Updated National Championship Odds See Georgia, LSU and Notre Dame Enter Top 5 Contenders

• The College Football Playoff National Championship odds have been updated for the first time since the Big Ten and PAC-12 cancelled fall football
• Clemson and Alabama are still listed as heavy favorites to win the championship this year
• See the odds for all top teams on the board within the story below

Clemson and Alabama were always going to be among the favorites to hoist the CFP trophy this season, but now Georgia, LSU and Notre Dame have joined them atop the board.

Those are the five top favorites in the CFP National Championship odds. They have been updated for the first time since the cancellation of the Big Ten and PAC-12 seasons.

2021 CFP National Championship Odds

Odds taken Sep. 8th

Clemson and Alabama are no surprise. The three teams below them, however, each have big question marks.

Here’s the case against betting on Georgia, LSU or Notre Dame as well as my choice for the best value bet on the board.

Expect a New National Champion This Year

Instead of placing a wager on LSU to win back-to-back titles, you could light your money on fire the same way Joe Burrow likes to light up a cigar.

Joe Burrow smoking on a cigar while Frank Sinatra’s My Way plays. pic.twitter.com/nIEhzPzlcm

— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) January 14, 2020

Missing from last year’s team are five first round picks – Burrow, wide receiver Justin Jefferson, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and linebackers K’Lavon Chaisson and Patrick Queen.

Not only did they lose all that talent to the draft, but their best player heading into this year, WR Ja’Marr Chase, has opted out for the season. Replacing all that talent is not a nearly impossible task, it’s an impossible one.

Cross LSU off your list, especially when they offer no value as one of the favorites to win it all.

Jamie Newman’s Decision Devastating to Bulldogs

I’m not here to hate on anyone for choosing their health over football, but Newman’s decision to opt of the season doesn’t change the fact it puts Georgia in a tough spot.

They now have a quarterback battle between USC transfer JT Daniels and freshman D’Wan Mathis. The issue is neither is doing enough to solidify their status as the starter. Whether the job ultimately goes to Daniels or Mathis is almost a moot point. Neither is a championship caliber quarterback at this stage in my opinion.

I’ve gathered all the highlights we have to celebrate the Jamie Newman era at Georgia.

🍿Enjoy this montage. pic.twitter.com/1fxSk2y9h3

— Dayne Young (@dayneyoung) September 2, 2020

Kirby Smart is a good enough coach to keep Georgia competitive and may even be able to help them reach the College Football Playoff. That said, I have little faith they can win it all and I am especially negative on their outlook given the +750 odds.

Can Notre Dame Make Noise In the ACC?

Notre Dame will play football in the ACC this season which is both good and bad news. Outside of Clemson, the conference is pedestrian at best and will give the Fighting Irish ample opportunity to rack up wins.

The bad news is they play Clemson and will likely need a victory to qualify for the CFP. A one-loss team isn’t likely to come out of a conference as poor as the ACC and running the table seems like a big ask.

Now and forever we will RALLY. #GoIrish x #Rally pic.twitter.com/JWdDA3pyyi

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) June 22, 2020

Brian Kelly is a good coach and I like Ian Book at quarterback, but do you like them in a match up against Dabo Swinney and Trevor Lawrence? Me neither.

Consider Betting Oklahoma +1400

I think the Sooners are offering incredible value at +1400. Frankly, I like their chances best of any team not named Clemson or Alabama.

Lincoln Riley is the best young coach in the country and he has a new weapon in redshirt freshman quarterback Spencer Rattler. Riley offered Rattler a scholarship when he was a freshman in high school so there’s little doubt how high the expectations are for his new pivot.

The Spencer Rattler era begins for the Sooners.

The last three starters have worked out pretty well 😏 pic.twitter.com/9FAmNmXq0W

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 1, 2020

Can Rattler live up to the standards set by Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts? The three quarterbacks who succeeding him averaged a 69.6% completion rate with 4,639 total yards and 49 touchdowns over the last 5 seasons.

The fact Rattler was a higher ranked prospect than any of those players should have Sooner fans really excited. With big questions surrounding many of the other top programs, Oklahoma appears to be in position to pounce once the season kicks off.

Place Your Futures Bets Early

One last piece of advice, whichever teams you settle on I suggest you get your money in sooner rather than later. Once the contenders start racking up wins and pretenders fall off, the odds will adjust.

If you agree with my Oklahoma pick, do you really need to see them crush Missouri State in Week 1 before getting your bet in? Probably not.

Bet early and be happy with larger pay day if you pick correctly.

The Pick: Oklahoma Sooners (+1400)