We know those Christmas Day NFL games didn’t bring the competitive football you were looking for. But don’t worry, it’s time for some college football, and we’ve got college football playoff odds that are all hovering below double digits. Does that mean we’re set up for some classic finishes to bring in the new year? Check out our CFP preview below.
View the latest NCAAF Odds at Bovada
Wednesday Game
No. 10 Miami Hurricanes vs. No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes
Odds: Ohio State -9.5, Miami +9.5
Moneyline: Ohio State -350, Miami +275
Total: 42
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET at Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
Channel: ESPN
After scraping and clawing their way into the CFP, the Hurricanes proved they belonged with a 10-3 upset over No. 7 Texas A&M as 3.5-point underdogs. They didn’t do it with their star quarterback transfer, Carson Beck; they did it with the run game and defense. Junior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. ran through Texas A&M’s defense for 172 yards on 17 carries, including a 56-yard run to set up the game-winning touchdown. Meanwhile, the defense held an offense with a first-round wideout to just three points.
Can they do the same against Ohio State? It’ll be a tough ask. The Buckeyes rank first in points against and are fifth in run defense. Their run defense is only trumped by their pass defense, which ranks first in the NCAA with just 129 passing yards allowed.
Beck will have to find the ability that gave him a first-round grade in 2024 to keep pace with a Buckeyes squad riddled with first-round talent.
Thursday Games
No. 5 Oregon Ducks vs. No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders
Odds: Oregon -2, Texas Tech +2
Moneyline: Oregon -125, Texas Tech +105
Total: 52.5
Time: 12 p.m. ET at the Capital One Orange Bowl
Channel: ESPN
A casual college football viewer will recognize one star in this matchup: Oregon QB Dante Moore. But football fans are about to get an indoctrination into the deep squad that is the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
They rank 3rd in the nation in points scored and points allowed, producing a top-10 passing offense with senior QB Beheren Morton and a defense that is also 3rd in total yards allowed.
But could it be a mirage? The only top-10 squad they’ve faced all year is BYU twice in the regular season. They outscored them by a combined 63-14.
The Ducks had their high in their win against No. 3 Penn State, but lost to top-ranked Indiana 30-20 a week later. If Moore comes to play against the Red Raiders’ defense, expect a shoutout at the Capital One Orange Bowl that lives up to its 52.5 total.
No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers
Odds: Indiana -7, Alabama +7
Moneyline: Indiana -250, Alabama +210
Total: 48
Time: 8 p.m. ET at Rose Bowl
Channel: ESPN
Which Ty Simpson are we going to see? Alabama looked done early in the second quarter as Oklahoma took a 17-0 lead. But Simpson turned on the early-season ability that made him a top prospect, helping them tie up the game at the half and then outscoring the Sooners 17-7 in the second half to pull off the upset.
If they fall into an early deficit against the Hoosiers, they may not be able to recover. Indiana proved their defense can stop anyone after holding the Buckeyes to just 10 points in the Big Ten Championship. This is with two-star wideouts and a future Heisman favorite at QB.
Meanwhile, on offense, Indiana boasts the 2025 Heisman winner, who has proven capable of making big plays on the big stage.
A cover against the spread (ATS) isn’t impossible, but to win straight up against a stacked Indiana squad will be a tall order on Thursday.
No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels vs. No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs
Odds: Georgia -6.5, Ole Miss +6.5
Moneyline: Georgia -245, Ole Miss +205
Total: 56
Time: 8 p.m. ET at Allstate Sugar Bowl
Channel: ESPN
Things went quiet on the Bulldogs after losing to the Tide in Week 4. But they quietly climbed back up the standings and cemented their resurgence with a 28-7 win over Alabama in the SEC Championship. They also have a 43-35 win against their playoff opponent, Ole Miss. But it required four touchdowns from QB Gunner Stockton and a fourth-quarter comeback to seal the win. Despite the 6.5-point spread, this could be another shootout that goes down to the last possession.
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