Steve Starr
- Georgia (-230) is viewed as a lock to make the 2023-24 College Football Playoffs
- Ohio State (-115) and Michigan (+125) are unlikely to both secure spots in the tournament again
- “Week 0” of the college football season kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023
With the College Football Playoffs set to expand to 12 teams starting in 2024, this is the last season with only four spots up for grabs. Two-time reigning national champion Georgia looks like a sure thing to secure a bid – but what other three programs will join the Bulldogs in the four-team tournament?
Before we look at the odds to make the playoffs, be sure to check out our 2023-24 College Football Betting Resources and our tips for betting on the NCAAF National Championship.
2023-24 NCAAF – To Make The Playoffs
| Team | To Make Playoffs |  |
| Alabama | No | -175 |
| Yes | +145 | |
| Clemson | No | -400 |
| Yes | +300 | |
| Florida State | No | -400 |
| Yes | +300 | |
| Georgia | Yes | -230 |
| No | +190 | |
| LSU | No | -600 |
| Yes | +400 | |
| Michigan | No | -155 |
| Yes | +125 | |
| North Carolina | No | -10000 |
| Yes | +2000 | |
| Notre Dame | No | -900 |
| Yes | +550 | |
| Ohio State | No | -115 |
| Yes | -115 | |
| Oklahoma | No | -1400 |
| Yes | +700 | |
| Oregon | No | -900 |
| Yes | +550 | |
| Penn State | No | -600 |
| Yes | +400 | |
| Tennessee | No | -1800 |
| Yes | +900 | |
| Texas A&M | No | -2500 |
| Yes | +1200 | |
| Texas | No | -400 |
| Yes | +300 | |
| USC | No | -325 |
| Yes | +250 | |
| Utah | No | -1800 |
| Yes | +900 | |
| Washington | No | -1000 |
| Yes | +600 | |
| Wisconsin | No | -2000 |
| Yes | +1000 |
The Caleb Williams factor
Before getting crushed by Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game, USC (+250) had a playoff spot in their sights. Not only do the Trojans have Caleb Williams, the expected No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, under center. They have head coach Lincoln Riley, who took Oklahoma to the CFP tournament in four-of-five years between 2016 and 2020.
Heading into year two in Southern California, Riley has firmed up his defense through the transfer portal. With Williams favored to become the first repeat Heisman Trophy winner in almost a half-century, USC should run away with the Pac-10.
Caleb Williams… the next Josh Allen? 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZUO4yFUpiW
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) July 13, 2023
Roll Tide!
Alabama is +145 despite making the College Football Playoff in seven-of-nine years since it replaced the old BCS title game system. That’s more than any other college football program. While Nick Saban’s club missed the tournament last year, they lost two contests against Tennessee and LSU by a combined four points.
If a quality starter emerges from their three-man quarterback competition, the Crimson Tide will roll into the postseason once again.
Fade the Buckeyes
For the first time ever, the College Football Playoff featured two teams from the Big Ten in 2022. So, while Ohio State and Michigan look like national title contenders, it’s unlikely both receive an invite to the dance again. Especially since one team will be coming off a high-profile loss following their end-of-November meeting at the Big House.
After losing eight-straight games in the rivalry, the Wolverines have two blowout victories in a row. Jim Harbaugh also has consistency at quarterback and his most-talented roster yet, while Ryan Day is in year one without C.J. Stroud. We like OSU to miss at -115.
Michigan has not lost to Ohio State since Jim Harbaugh said this in July, 2021.
It has been 1,315 days since the Buckeyes beat the Wolverines. pic.twitter.com/kmA0WoLqgY
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) July 7, 2023
Best Longshot
With Georgia (-230), Alabama (+145) and Michigan (+125) locked in, who will be our fourth-team in the tournament? It probably comes down to Clemson (+300) or Florida State (+300) and the Seminoles have a definitive advantage at quarterback. Jordan Travis is one of the top signal-callers in the country and a legit Heisman contender.
While their schedule isn’t easy, Florida State will have a chance to flex their muscles against two sets of Tigers (LSU and Clemson) in the season’s first month. If they ace those tests, the Seminoles will punch their ticket the CFP for the first time since 2014-15.
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