NCAAF · 1 year ago

Ranking the Toughest Paths to a CFP National Championship

Zack Cook

Host · Writer

Check out The Smylie Show on SportsGrid
1. Tennessee Volunteers
As good as this Tennessee team is, having to go through Ohio State, Oregon, and mostly likely Texas to just get to the national title game is an incredibly difficult path.

National Championship Odds: +2500

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Just like Tennessee, the Buckeyes face the exact same path toward a national title. With Ohio State being favored and having the more talented roster, they sit slightly behind Tennessee.

National Championship Odds: +500
3. Indiana Hoosiers
We're still waiting for a signature victory from the Hoosiers. In order to win the national title, they'll have to go through Notre Dame, Georgia, and likely Penn State. That doesn't even factor in which team is waiting for them on the other side of the bracket.

National Championship Odds: +4000
4. Clemson Tigers
If the Tigers manage to get by a difficult task in Texas, they'll have a hungry Arizona State team waiting for them. In addition, the Tigers will have also have to take down one of Tennessee, Ohio State, or Oregon to get to the national title game. Whoever they'd face off with wouldn't be a cake walk, either.

National Championship Odds: +6000
5. Arizona State Sun Devils
Even with a first-round bye, the Sun Devils will have to go through the winner of Texas-Clemson, and one of Oregon, Ohio State, or Tennessee to even see the championship game. Whether it's Georgia, Notre Dame, Penn State waiting for them, those are all difficult matchups for Arizona State.

National Championship Odds: +5500
6. Oregon Ducks
Despite being the top seed in the bracket, the draw isn't exactly kind for Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks. Playing the winner of Ohio State-Tennessee and following that up with a likely clash against Texas is difficult. That doesn't even factor in the other side of the bracket and their eventual opponent.

National Championship Odds: +350
Download the SportsGrid App
Stay Ahead of the Game and Elevate Your Sports Betting Experience with SportsGrid. Download the SportsGrid App from the Apple Store and Google Play Store.
7. Texas Longhorns
This side of the bracket is simply harder, even if Texas got the best possible outcome. Getting by Clemson and Arizona State shouldn't be an issue, but colliding with Oregon, Ohio State, or Tennessee certainly could be. In addition, their kryptonite might be waiting for them on the other side of the bracket in Georgia.

National Championship Odds: +360
8. SMU Mustangs
Getting by Penn State, Boise State, and then likely one of Notre Dame or Georgia won't be easy for SMU. Add on that whichever team comes from the other side of the bracket will almost assuredly be big favorites in a national championship matchup.

National Championship Odds: +4000
9. Boise State Broncos
The Boise State Broncos might have a first-round bye, but they won't have an easy path toward a national title. Going through SMU or Penn State, followed by Georgia, Indiana, or Notre Dame is difficult. In addition, whichever team represents the other side of the bracket should be a challenging matchup on paper.

National Championship Odds: +6000
10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
There's a lot to like about how the bracket lines up for Notre Dame. Getting through Indiana won't be easy, but there's the Fighting Irish are favorites. Georgia has struggled against rushing quarterbacks this year, and Notre Dame has that. It's pretty clear that Notre Dame drew favorably, but it'll be on them to make a run and prove it.

National Championship Odds: +700
11. Penn State Nittany Lions
There's a ton to like about the path for the Penn State Nittany Lions to win a national championship. Going through SMU and Boise State is great on paper. It's time for James Franklin to make a run at the big one. This is as good of a shot as he'll have with this program.

National Championship Odds: +550
12. Georgia Bulldogs
Starting with a first-round bye after winning the SEC and being on the more favorable side of the bracket is good news for the Georgia Bulldogs. This team has largely showed up in big spots this season, which bodes well for their prospects. Although Notre Dame or Indiana present challenges, this side of the bracket pretty clearly runs through the Bulldogs. Whether they win their third national title in four years remains to be seen.

National Championship Odds: +500

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Check out The Smylie Show on SportsGrid
1. Tennessee Volunteers
As good as this Tennessee team is, having to go through Ohio State, Oregon, and mostly likely Texas to just get to the national title game is an incredibly difficult path.

National Championship Odds: +2500

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter.

Ranking the Toughest Paths to a CFP National Championship

EDITOR'S PICKS

For the Best of SportsGrid, Grab the App

BETTING NEWS

FUTURES

Sports Betting

Sportsbook Promos

Social Casinos