Upcoming Match-ups

College Football Betting Lines Released for Possible National Championship Matchups

Brady Trettenero

by Brady Trettenero in College Football

Updated Dec 15, 2022 · 12:35 PM PST

Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy passes against Ohio State
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes against Ohio State during the first half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 26, 2022. Michohio 112622 Kd 3524
  • Oddsmakers have already released betting lines for potential CFP National Championship matchups
  • Bettors can place early wagers on a Michigan vs Ohio State rematch among other options
  • See the college football betting odds for all four potential CFP National Championship matchups below

The 2022-23 College Football Semi-Finals won’t be played until December 31st, but that hasn’t stopped oddsmakers from releasing early college football betting lines for the National Championship game.

TCU and Michigan square off in the Semi-Final at the Fiesta Bowl, while Georgia and Michigan faceoff in the other semifinal at the Peach Bowl. This means there are four potential matchups for the CFP National Championship Game on January 9th, including an Ohio State vs Michigan rivalry rematch.

Let’s take an early look at the CFP National Championship betting lines and make some picks.

Ohio State vs Michigan Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Ohio State -3 (-110) OFF OFF
Michigan +3 (-110) OFF OFF

All odds from DraftKings on Dec. 12. Get the DraftKings promo code to bet on the National Championship. 

It’s important to note that your bet will be void if the matchup doesn’t happen (aka you get your money back).

DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOK

Sign Up Today & Receive Up to
$1,050 in Bonuses!


Excludes MA.
LOCK IN PROMO
SIGNUP PROMO
SIGN UP
& GET $1,050

BONUS BETS + DEPOSIT BONUS

GET PROMO

Buckeyes a Surprise Favorite Over Wolverines

Even though Michigan dominated Ohio State in Columbus during the regular season, oddsmakers have still made the Buckeyes the favorite in a hypothetical National Championship game between the two Big Ten rivals.

It may seem odd for Ohio State to be the favorite considering the recent outcome between the two teams, but there’s a method to the madness. If Ohio State gets to the National Championship, they will have dethroned the reigning champs Georgia.

Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud finished as a Heisman finalist for the second consecutive season and has played well in his two losses to Michigan to date. He’d be brimming with confidence after torching the UGA defense.

Michigan is without its best player Blake Corum in the CFP, even though they didn’t need him to beat Ohio State in November. We’d have to stick with Michigan here based on how they’ve bullied Ohio State in the trenches over the past two meetings.

Ultimately, though, while Michigan is the pick, this is a stay-away this far out. Vegas knows something with how they’ve set the line, and it’s currently begging bettors to take Michigan as underdogs.

Pick: Stay Away  

Michigan vs Georgia Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Michigan +7.5 (-110) OFF OFF
Georgia -7.5 (-110) OFF OFF

Bulldogs Favored in CFP Rematch Over Wolverines

To no surprise, Georgia is favored by over a touchdown in a potential CFP rematch with Michigan, this time in the National Championship instead of the Semi-Final. UGA won 34-11 over the Wolverines in the Peach Bowl Semi-Final last year.

This is the exact same spread for the Michigan vs Georgia game played in 2021, so oddsmakers are clearly giving the 2022 Wolverines team some credit considering how lopsided the game was one year ago.

YouTube video

The key change for Michigan is at quarterback, where JJ McCarthy has taken over duties for previous starter Cade McNamara. It’s still hard to envision McCarthy having that much of an impact against an elite UGA defense allowing fewer than 300 yards per game.

Ideally, we’d want Georgia at -7 instead of the hook, which is possible if they don’t play their best in the semi-final yet still beat Ohio State. UGA has proven to be on a different level than Michigan, and we can’t bet against the champs here.

Pick: Georgia -7.5 (-110)

TCU vs Georgia Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
TCU +15.5 (-110) OFF OFF
Georgia -15.5 (-110) OFF OFF

Horned Frogs Big Underdogs Against Bulldogs

If TCU continues its miraculous season and pulls off the upset over Michigan, oddsmakers say the Horned Frogs would be around a 15-point underdog against No. 1 Georgia in the CFP National Championship Game.

This would be the largest spread for a National Championship game in the playoff era if it comes to fruition. As it stands right now, the largest spread for a National Championship game is Alabama -9 against Ohio State in 2020-21.

YouTube video

The Crimson Tide beat up on the Buckeyes 52-24 to win the national title that season, which is a trend for CFP games with large spreads. In College Football Playoff games where a team is favored by 10 points or more, the favorite is 5-2 ATS.

We’d have a hard time backing TCU against Georgia considering the Big 12’s struggles in the playoffs. The Big 12 has never won a playoff game, although TCU can break that mold with a win over Michigan this year.

TCU has been in six one-score games this season in one of the weakest conferences in college football, and their star quarterback Max Duggan is battling injuries. Sonny Dykes’ team would be in for a rude awakening if they were to meet this UGA powerhouse in the National Championship.

Pick: Georgia -15.5 (-110)

Ohio State vs TCU Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Ohio State -10.5 (-110) OFF OFF
TCU +10.5 (-110) OFF OFF

Buckeyes Favored Over Horned Frogs in Unlikely Matchup

Ohio State vs TCU is the least likely CFP National Championship matchup to occur based on the odds, as both teams are underdogs in their respective CFP semi-final matchups. If the improbable were to happen, oddsmakers have made Ohio State a 10.5-point favorite over TCU.

This is an early college football betting line that holds some decent value, especially considering your bet is simply void if the game doesn’t happen. The Buckeyes possess one of the most lethal passing attacks in college football and face a TCU secondary that is middle-of-the-road in the Big 12.

TCU has yet to face a quarterback of C.J. Stroud’s talent level, and it’s hard to envision they’d have an answer for the Stroud-Marvin Harrison Jr. tandem. Harrison Jr. has emerged as one of the best receivers in the country with 72 catches for 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Once again, this really comes down to Ohio State playing with confidence and re-discovering their mojo after a (hypothetical) win over Georgia. Given the talent on their roster, if OSU takes down the champs, they should keep rolling and win by at least two scores against TCU.

Ohio sports betting is launching January 1st, 2023, so make sure you check out all the great pre-reg offers before wagering on the Buckeyes.

Pick: Ohio State -10.5 (-110)

 

Author Image