The moment we've all been waiting for has finally arrived! This weekend marks the start of the first-ever 12-team CFP, a groundbreaking event in the world of college football. For the first time, the first-round games will be held on campus, bringing a fresh twist to the postseason.

The excitement of enthusiastic home fans combined with the unpredictability of the weather is sure to create thrilling moments in these high-stakes games. No more discussions or what-ifs – it's time for teams to show what they've got on the field, and what we’ve got with our College Football Playoff picks.

 

 

 

College Football Playoffs Predictions For 2024

From dominant teams protecting their home ground to underdogs looking for a big upset, each matchup has its own story to tell. With chilly weather expected at many locations, teams will need to quickly adjust to both their rivals and the conditions.

This can make our College Football Playoff predictions tough, but we welcome it! As we kick off the journey to the national championship, let’s take a closer look at the first-round matchups and see which teams are poised to shine with our 2024 College Football Playoff picks!

 

 

 

College Football Playoffs Picks & Odds

Before I touch on my actual College Football Playoff predictions, I figured I’d lay out my straight up picks to start.

It’s boring, but I’ve bolded my choices below, as well as listed the money line College Football Playoff odds from BetMGM Sportsbook:

  • Indiana Hoosiers (+220) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-275)
  • SMU Mustangs (+260) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (-350)
  • Clemson Tigers (+350) vs. Texas Longhorns (-450)
  • Tennessee Volunteers (+240) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (-300)

 

 

 

Indiana vs. Notre Dame Prediction & Pick

Outside of the loss to NIU, Notre Dame has looked strong this season with a balanced offense and solid defense. That said, Indiana's toughness and explosive capabilities make the 7-point spread a bit too generous, which is where our College Football Playoff predictions will start.

The Hoosiers have a top offense, ranking second in the nation with 43.3 points per game, and an elite defense that allows only 14.7 points per game, placing them sixth overall. Despite a tough 38-15 loss to Ohio State, Indiana's mistakes in that game (turnovers, special teams miscues) can be fixed.

The Irish have shown vulnerability against strong offenses, particularly in the passing game. Indiana averages 265.2 passing yards per game (27th in the nation) and have a talented receiving group led by Elijah Sarratt (890 yards, 8 TDs), which could challenge Notre Dame’s secondary, ranked third in passing defense but untested by an offense as dynamic as Indiana's this season.

Notre Dame's run-heavy attack is tough, but Indiana's top-ranked run defense (70.8 yards allowed per game) poses a serious threat. Even if Notre Dame wins, the Hoosiers can score quickly and limit big plays and make this game closer than the spread indicates. Give me Indiana +7 (-105 at BetMGM).

 

 

 

Clemson vs. Texas Prediction & Pick

Texas should be able to come out on top in this matchup, but backing Clemson at +12 (-110 at BetMGM) offers great value. Texas boasts one of the strongest defenses in the country, allowing only 12.5 points per game. However, their offense has had trouble pulling away in close games.

The Longhorns' narrow victory in the SEC Championship and their tendency to turn the ball over (ranking 122nd nationally) indicate they might struggle to dominate against a high-caliber team like Clemson. Meanwhile, Clemson is hitting its stride, led by Cade Klubnik’s solid year of passing (3,303 yards, 33 touchdowns) and a well-rounded offensive strategy.

With an average of 35.5 points per game (16th in the nation), they can definitely challenge Texas’ tough defense. Plus, the Tigers are good at avoiding turnovers (10th fewest nationally), which should help them control the game and stay competitive.

While Texas may dictate the pace with their defense, Clemson's balanced and recent performance make the +12 spread too appealing to ignore. Our College Football Playoff predictions expect a close enough game where Clemson manages to cover the spread.

 

 

 

How To Watch The 2024 College Football Playoffs

The 2024 College Football Playoff is set to begin this weekend, featuring some thrilling first-round games hosted by the top-seeded teams.

Fans can watch the games on various networks such as ABC, ESPN, TNT, and Max, with streaming available through platforms like FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, and Sling.

The festivities, along with our College Football Playoff predictions, will kick off as follows:

Friday, December 20

  • #10 Indiana vs. #7 Notre Dame: 8 PM EST on ABC/ESPN

Saturday, December 21

  • #11 SMU vs. #6 Penn State: 12 PM EST on TNT/Max
  • #12 Clemson vs. #5 Texas: 4 PM EST on TNT/Max
  • #9 Tennessee vs. #8 Ohio State: 8 PM EST on ABC/ESPN

The winners will move on to the quarterfinals starting on December 31, leading up to the National Championship on January 20, 2025, at 7:30 PM EST on ESPN. Make sure you don’t miss any of the action!

 

 

 

How To Bet On The College Football Playoffs At BetMGM Sportsbook & Score A $1,500 Bonus

This BetMGM Sportsbook deal offers an incredible value and gives you a chance to kick back and enjoy yourself without any worries. That’s pretty hard to find these days! When you sign up here and place a bet of $10 or more, whether on College Football Playoff odds or anything else, you can bet up to $1,500 on your first wager and then just relax.

You can feel at ease knowing you’ll definitely walk away with something. If you win, you get to keep your regular payout, but if you don’t, you’ll receive a full refund in bonus bets! Just make sure to create a new account through us using the BetMGM Sportsbook promo code ALARM before you roll with our College Football Playoff predictions today!