2024 College Football betting report reveals that bettors can’t get enough of the Buckeyes. As Week 0 approaches, excitement isn’t just surrounding the matchups; College Football Playoff odds and regular-season win totals are also drawing significant interest from fans and gamblers alike.
One team stands out in the national championship conversation.
“This summer has been all about Ohio State: betting on the national championship, winning the Big Ten, making the playoffs, going undefeated, and Over 10.5 wins,” said Seamus Magee, trading manager at BetMGM.
Magee offers insights into which teams are attracting the most attention from bettors, focusing on both Over and Under trends in college football regular-season win totals.
Season Win Totals: Over Action
Ohio State
Ohio State is widely regarded as the second favorite to win the College Football Playoff, with BetMGM listing the Buckeyes at +325, closely following Georgia at +300.
Expectations in Columbus are soaring. Achieving over 10.5 wins during the regular season would certainly align with those high hopes.
Oddsmakers agree, as BetMGM lists the Over 10.5 wins at -175, indicating a bettor would need to wager $175 to win $100, resulting in a total payout of $275. Conversely, the Under 10.5 sits at +145. A $100 bet on the Under would yield a profit of $145 if the Buckeyes secure 10 or fewer wins, totaling $245.
However, early bettors are leaning heavily toward the Over.
“Bettors can’t get enough of the Buckeyes, and I can’t blame them,” Magee noted. “The buzz from Columbus suggests this could be a generational Ohio State defense.”
Still, a tough Big Ten schedule, now featuring Oregon, could pose challenges in reaching that 11th win.
“Quarterback Will Howard is stepping into a pivotal role. While the defense may ease his burden, matchups against Oregon, Penn State, and Michigan will be true tests for him and the offense,” Magee explained.
Nebraska
Once a powerhouse, Nebraska has struggled in recent years, finishing below .500 for the last seven seasons. In 2023, under new head coach Matt Rhule, the Huskers ended with a 5-7 record.
“Another year of Nebraska hype is upon us. However, it seems Matt Rhule is steering the Huskers in the right direction,” Magee stated. “They’ve recruited a highly regarded quarterback in Dylan Raiola and only face Ohio State among the top teams in the Big Ten.”
Raiola, being a true freshman, adds a layer of complexity to the season. Still, bettors are optimistic about Nebraska’s potential.
“At BetMGM, Nebraska is a popular sleeper pick for the Big Ten and possibly even a playoff spot. I wouldn’t dismiss their chances of winning eight games. I trust Matt Rhule, especially if Raiola lives up to the hype,” Magee remarked.
Indiana
Indiana may not garner much attention this season, especially in a Big Ten filled with national title contenders like Ohio State, defending champion Michigan, and solid teams like Penn State and Oregon.
Yet, early betting trends indicate that some believe the Hoosiers can achieve at least a 6-6 record. BetMGM has set Indiana’s win total at 5.5, with the Over at -150 and the Under at +125. The hiring of a new coach seems to inspire this optimism.
“Indiana brought in Curt Cignetti from James Madison and aggressively utilized the transfer portal. They’ve added several players to help the program get off to a strong start under Cignetti,” Magee said. “Many bettors believe the Hoosiers can reach a bowl game in Year 1 with their new coach.”
The Hoosiers’ non-conference schedule — featuring home games against Florida International, Western Illinois, and Charlotte — could set them on the path to achieving the Over.
“The non-conference schedule looks favorable with three manageable wins,” Magee noted. “However, they need to secure some Big Ten victories, particularly against Michigan State, Maryland, and UCLA, to reach their goal.”
Florida
Florida currently resembles Nebraska’s recent struggles. The Gators ended the previous season with a disappointing 5-7 record and have now experienced three consecutive losing seasons. Florida hasn’t achieved double-digit wins since their 11-2 record in 2019.
Expectations are low for the Gators this year, with BetMGM setting their regular-season win total at a mere 4.5. However, the Over is favored at -155, and many BetMGM customers believe Florida can secure at least five wins.
“This situation is intriguing. We’re seeing a significant lean toward the Over 4.5, despite the Gators facing the toughest schedule in the nation,” Magee explained.
Indeed, Florida’s schedule includes eight ranked teams. They will face a grueling five-week stretch to conclude the season, featuring matchups against No. 1 Georgia (neutral site), No. 4 Texas, No. 13 LSU, No. 6 Ole Miss, and No. 10 Florida State.
“If quarterback Grahm Mertz makes strides from last year, the Gators could surprise some teams,” Magee added. “The talent on this roster is undeniable, but the last five games will be a real challenge. They might end up losing five straight after their bye week.”
Regular Season Win Totals: Under Action
LSU
With Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels now playing for the Washington Commanders, BetMGM has set LSU’s regular-season win total at 9, with the Over slightly favored at -115 and the Under at -105.
Magee expresses uncertainty about the potential of coach Brian Kelly’s squad this season.
“I see a wide range of outcomes for this LSU team. They could finish anywhere from 11-1 to 7-5,” he said. “LSU has significant production to replace on offense, and BetMGM bettors aren’t optimistic about them winning 10 games.”
“The early part of the schedule is manageable, but the latter half presents tougher challenges, including games at Kyle Field (Texas A&M) and the Swamp (Florida), along with home matchups against Alabama and Oklahoma.”
The Tigers will also host sixth-ranked Ole Miss this season.
Clemson
Clemson’s previous season ended with an 8-4 record, breaking their streak of double-digit wins. Despite a bowl victory over Kentucky, the Tigers opened this season with a win total of 9.5, which has since dropped to 9, with the Over slightly favored at -120.
“Betting trends can reflect a program’s current state. In this era of NIL and the transfer portal, Clemson did not add any transfers to its roster,” Magee pointed out.
This decision made Clemson the only FBS team that didn’t utilize the transfer portal.
“As a result, bettors gravitated toward the Under 9.5 wins for Clemson, with ongoing interest in the Under 9,” Magee noted.
Nonetheless, the Tigers have some bright spots, indicating a chance to surpass their win total.
“I’m starting to see potential in this Clemson team. They return most of their offense, which could provide a boost in continuity,” Magee said. “However, the schedule is challenging: facing Georgia in Atlanta for Week 1, along with late-season games at Virginia Tech and at Florida State.”
“Fortunately for the Tigers, their games against Louisville and North Carolina State will be at home and following bye weeks. The criticism of this team has been a bit excessive. They still have the capability to win 10 games and contend for the ACC Championship,” he added.
Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech is set to play in the first game of the season against ACC rival Florida State, ranked 10th, in a neutral-site matchup in Dublin, Ireland. The Yellow Jackets enter the game as 10.5-point underdogs.
With this matchup on the horizon, oddsmakers have essentially marked Georgia Tech as 0-1 already. BetMGM opened the Yellow Jackets’ season win total at 5.5, which has since decreased to 5, with the Under favored at -115.
“Georgia Tech faces one of the toughest schedules in the country, which has led many to doubt their chances of reaching a bowl game,” Magee remarked. “The Under 5.5 has been one of the most popular bets this offseason.”
The Yellow Jackets will face five ranked opponents, including Florida State, No. 7 Notre Dame (neutral site), and home games against No. 19 Miami and No. 24 N.C. State, capped off with a season finale at No. 1 Georgia.
“It’s easy to look at the schedule and predict they won’t make a bowl,” Magee said. “However, I have faith in coach Brent Key. He’s building something positive with this team. Still, the Yellow Jackets will need to pull off a few unexpected wins on the road to have a shot at bowl eligibility.”
