2024 College Football Playoff Bracket: Matchups, Odds, and First-Round Drama
It’s official, folks! After months of thrilling games, nail-biting finishes, and endless speculation, the 12 teams that will battle it out in this season’s College Football Playoff have been revealed. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the excitement is palpable as fans gear up for what promises to be an unforgettable postseason.
At the top of the bracket, No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Boise State, and No. 4 Arizona State have secured first-round byes after clinching their respective conference championship games over the weekend. These powerhouses will sit back and watch as eight other teams duke it out in the first round on Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 for a chance to join them in the quarterfinals.
First-Round Matchups: What to Watch
The first round kicks off with an electrifying in-state showdown between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 10 Indiana. This Friday night clash in South Bend (Dec. 20, 8 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN) is already generating buzz, with Notre Dame entering as a 7.5-point favorite. Can Indiana pull off the upset, or will the Fighting Irish prove too strong at home?
Saturday’s action begins with No. 11 SMU traveling to Beaver Stadium to take on No. 6 Penn State (12 p.m. ET on TNT/Max). Penn State is also favored by 7.5 points, but SMU has shown they can hang with the big boys, boasting a 2-1 record against AP-ranked teams this season. Will the Nittany Lions hold their ground, or is an upset brewing in Happy Valley?
Later that afternoon, No. 12 Clemson heads to Austin to face No. 5 Texas (4 p.m. ET on TNT/Max). Texas enters as a 10.5-point favorite, and with a 4-2 record against AP-ranked teams, the Longhorns look like a tough out. But don’t count out Clemson, a program with a history of postseason magic. Could this be the game where the Tigers roar back to prominence?
The first round wraps up with a primetime showdown between No. 9 Tennessee and No. 8 Ohio State in Columbus (8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC). Ohio State is a 7-point favorite, but Tennessee’s 3-1 record against AP-ranked teams suggests they’re more than capable of pulling off the upset. This one has all the makings of a classic, so don’t miss it!
Breaking Down the Odds
Here’s a quick look at the betting lines for each first-round matchup:
- Indiana at Notre Dame: Notre Dame -7.5, O/U 51.5
- SMU at Penn State: Penn State -7.5, O/U 52.5
- Clemson at Texas: Texas -10.5, O/U 53.5
- Tennessee at Ohio State: Ohio State -7, O/U 47.5
For those looking to place bets, here are the money line odds:
- Indiana (+250); Notre Dame (-300)
- SMU (+250); Penn State (-300)
- Clemson (+340); Texas (-450)
- Tennessee (+240); Ohio State (-290)
All odds are accurate as of the time of publication. For the latest updates, visit ESPN BET.
What’s Next?
With the first round just around the corner, the College Football Playoff is shaping up to be a thrilling ride. Will the top seeds hold serve, or are we in for some shocking upsets? One thing’s for sure: fans are in for a treat as the road to the national championship begins. So grab your popcorn, clear your schedule, and get ready for some epic football action!
Originally Written by: ESPN Staff
