The time is almost here to kick off yet another college football campaign as we’re just under two weeks away from having football back on Saturdays. Georgia comes into the season atop of this list after winning back-to-back National Championships, dethroning Alabama who went into 2022 with the best odds. Georgia is followed by the usual suspects such as the Crimson Tide and Ohio State but after a great showing last year, Michigan seems to be a mainstay towards the top in the odds this year. August 26th can’t come soon enough as we take a look at if Georgia can three-peat or if a new champion will be crowned.
College Football: 2023-24 National Championship Odds
Georgia (+220)
The Bulldogs come into this season losing 10 players to the NFL Draft and will bring in a new offensive coordinator, so why are they heavy favorites to three-peat? One answer, 2022. Last season, Georgia was forced to replace 15 players that went into the NFL draft as well as having to find a new defensive coordinator yet they dominated everyone to the tune of a 15-0 record while dismantling TCU in the big game. Kirby Smart has been in this position before yet we’ve seen him pluck talent and build even stronger than before and it’s believed he can do the same again this year.
It’s believed quarterback Carson Beck will be slated as the starter to go along with a deep receiving core, including tight end Brock Bowers, and a great offensive line that is projected to shine yet again this season. While they’ve lost talent on defense, the Bulldogs have talent from front to back end with one of the best linebacker groups around. While they still have positions to sort out, it’s not believed to hamper this team by any means. If Georgia won the title, it would be the first team to three-peat since Minnesota from 1934-36.
Alabama (+600)
An 11-2 record would get you praise for an unbelievable season but not for Alabama. In 2022, that record was deemed a big disappointment and their worst season since 2013, failing to miss the playoffs. I guess that’s what you get when a school like Alabama has more standards than just about any team in history. That being said, they have the second-best odds to win the National Championship and there’s a reason for that.
While the Crimson Tide will have to replace a Heisman Trophy finalist in Bryce Young under center, they have plenty of options in the quarterback room who could step in. There still being a battle at that position might be the reason people aren’t talking about this team AS much, but that’s when they’ll strike and show everyone not to doubt them again. But this all comes down to one man, head coach Nick Saban. I mean, he does know a thing or two about winning and scooting around “question marks” surrounding the team. Alabama has pilled up multiple pieces around multiple key positions for 2023 so pushing them aside might be a big mistake.
Ohio State (+700)
Like Georgia and Alabama, Ohio State will come into 2023 with a new man under center after C.J. Stroud moved into the next level. Also like the two schools ahead of them, they’re still trying to figure out who that will be, whether it’s Kyle McCord (likely starter) or Devin Brown. Either way, one of those two will be flanked by yet another deep and talented receiving at Ohio State, led by Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egubuka.
The Buckeyes also sport great talent on the other side of the ball, having a deep defensive line filled with pro talent. They also bring back All-American linebacker Tommy Eichenberg in addition to more pieces at the position and at cornerback. Let’s not forget that last year, Ryan Day had Ohio State one point away from dethroning Georgia in the College Football Playoff and advancing to the National Championship Game. This program has multiple chips on their shoulder and they do so coming in with still one of the best overall rosters in the nation.
Michigan (+850)
Michigan is the first team on this list not to have to replace their starting quarterback for 2023. J.J. McCarthy returns as the signal-caller alongside the great backfield duo of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. Having those three return to the fray after going 13-0 last year and making the College Football Playoff could already give them a leg up in the competition. They also boast an offensive line loaded with talent all around.
While the defensive side of the ball is still trying to be figured out with a couple of big pieces leaving, there’s plenty of talent around to have confidence in that group. Also, we’re talking about Michigan, a team known for their defense above anything else with coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines also have a chip on their shoulder after getting upset by TCU in the playoff last year and it could actually help them take the next step in 2023.
Next Best Odds:
LSU (+1100)
USC (+1400)
Clemson (+1800)
Florida State (+1800)
Texas (+2200)
Penn State (+2500)
Notre Dame (+3000)
Tennessee (+3500)
Oregon (+3500)
Main Image: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
