National Championship Game: Can Georgia Three-Peat? Oddsmakers Seem to Think So.

College football is still a few months from kicking off, but it’s never too early to start looking ahead to next season’s national championship game in Houston. Barring a surprise, perennial contenders Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and Michigan all figure to be in the conversation, along with a few other familiar suspects.

But who’s truly the favorite? And why? For a better idea, we break down some early national championship odds.

THE FAVORITES

Georgia Bulldogs (+225)

Kirby Smart’s got it rolling. The two-time defending national champions are once again the favorites going into 2023-24. Quarterback Stetson Bennett departed, as did a few prominent starters on defense, including defensive tackle Jalen Carter and linebacker Nolan Smith. However, the Bulldogs‘ roster is still overflowing with talent.

Carson Beck, Bennett’s probable replacement, is a +1800 pick to win the Heisman Trophy. Tight-end Brock Bowers looks like a future first-round draft pick.

Alabama Crimson Tide (+550)

Nick Saban dipped into the transfer portal to find Bryce Young’s replacement, landing former Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner. Alabama also brought in Buchner’s former offensive coordinator, Tommy Rees. Five-star freshman Justice Haynes could be next in a long line of game-breaking tailbacks to suit up for the Crimson Tide.

Ohio State Buckeyes (+600)

Sure, C.J. Stroud is gone, but the Buckeyes shouldn’t have much trouble finding a suitable replacement for the star quarterback. It could be Kyle McCord, who took the majority of snaps in the spring while Devin Brown was sidelined with a finger injury.

Jaxson Smith-Njigba departed, but the Buckeyes remain loaded at receiver. At +2500, Marvin Harrison Jr. has the best Heisman odds of any non-quarterback.

Michigan Wolverines (+900)

Jim Harbaugh seems to have finally figured out how to beat rival Ohio State. The next order of business is finding a way back to the national championship game. It won’t be easy, especially with the likes of Georgia, Alabama, and, of course, the Buckeyes in the way. But the Wolverines have certainly come close, as back-to-back appearances in the College Football Playoff would attest.

Much is riding on quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who was impressive in the national semifinal against TCU (20-of-34, 343 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT).

THE CONTENDERS

USC Trojans (+1400)

The Trojans may go as far as Caleb Williams can take them. The dual-threat quarterback is a +500 favorite to win another Heisman Trophy and a good bet to go first overall in next year’s NFL Draft. He’s a model fit with Lincoln Riley’s up-tempo offense.

The question, as is usually the case with Riley’s teams, is whether USC can play enough defense to win big.

LSU Tigers (+1600)

LSU made a quick turnaround under Brian Kelly, winning 10 games and destroying Purdue 63-7 in the Citrus Bowl. The Tigers beat Alabama along the way, but a November loss to a bad Texas A&M team proved there’s still work to be done.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels is a dynamic talent, but is he capable of beating Georgia?

Clemson Tigers (+1800)

Clemson won 11 games last year but missed the College Football Playoff back-to-back seasons for the first time since the format began in 2014. That begs the question, has Dabo Swinney lost his proverbial fastball?

Probably not, but the Tigers will be a fascinating watch. Former TCU offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, the 2022 Broyles Award winner as the nation’s top assistant, was brought aboard to help unearth quarterback Cade Klubnik’s potential.

Games against Florida State (Sept. 23) and Notre Dame (Nov. 4) on the college football schedule will help decide Clemson’s fate.

Florida State Seminoles (+1800)

It’s all about Jordan Travis. If the dual-threat quarterback is as good, if not better, than last season, the Seminoles will be in the conversation for the College Football Playoff. Outside of Williams, nobody has better Heisman odds than Travis (+1100).

THE LONGSHOTS

Penn State Nittany Lions (+2500)

The Nittany Lions should be strong again offensively, led by tailbacks Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. But as always, the question will be whether they can get past Michigan and Ohio State.

Texas Longhorns (+2500)

With star running back Bijan Robinson off to the NFL, there’s enormous pressure on quarterback Quinn Ewers, a +1800 Heisman pick, to elevate the offense. Oddsmakers are obviously bullish on his potential.

TCU Horned Frogs (+10000)

TCU was blown out 65-7 in last year’s national championship game. Quarterback Max Duggan and wide receiver Quentin Johnson both left, as did Riley. Getting back won’t be easy.

For college football lines, betting analysis, and more, visit pointspreads.com

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

• Sun Belt Regular Season Win Totals: Troy Vying for Repeat
• 2023 College Football Transfer Portal: Spotlight on All-Transfer Team
• PAC-12 Teams Win Totals: Oregon Will be Hunting Trojans for Win Title
• SEC Teams Win Totals: Georgia, Alabama With Lofty Numbers
• JJ McCarthy Stats: Michigan Quarterback in the Spotlight