CFB conference champion odds: Who's favored to win the major leagues?
Conference realignment has knocked out the Pac-12 (now just the Pac-2) from the major conference conversation. There are now only four major conferences: the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC. Let's dive into each and give our picks to win the leagues.
SEC champion odds
| Team | Odds | Win total |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | +185 | 10.5 |
| Texas | +350 | 10.5 |
| Alabama | +700 | 9.5 |
| Ole Miss | +700 | 9.5 |
| LSU | +1000 | 9.5 |
| Tennessee | +1400 | 8.5 |
| Texas A&M | +1400 | 8.5 |
| Missouri | +1800 | 9.5 |
| Oklahoma | +3500 | 7.5 |
| Auburn | +6000 | 7.5 |
| Kentucky | +7500 | 6.5 |
| Florida | +15000 | 4.5 |
| South Carolina | +15000 | 5.5 |
| Arkansas | +20000 | 4.5 |
| Mississippi State | +40000 | 4.5 |
| Vanderbilt | +50000 | 2.5 |
Georgia's reign as SEC and national champs ended last season when Alabama defeated the Bulldogs in the SEC championship. But Nick Saban is gone, creating questions about the Crimson Tide's chances.
Texas joins the conference from the Big 12 and is already one of the favorites. The Longhorns proved they can battle with the big boys in the SEC by defeating Alabama on the road last season.
Steve Sarkisian's squad has the talent on both sides to compete with anyone in the country. Quinn Ewers' gun-slinging abilities will carry Texas to an SEC championship in its first year as an SEC school.
Georgia is the obvious choice to win the SEC as it reloaded with NFL-level talent and retained a Heisman contender in Carson Beck. However, it's worth taking a chance on Texas at slightly longer odds.
Pick: Texas +350
Big Ten champion odds
| Team | Odds | Win total |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | +150 | 10.5 |
| Oregon | +200 | 10.5 |
| Penn State | +500 | 9.5 |
| Michigan | +850 | 8.5 |
| USC | +2000 | 7.5 |
| Iowa | +4000 | 8.5 |
| Nebraska | +5000 | 7.5 |
| Washington | +7500 | 6.5 |
| Wisconsin | +7500 | 6.5 |
| Rutgers | +10000 | 6.5 |
| Maryland | +20000 | 6.5 |
| UCLA | +20000 | 5.5 |
| Illinois | +30000 | 5.5 |
| Indiana | +30000 | 5.5 |
| Michigan State | +30000 | 4.5 |
| Northwestern | +30000 | 4.5 |
| Minnesota | +30000 | 5.5 |
| Purdue | +30000 | 4.5 |
Before Ohio State head coach Ryan Day had a Jim Harbaugh problem, Harbaugh had an Urban Meyer problem. Harbaugh and Michigan were 0-4 against Meyer's Ohio State. They went 3-1 against Day after Meyer retired in 2018.
Harbaugh's move to the NFL has cleared the way for Day to once again flip the rivalry's script. Defeating Michigan is just one of the Buckeyes' goals, alongside winning a national title with a stacked roster as the second favorite behind Georgia.
Michigan and Washington are expected to plunge after losing their head coaches following a national-title showdown. Penn State's ceiling depends on quarterback Drew Allar, whose inconsistency held the Nittany Lions back in big moments last season.
Oregon should have one of the nation's best offenses with Heisman favorite Dillon Gabriel under center. However, the Ducks must first adjust to the Big Ten's physicality.
Pick: Ohio State +150
Big 12 champion odds
| Team | Odds | Win total |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | +300 | 9.5 |
| Kansas State | +400 | 9.5 |
| Oklahoma State | +750 | 8.5 |
| Kansas | +800 | 8.5 |
| UCF | +800 | 7.5 |
| Iowa State | +900 | 7.5 |
| Arizona | +1200 | 7.5 |
| Texas Tech | +1200 | 7.5 |
| TCU | +1800 | 7.5 |
| West Virginia | +1800 | 6.5 |
| Colorado | +3000 | 5.5 |
| Baylor | +6000 | 5.5 |
| Cincinnati | +6000 | 5.5 |
| Arizona State | +10000 | 4.5 |
| Houston | +10000 | 3.5 |
| BYU | +15000 | 4.5 |
The Big 12 has lost some luster without Texas and Oklahoma, two powerhouses with rabid fan bases. Still, the Big 12 champion will earn a trip to the College Football Playoff.
Utah is the clear favorite and worth a wager at 3-1 odds to capture the title. The Big 12 newbie had success in the Pac-12, winning two of the last three conference titles. Last year was a disappointment because star quarterback Cameron Rising missed the entire season. He's back to pick up where he left off in 2022 as one of the nation's best passers.
Rising's presence immediately bolsters the Utes' chances in a conference with lackluster defenses. Tight end Brant Kuithe and running back Micah Bernard are also back from after injury-ravaged 2023 campaigns. Kansas State and Oklahoma State are worthy contenders, but Utah only plays the latter in the regular season.
Pick: Utah +300
ACC champion odds
| Team | Odds | Win total |
|---|---|---|
| Florida State | +300 | 9.5 |
| Clemson | +360 | 9.5 |
| Miami | +450 | 9.5 |
| NC State | +550 | 8.5 |
| Louisville | +800 | 8.5 |
| Virginia Tech | +1000 | 8.5 |
| SMU | +1200 | 8.5 |
| North Carolina | +3000 | 7.5 |
| Syracuse | +5000 | 7.5 |
| California | +10000 | 5.5 |
| Georgia Tech | +10000 | 4.5 |
| Boston College | +15000 | 4.5 |
| Duke | +15000 | 4.5 |
| Pittsburgh | +15000 | 5.5 |
| Virginia | +20000 | 4.5 |
| Wake Forest | +25000 | 4.5 |
| Stanford | +50000 | 3.5 |
Florida State returns as the favorite after winning the ACC last season. However, the Seminoles have a worse roster, starting with signal-caller DJ Uiagalelei, who replaced Jordan Travis. Uiagalelei has bounced around different schools and never found his footing in a program. He's back in the ACC after starting his career at Clemson.
Clemson's refusal to commit to the transfer portal has cost it in recent years; it lost 10 games over the last three seasons after losing three in the three prior campaigns combined. A Dabo Swinney team littered with underclassmen is unreliable in college football's new age.
Miami's the team to target to win the ACC. Its offense improved significantly from last season, starting with Washington State transfer quarterback Cam Ward. Miami has just one 10-win season in the last 20 years, but that's about to change.
The Hurricanes' schedule is incredibly easy. Their only ranked opponent is Florida State. Miami should be favored in 11 of its 12 games. The Canes have delivered letdown seasons and heartbreaking losses, but this is the roster and year to erase that narrative.
Pick: Miami +450
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.