The NCAAF Playoff First Round betting picks are here, and the excitement is palpable as the top college football teams battle it out for a spot in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals. This Friday kicks off the action, with the Indiana Hoosiers heading to Notre Dame to face the Fighting Irish, who are -7.5 favorites against the spread at home.
College Football Playoff First Round Betting Picks for the Games
NCAAF Playoff Craze: The Hottest Bets of the Year
2024 NCAA Division I FBS Football Season | 155th season of college football in the United States
First Round: Friday, December 20th – Saturday, December 21st, 2024
Betting Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl Winning Pick
The College Football Playoff First Round begins this Friday when the Indiana Hoosiers head to Notre Dame to take on the Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame is a solid -7.5 against the spread home chalk.
Then on Saturday, Penn State hosts SMU, Clemson travels to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns, and in the most anticipated first round CFP matchup, the Ohio State Buckeyes host the Tennessee Volunteers.
Which teams move to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals?
Check out college football odds, analysis, and picks for all four of this week’s CFP games.
Writer’s Picks for the NCAAF Playoff First Round
10 Indiana Hoosiers at 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Friday, December 20th at 8:00 pm ET – ESPN
Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana
ATS Odds:: Notre Dame -7.5
SU Odds: Indiana -255 / Notre Dame +202
Over/Under Odds: 51.5
It’s tough to back Indiana in this spot.
The Hoosiers failed miserably against the best team they played all season, the Ohio State Buckeyes, and like Friday’s matchup, Indiana was the road squad.
But Notre Dame, as well as they’ve played, showed some signs of slowing down in their final game of the season.
The Irish allowed USC to score 35 points in a 49-35 victory.
Indiana’s D was exceptional in 2024 when yielding 30 or more points once in the loss to the Buckeyes.
The Hoosiers could surprise on the moneyline.
More than likely Indiana keeps it close enough for an ATS victory in a game that should go under.
CFP First Round ATS Pick: Indiana +7.5
CFP First Round Over/Under Pick: Under
11 SMU Mustangs at 6 Penn State Nittany Lions
Saturday, December 21st at 12:00 pm ET – TNT / MaxBeaver Stadium, University Park, Pennsylvania
ATS Odds: Penn State -8.5
SU Odds: SMU +250 / Penn State -320
Over/Under Odds: 54
The Mustangs travel to Beaver Stadium hoping to pull off a shocker.
Penn State has been solid in 2024, losing twice but to a couple of the best teams in college football, top ranked Oregon and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Neither loss was a blowout.
The loss to Ohio State was by 7 points.
So the Nittany Lions for sure have the edge in this.
SMU is a quality squad.
The Mustangs can score points and the defense was decent this season for the most part.
But it’s impossible to compare the ACC to the Big Ten.
The Big Ten, by far, was the much better conference this season with plenty of teams that can beat SMU.
Lions cover in a defensive matchup.
CFP First Round ATS Pick: Penn State -8.5
CFP First Round Over/Under Pick: Under 53.5
12 Clemson Tigers at 5 Texas Longhorns
Saturday, December 21st at 4:00 pm ET – TNT / MaxDKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas
ATS Odds: Texas -11.5
SU Odds: Clemson +625 / Texas -450
Over/Under Odds: 51.5
Texas lost a couple of games this season.
Both were to the 2-seeded Georgia Bulldogs.
One of the losses came in Austin and the other was in the SEC Championship.
The Horns had a chance to beat UGA in the SEC title game.
The matchup went into overtime where the Dawgs prevailed.
Georgia is for real. The Bulldogs are the best college program in at the last past five seasons.
So Texas is legit.
Clemson is a solid squad that will have trouble dealing with the two-headed QB monster of Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning.
Both can run.
Manning is like a gazelle who will motor through the Tigers’ front seven.
Cade Klubnik and Clemson’s offense won’t keep pace.
The game should go over with the Horns winning by 20 or more.
CFP First Round ATS Pick: Texas -11.5
CFP First Round Over/Under Pick: Over 51.5
9 Tennessee Volunteers at 8 Ohio State Buckeyes
Saturday, December 21st at 4:00 pm ET – TNT / MaxDKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas
ATS Odds: Ohio State -7.5
SU Odds: Tennessee +240 / Ohio State -300
Over/Under Odds: 51.5
Before saddling up and jumping all over Ohio State, it’s important to note that the Tennessee Volunteers have the type of offense that could give the Buckeyes fits.
Ohio State struggled versus Oregon’s O.
Ohio State should struggle to contain Tennessee’s offense.
Nico Iamaleava was terrific this season.
He will find a way to move the ball against Ohio State’s D.
Also, and this could have an effect, the Buckeyes lost to Michigan, which means Ohio State lost the most important game of the season.
More important than this CFP contest.
Tennessee catches the Buckeyes at a good time.
Ohio State is doubting themselves after the loss.
The Vols should keep any loss to 7 points or less in what should be a shootout that has the potential to go into overtime.
CFP First Round ATS Pick: Tennessee +7
CFP First Round Over/Under Pick: Over 57.5
Bet the NCAAF Playoff First Round | College Football Live Betting MyBookie Betting Lines for the Tournament
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— UNISWAG (@UNISWAG) December 16, 2024
MyBookie offers the current College Football betting lines for the season to win.
Who Will Reign Supreme? 2024 College Football National Championship Odds Revealed!
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Oregon Ducks | +310 |
| Georgia Bulldogs | +320 |
| Texas Longhorns | +350 |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | +400 |
| Penn State Nittany Lions | +560 |
| Notre Dame Fighting Irish | +830 |
| Tennessee Volunteers | +2300 |
| Clemson Tigers | +3300 |
| SMU Mustangs | +3400 |
| Indiana Hoosiers | +4000 |
| Arizona State Sun Devils | +4400 |
| Boise State Broncos | +4700 |
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What are the NCAAF Playoff First Round Games? Let’s Find Out
The NCAAF Playoff First Round Games feature some of the most anticipated matchups in college football, as teams fight for a spot in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals.
This year, the first round will include exciting games like Indiana vs. Notre Dame, Penn State vs. SMU, Clemson vs. Texas, and Ohio State vs. Tennessee. These matchups bring high stakes, and fans will be eagerly watching for upsets, exciting performances, and potential playoff surprises.
When betting on NCAAF games, be sure to keep an eye on NCAAF odds and the betting lines for these top matchups, as they will significantly influence your betting strategies. Whether you’re backing favorites or predicting an upset, understanding the betting lines for these games can help you make more informed decisions.
Stay tuned to the latest NCAAF Playoff odds for updates on all the action!
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