CFP Look-Ahead Odds for Round 2: Hypothetical Quarterfinal Matchups & Betting Lines

The first round of the College Football Playoff is a few days away, with Indiana and Notre Dame kicking off the newly formatted postseason on Friday evening.

We break down the CFP look-ahead odds and the hypothetical quarterfinal matchups, with analysis of the second-round betting lines. Our College Football Playoff bracket lists all potential pairings for when the postseason dwindles to eight teams.

Oregon and Texas head into the postseason as the co-favorites to win the national championship, and their hypothetical second-round spreads reflect that reality. Meanwhile, the best college football betting sites haven't been as kind to Georgia.

Our college football bowl game opt-out tracker has you covered with the latest opt-out news and the impact on the college bowl game odds. 

College Football Playoff quarterfinal look-ahead odds

Odds via FanDuel as of Dec. 17.

• Arizona State: Despite getting a first-round bye, the Sun Devils are significant underdogs against both of their potential opponents
• Boise State: Similar to Arizona State, the Broncos would be hefty underdogs against Penn State or SMU
• Oregon: The Ducks are the only one of the four teams to get a first-round bye favored in both potential matchups
• Penn State: The Nittany Lions would be larger favorites against Boise State (-11.5) than they are against SMU (-8.5)
• Texas: Oddsmakers list the Longhorns as double-digit favorites in their first two matchups, justifying their place as college football championship odds co-favorites

Look-ahead Fiesta Bowl odds

Penn State vs. Boise State odds

• When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
• How to watch: ESPN
• Location: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.)
• Odds: Penn State -11.5 ()

Penn State boasts the 10th-rated rush defense (103.8 yards per game). Oddsmakers seem confident the Nittany Lions could slow down Ashton Jeanty - let's be honest, there's no stopping him - which explains the spread.

Given each team's performance against Oregon, public money would likely pour in on Boise State +11.5.

SMU vs. Boise State odds

• When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
• How to watch: ESPN
• Location: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.)
• Odds: SMU -6.5 (-114 via FanDuel)

SMU is one of three teams in the 12-team field with a better rush defense than Penn State. Yet, the Mustangs aren't favored as heavily over the Broncos. While Rhett Lashlee's men have been phenomenal this year, they aren't getting the respect of a powerhouse on the betting market.

Still, SMU is a near-touchdown favorite in this hypothetical Fiesta Bowl matchup. FanDuel's -114 odds on the 6.5-point line and public perception after a win over Penn State would likely see the Mustangs close as bigger favorites.

Look-ahead Peach Bowl odds

Texas vs. Arizona State odds matchups

• When: Wednesday, Jan. 1
• Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
• How to watch: ESPN
• Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
• Odds: Texas -13.5 (-105 via FanDuel)

Texas is the only team with a chance to be a double-digit favorite in the first two rounds. If the Longhorns can beat Clemson - as our Clemson vs. Texas early picks predict - the books expect them to cruise by the Big 12 champions. Oddsmakers give the advantage to the top-15 rush defense against Cam Skattebo.

Arizona State is the best team against the spread in the country and Texas covers at only a 53.9% clip, so it'd be somewhat surprising if this spread closed near two touchdowns.

Clemson vs. Arizona State odds

• When: Wednesday, Jan. 1
• Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
• How to watch: ESPN
• Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
• Odds: Clemson -4.5 (-110 via FanDuel)

This is one of the most surprising hypothetical spreads on the board. While the Sun Devils have been the better team lately, Clemson would need to take down two top-10 teams in as many games to reach this stage. Dabo Swinney is also one of just two active coaches with a national championship to his name.

Our knee-jerk reaction is that this is too many points to be giving in this game. It'd be one of the more intriguing second-round spreads to monitor with two conference champions squaring off.

Look-ahead Rose Bowl odds

Ohio State vs. Oregon odds matchups

• When: Wednesday, Jan. 1
• Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET
• How to watch: ESPN
• Location: Rose Bowl Stadium (Pasadena, Calif.)
• Odds: Oregon -1.5 (-104 via FanDuel)

Despite Ohio State's recent slip-up against Michigan, the best sports betting apps still believe in Ryan Day's squad. Oregon won the first meeting by a mere point in Eugene. Even though the Ducks have been perfect to date, it doesn't seem the betting public is giving them enough respect, and this small spread is proof.

Tennessee vs. Oregon odds matchups

• When: Wednesday, Jan. 1
• Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET
• How to watch: ESPN
• Location: Rose Bowl Stadium (Pasadena, Calif.)
• Odds: Oregon -4.5 (-115 via FanDuel)

Many people might be puzzled to see Oregon listed as 4.5-point favorites against Tennessee. However, these teams are cut from the same cloth. They are two of three teams in the College Football Playoff with a top-15 total offense and defense, Texas being the other.

The Volunteers can make a statement going on the road and beating Ohio State in the first round. Unfortunately for Tennessee, the Ducks get a big home-field advantage in the quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl. It's not so bad after playing at The Horseshoe, though, right?

Look-ahead Sugar Bowl odds

Notre Dame vs. Georgia odds matchups

• When: Wednesday, Jan. 1
• Kickoff: 8:45 p.m. ET
• How to watch: ESPN
• Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
• Odds: Notre Dame -1.5 (-110 via FanDuel)

This spread will make jaws drop at first glance. However, it says more about Georgia's quarterback situation than anything else. Gunner Stockton was good during his SEC Championship cameo, but could he do enough in a full start to beat one of the hottest teams in the country?

The college football odds don't seem to think so, as they favor Notre Dame in this look-ahead spot. If this is the contest we get, expect the Bulldogs to be public darlings.

Indiana vs. Georgia odds matchups

• When: Wednesday, Jan. 1
• Kickoff: 8:45 p.m. ET
• How to watch: ESPN
• Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
• Odds: Georgia -6.5 (-106 via FanDuel)

As is the case with SMU, the betting world doesn't seem ready to welcome Indiana into its circle of trust just yet. The Hoosiers struggle against teams with prolific play in the trenches, and there is perhaps no program in the nation with more NFL-ready talent than Georgia.

The Bulldogs being 6.5-point favorites at FanDuel with uncertainty regarding their quarterback position makes us wonder what this hypothetical line would be if Carson Beck can suit up.

National Championship odds 2024-25

College football odds pages

Here are our best college football betting sites:

• Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
• BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
• bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
• FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
• DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

Related pages

• Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)