NCAAF · 1 year ago

Ranking the Easiest Paths to a CFP Championship

Grant White

Host · Writer

1. Georgia Bulldogs
National Championship Odds: +500

The Georgia Bulldogs lucked out. By virtue of their SEC win, they locked into the second seed in the CFP bracket. Like the Longhorns, Georgia should expect to be favorites in both playoff games. They will be hefty favorites against Notre Dame or Indiana, and the Fiesta Bowl winner poses little threat to their championship aspirations.

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12. Clemson Tigers
National Championship Odds: +6000

The Clemson Tigers face a seemingly insurmountable climb to this year's National Championship. Clemson barely snuck into the College Football Playoff, needing a guaranteed spot that came with its ACC Championship. Still, they are the lowest-ranked playoff team, needing to get past the Texas Longhorns, Arizona State Sun Devils, and then a juggernaut from the Rose Bowl. Getting into the playoffs was their championship.

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11. SMU Mustangs
National Championship Odds: +4000

The CFP Committee was eager to install the SMU Mustangs as the 11th seed, prioritizing the ACC runner-ups over the perennial powerhouse Alabama Crimson Tide. While the committee would love to be proved right, it's unlikely the Mustangs will put up a fight against the Penn State Nittany Lions, let alone make a run to the National Championship Game.
10. Indiana Hoosiers
National Championship Odds: +4000

The Indiana Hoosiers cried foul by being relegated to a road game in the first round of the CFP. Still, home-field advantage in their first playoff game wouldn't have made their trek to the National Championship Game any easier. Indiana had the second-lowest strength of schedule of any playoff team and was humbled by the Ohio State Buckeyes in Week 13. Expect a similar result against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
9. Tennessee Volunteers
National Championship Odds: +2500

The Tennessee Volunteers were knocked off their stride by a couple of inferior opponents this season. As such, it's tough to have any confidence in their ability to get out of the opening round, let alone make it to the National Championship.
8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
National Championship Odds: +700

The betting market has installed the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as -7.5 home chalk versus the Volunteers in the opening round, but that's about as easy as it gets for the blue blood program. From there, they would travel to the Sugar Bowl to take on the Georgia Bulldogs in what would feel like an away game. Subsequently, the Fighting Irish face another stiff test against the Fiesta Bowl winner. If Notre Dame makes a run to the final, there may be no stopping the Fighting Irish from winning it all.
7. Ohio State Buckeyes
National Championship Odds: +500

No team has a bigger chip on their shoulder than the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes got in their own way before the end of the regular season, and they'll pay for it in the playoffs. While they're favorites in the first round, the Oregon Ducks await them in Round 2. From there, they will likely need to beat the Texas Longhorns to get into the National Championship. The opening round will probably be the only time Ohio State is favored.

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6. Penn State Nittany Lions
National Championship Odds: +550

Victory won't come easily for any team in the playoffs, but the Penn State Nittany Lions have a relatively unobstructed path to the National Championship. Their journey consists of games versus the ACC runner-ups, a Group of Five team, and then the winner of the Sugar Bowl. Penn State's National Championship aspirations are alive and well.
5. Arizona State Sun Devils
National Championship Odds: +6000

While the Arizona State Sun Devils only need two wins to reach the National Championship, they won't come easily. Their playoff bracket would likely consist of knocking off two of the top five teams, putting the Sun Devils at a sincere disadvantage.
4. Boise State Broncos
National Championship Odds: +6000

Their odds don't reflect it, but the Boise State Broncos have positioned themselves as a legitimate contender. They await the winner of the Penn State Nittany Lions and SMU Mustangs before taking on the winner of the Sugar Bowl. Bettors have discounted the Broncos' chances all season, but their only loss was a narrow defeat at the hands of the undefeated Oregon Ducks. Boise State could have a few surprises up its sleeves.
3. Texas Longhorns
National Championship Odds: +360

The Texas Longhorns need three wins to reach the National Championship, putting them at a slight disadvantage relative to the two front-runners. Nevertheless, the Longhorns have very winnable matchups in the first two rounds and could pull off the upset in the semifinals.
2. Oregon Ducks
National Championship Odds: +350

The Oregon Ducks may be the odds-on favorite to win this year's National Championship, but they have a challenging path to the final. Oregon will face the winner of the No. 8 vs. No. 9 seed game and then likely walk into the semifinals against the Texas Longhorns. The betting odds are in the Ducks' favor.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
National Championship Odds: +500

The Georgia Bulldogs lucked out. By virtue of their SEC win, they locked into the second seed in the CFP bracket. Like the Longhorns, Georgia should expect to be favorites in both playoff games. They will be hefty favorites against Notre Dame or Indiana, and the Fiesta Bowl winner poses little threat to their championship aspirations.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
12. Clemson Tigers
National Championship Odds: +6000

The Clemson Tigers face a seemingly insurmountable climb to this year's National Championship. Clemson barely snuck into the College Football Playoff, needing a guaranteed spot that came with its ACC Championship. Still, they are the lowest-ranked playoff team, needing to get past the Texas Longhorns, Arizona State Sun Devils, and then a juggernaut from the Rose Bowl. Getting into the playoffs was their championship.

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