College Football Championship Odds 2023: Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia Clear Cut Favorites

As a new season prepares to kick off in a couple months, so debates as to what team this season will be raising that national championship trophy.  As people will argue for bragging rights all across the country, I’m here to give you an analytical look at the teams that have the highest odds to win it all across most sportsbooks and why they would be a smart future bet for January.  I’ll also include some longer shot teams that may not be a top 5-10 team, but right on the window and could certainly make a push to make the College Football Playoffs and have their own shot at an underdog tale.  Let’s dive in.

College Football Championship Odds 2023

College Football Odds Favorites

Alabama ()

Does it get lonely at the top?  I’d believe not for Alabama as they yet again top another odds list of being the favorite to win it all.  They are also projected to start the season as preseason Number 1 in rankings.  For good reason as well. After a disappointing loss to Georgia in the national championship last year, many familiar faces will suit up for the Crimson Tide ready to finish the job. 

One of those being last year’s Heisman winner QB Bryce Young. A return of (linebacker) who led college football in sacks last year, will make sure to keep that staunch Bama defense up to its credible reputation. Nick Saban is ready to roll out another plethora of 5-star recruits and athletes to give Alabama another chance to make a run and give Saban his 8th national championship win.

Ohio State ()

Ohio State is another familiar face on the top of the list expected to win the Big Ten and make a run at getting back to the College Football Playoffs to compete for the championship.  Ohio State is returning many offensive weapons that will help them make that push.  QB C.J. Stroud returns and is currently the odds favorite to win the Heisman this season at +250. 

High-caliber receivers in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr. will help this offense be a massive threat this season.  You can only expect after losing the Big Ten for the first time since 2016 to rival Michigan, they will have a lot of fuel coming into this season.

Georgia ()

The reigning national championship winners certainly did take a hit in the NFL draft.   Five players from Georgia’s stout defense went in the 1st round breaking a record for most defensive players drafted from one team in the 1st round.  Expect Georgia to make a return to prominence after winning their 1st championship since 1980 as Kirby Smart has continuously brought a competitive Georgia team to play each of his seasons with the Bulldogs.  The return of QB Stetson Bennett will be sure to keep some stability to a team undergoing position changes.  The SEC East still runs through Georgia.

Clemson ()

There is a bit of an odds jump between Clemson and the top three so for odds purposes, the Tigers would not be a bad place money.  Recent history would say that would not be a smart bet either with Clemson winning two national championships since 2017.  Dabo Swinney has built Clemson into national championship contenders year in and year out, but last year Clemson did find themselves on the outside of the College Football Playoffs and questions have started to rise on how Dabo will be able to adapt to the NIL environment that is about to take precedence in college football. 

Don’t expect that to affect Clemson too much this upcoming season.  They still were able to win 10 games last season, so their “fall” from grace really wasn’t much of a fall.  Maybe just a wake up call that a powerhouse team like the Tigers needed to return to where they need to be.  The big ‘if’ is will be if we see improvement from former 5-star QB D.J. Uiagalelei during his junior season after a shaky sophomore campaign.

Texas A&M ()

Jimbo Fisher has done a great job at building his program with the Aggies since heading to College Station in 2018.  Last year they were able to beat top-ranked Alabama and show their ability to compete with the top of the SEC and expect this year to be no different.  Especially as Texas A&M is coming into the season with the top recruiting class in the nation.  Things are buzzing in College Station with the Aggies and expect them to be a top competitor with Alabama for the claim of the SEC West.

USC ()

Tied in preseason odds with Texas A&M is the USC Trojans and this team will be a very interesting team to watch this year.  All speculation for now as the team did not perform well last year at 4-8 and a coach firing, but this team will have a very different look coming into 2022-23.  The biggest headline is the addition of Oklahoma Head Coach Lincoln Riley who has shown nothing but success during his tenure with the Sooners.  He is not coming alone.  He is bringing along with him former 5-star and potential Heisman candidate Caleb Williams with him who will surely bring a much needed jolt of energy to the Trojan offense.  It would be a quick turnaround in one year to go from mediocre to national title contenders, but if anyone could bring USC back to its winning ways it would be Lincoln Riley.

Long Shot Contenders To Consider

Michigan ()

Jim Harbough was able to win his first Big Ten Championship since becoming Michigan Head Coach in 2015 in what many fans thought was long overdue.  Now the question is can he continue up with that success or was it just a flash in the pan?  The loss of DE Aidan Hutchinson will certainly sting for the Wolverines but I wouldn’t expect them to fall too far and will most certainly be a rightful contender to return to the College Football Playoffs.

Utah ()

Coming off a Pac-12 championship title, Utah will once again be a powerhouse in the West to make another run to join the fun of the College Football Playoffs.  Narrowly missing out last year, they eventually played in the Rose Bowl in a crushing loss to Ohio State.  That shouldn’t slow down the momentum this team grew on from last season.  Return of QB Cameron Rising and RB Ravion Thomas will help Kyle Whittingham’s team compete yet again not only for a Pac-12 run but a run at a national title opportunity as well.

Oklahoma State ()

Mike Gundy’s Cowboys had quite the 2021-22 season and was one win away from making a College Football Playoff appearance.  Their narrow loss to Baylor in the Big 12 Title game did halt their championship run last year but expect a similar run this year.  QB Spencer Sanders returns to an improved offense and with Oklahoma losing HC losing Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams, expect not only the Sooner state to run through Stillwater but possibly the Big 12 as well.