seminoles. The committee will have a tough time deciding between FSU and Washington should both teams finish undefeated.
Remaining Schedule For Washington: #13 Utah, #12 Oregon State, Washington State, Pac-12 Championship Game
The Alabama Crimson Tide
Enthusiasts of College Football betting are likely tired of seeing Alabama in the CFP National Championship Game, but they are four wins away from taking another crack with head coach Nick Saban. If Alabama wins the SEC, they’ll certainly be among the final four CFP programs and will cause the ouster of another deserving team.
Remaining Schedule For Alabama: Kentucky, Chattanooga, Auburn, SEC Championship Game