A Way-Too-Early Look at 2023 NCAAF Championship Odds

The 2022 college football season came to an end last week with one of the biggest routs on the sport’s biggest stage. The NCAAF odds heavily favored the University of Georgia, and the Bulldogs responded by rolling TCU in the championship game 65-7, earning their second straight national title. Georgia became the first program in the CFP era to win back-to-back titles, and the first school to win two in a row since Alabama did so in 2011 and 2012. 

Despite the rare nature of a three-peat in college football, Georgia finds itself atop the early 2023 NCAAF odds boards. College football futures listed the Bulldogs among the favorites heading into the 2022 season, but left TCU off the board altogether. So, while some of these favorites might make a run to the Natty, don’t underestimate the underdogs. 

One of the bigger betting questions heading into the 2023 NCAAF season from an odds perspective is, has there ever been a three-peat in college football? The answer to that question is yes, but it hasn’t been done since the 1930s, when the Minnesota Golden Gophers won three in a row from 1934 to 1936. 

Despite that fact, college football championship odds list Georgia as the clear betting favorite. DraftKings provides the shortest odds for the Bulldogs at +275, while FanDuel and BetMGM both list +300 for a UGA three-peat. 

The Bulldogs will lose a ton of talent to the NFL once again, but Georgia sports one of the deepest rosters in the nation and has another highly touted recruiting class on deck. They’ll need to replace quarterback Stetson Bennett, but either five-star Brock Vandagriff or four-star Carson Beck should find plenty of success. The Dawgs also have bluechip recruits to supplement defensive standouts.

The Crimson Tide finished the 2022 season outside the CFP bracket, rare for Alabama. But Nick Saban responded by netting the nation’s top-rated recruiting class for 2023. Although ‘Bama will lose a ton of talent to the NFL, including quarterback Bryce Young, the 2021 Heisman winner, and linebacker Will Anderson, a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, the Crimson Tide have stars waiting in the wings. 

Ty Simpson will likely assume the role as starting quarterback. However, he could get pushed by 2022 backup Jalen Milroe for that job. Replacing Anderson in the middle of the defense will be Dallas Turner. And he’ll be flanked by at least 10 five-star players. 

The Buckeyes made the CFP field this year despite a tough loss to Michigan late in the season. Then, Ohio State nearly derailed Georgia’s playoff train. OSU held a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter against the eventual champs. The Buckeyes won the first CFP championship (2014), but have gone just 1-4 in playoff games since then. 

Despite that, Ohio State rightly stands among the favorites in the 2023 NCAAF odds because of the returning talent. Although the Buckeyes are losing quarterback C.J. Stroud to the NFL, Ohio State’s offense sees Marvin Harrison Jr., Cade Stover, and Myan Williams coming back. Five-start prospect Kyle McCord stands ready to assume the quarterbacking duties. 

The 2023 NCAAF championship odds board features a number of teams flying under the radar this offseason. Among those are perennial contenders like Clemson (+1400) and LSU (+1800). But one program needs to be considered ahead of those in national title sleeper conversations, the USC Trojans. 

The Trojans made a run toward the CFP bracket last year. But a late season loss to Utah short-circuited those championship hopes. That said, the 2023 team looks like it could be USC’s first title winner since 2004. Despite a tough loss to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl, with +1400 odds at DraftKings, the Trojans could been a good sleeper bet for next season. 

USC sees Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams return for 2023. He’ll led one of the nation’s top offense attacks with eyes on improving his stock for the 2024 NFL draft. While most of the Trojans struggles came on defense last year, USC already shored up that side of the ball with transfers who will be ready to contribute. 

The Florida State Seminoles finished the 2022 season with a 10-3 record. That included impressive wins over program rivals, the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators. Although the ‘Noles dropped a key mid-season contest to Clemson, which kept them from an ACC title, Florida State looks poised to make a serious run at what would be their first national title since 2014. 

The ‘Noles dispatched the Oklahoma Sooners in the Cheez-It Bowl last year. FSU expects stars like quarterback Jordan Travis, receiver Johnny Wilson, and pass rusher Jared Verse to all take the next step next season. Florida State eyes an ACC title now that the conference did away with its division alignment. It also sees a key early season contest with LSU. BetMGM lists the ‘Noles at +2500, making them a solid longshot among 2023 NCAAF championship odds.