Steve Starr
- BetOnline favors Alabama (+260) to win their seventh national championship under Nick Saban
- Clemson (+425), Oklahoma (+600), Georgia (+650) and Ohio State (+675) round out the top five
- The 2021 college football season is set to begin on Saturday, August 28
While a surprise team could sneak into the College Football Playoff, it’s a near certainty that Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, Georgia or Ohio State will capture the National Championship at year’s end. That’s just how it works in college football, where Cinderella stories are relegated to bowl games and/or blown out by a SEC team at some point in the season.
With “Week Zero” just over three weeks away, let’s look at the odds to win the 2022 NCAAF championship next January, and be sure to check out our tips for betting on college football games.
2022 NCAAF Championship Odds
 |
|
| Alabama | +260 |
| Clemson | +450 |
| Oklahoma | +600 |
| Georgia | +650 |
| Ohio State | +675 |
| Iowa State | +2500 |
| Texas A&M | +2500 |
| LSU | +2800 |
| Texas | +2800 |
| Florida | +2800 |
| Oregon | +5000 |
| Miami (FL) | +5000 |
| North Carolina | +5000 |
| USC | +5000 |
| Wisconsin | +5000 |
| Notre Dame | +6600 |
| Penn State | +8000 |
Alabama restocks the cupboard
Nick Saban has won seven national titles as a head coach so it’s somewhat shocking Alabama (+260) has never won back-to-back championships since the inception of the college football playoff, only achieving the feat once during his tenure (2011, 2012). To repeat this year, the Crimson Tide must overcome the departures of a record-tying six first-round NFL Draft picks, including Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, Najee Harris and Mac Jones, as well as offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian.
But that’s easier said than done when you’re constantly restocking the cupboard with five-star recruits such as sophomore quarterback Bryce Young, who will be under a ton of pressure in Tuscaloosa this season.
Bryce Young hasn't even started a game for Alabama, but he's already cashing in on NIL deals 💰 https://t.co/JpXgphLJmL
(via @AlexS_ESPN) pic.twitter.com/piELahKzEp
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 29, 2021
Clemson (+450) also graduated two program legends, No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars but appear to have able replacements in dual-threat QB D.J. Uiagalelei and five-star freshman running back Will Shipley.
While the Tigers will have no problem winning the ACC for the sixth-straight year, the question is whether they can win their third championship in six seasons under Dabo Swinney or if they’ll get blown-out in the playoff for the third-consecutive time?
Rounding out the top five
Last season marked the first time in four years that Oklahoma (+600) did not play in CFP Semifinal, however, expectations are high for Heisman candidate Spencer Rattler in Lincoln Riley’s perennially high-powered offense. The Sooners will return 11 starters on a defense that has been on the rise under coordinator Alex Grinch, finishing in the top 10 nationally in sacks, third-down defense and run defense in 2021.
Georgia (+650) always seems to underwhelm, but if JT Daniels’ late-season heroics weren’t a mirage, the Bulldogs should return playoff for the first time since 2017.
The board of regents in Texas and Oklahoma unanimously voted to accept the SEC's invitation to join the conference after their current contract with the Big 12 ends. https://t.co/EpeiD7WAqN
— ESPN (@espn) July 30, 2021
Expected to take a step back without Justin Fields, Ohio State (+675) will still put up plenty of points thanks to the offensive wizardry of Ryan Day and one of the most talented wide receiver groups in the country.
Otherwise, don’t dare talk yourself into a longshot bet on Iowa State (+2500), Texas A&M (+2500) or LSU (+2800). Miracles don’t happen in college football.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
