Published on: December 31, 2024, 11:20h.
Last updated on: December 31, 2024, 11:20h.
Tonight, the College Football Playoff (CFP) action continues in Phoenix with the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl featuring No. 3 Boise State against No. 6 Penn State at State Farm Stadium. Betting odds favor Texas at +300 to win the National Championship as the quarterfinals begin.
The remaining eight teams in the CFP race for the National Championship include Texas, Penn State, Boise State, Oregon, Georgia, Arizona State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State.
Texas, with a 12-2 record in the SEC, is heavily favored to beat Big 12 champion Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. BetMGM gives the Longhorns a 12.5-point advantage at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Peach Bowl starts at 1 pm EST tomorrow.
Bettors see Texas as a strong contender, especially with a potentially easier path to the semifinals against Ohio State or Georgia without Carson Beck. This makes Texas a popular choice for bettors looking at the National Championship.
BetMGM reports that around 10% of bets and over 13% of the total money is on Texas to win. Ohio State leads with 13% of bets and 16% of money. Despite Ohio State’s position, BetMGM believes Texas is a smart choice with slightly better odds at +350.
Oregon follows at +450, with Georgia and Penn State at +525, Notre Dame at +650, and Arizona State and Boise State at +6600.
Big Ten, SEC Predictions
Boise State, Arizona State, Oregon, and Georgia secured CFP first-round byes for winning their conference championships. Many believe the byes given to Boise and ASU, winners of the Mountain West and Big 12 respectively, were unjust compared to the stronger Big Ten and SEC.
The CFP may revise its 12-team ranking system for next year, with the top four teams receiving byes instead of automatic byes for conference champions. For this year, Boise and Arizona State present favorable paths to the semifinals for Texas and Penn State.
In the quarterfinal opener tonight, Penn State is favored by 11 points. BetMGM tells Casino.org that 62% of bets are on PSU.
In the Rose Bowl, Ohio State seeks redemption as a 2.5-point favorite against Oregon, whom they lost to in October. BetMGM reports that 66% of bets are on Ohio State. The Rose Bowl starts tomorrow at 5 pm EST in Pasadena.
The Sugar Bowl tomorrow night features Notre Dame against Georgia, with the Bulldogs favored by 1.5 points. BetMGM reports that 61% of bets are on Georgia, despite Gunner Stockton starting at QB instead of the injured Beck.
Boise’s Jeanty Key
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty finished second in this year’s Heisman race. Jeanty ran for nearly 2,500 yards with an average of 7.3 yards per carry and 29 touchdowns, adding a receiving TD for a total of 30 touchdowns.
Jeanty faces a tough challenge tonight against the Penn State defense, led by Abdul Carter, a top NFL Draft prospect, which has been strong this season, allowing just 15.9 points and 280 yards per game.
Despite Jeanty’s impressive performance this season, BetMGM has set his rushing yards over/under at 131.5 for tonight. He is still expected to score a touchdown at -250.