As we approach the 2021 college football season, the sports betting odds to win the national championship are undergoing some slight shifts, and one school moving more than others is Georgia. Back in February, most books had the Bulldogs at +1200 (12/1) to win the title, but those odds have shifted as low as +750 (15/2) to win the title. Many bettors saw some value in taking Georgia, although until they show that they can take care of Alabama, it’s hard to argue for them to win a title. After all, even if they can get through their schedule unbeaten (which is not a given, since they start with Clemson in their opener) or at least make it to the SEC Championship (which is also not a given, since they show the yips against Florida more often than not), they would still likely have to beat Alabama twice — once in the SEC Championship and another time in the CFP, either in the semifinal or the finals.
Let’s take a look at the updated college football odds table.
NCAA News: Odds to Win the National Championship
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Alabama | +260 |
| Clemson | +400 |
| Ohio State | +600 |
| Oklahoma, Georgia | +750 |
| Iowa State, LSU, Texas A&M | +3000 |
| Notre Dame, Florida | +4000 |
| Oregon, North Carolina, USC, Texas, Wisconsin | +5000 |
| Miami, Penn State | +7500 |
| Cincinnati | +8000 |
| Arizona State, Auburn, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern, Washington, Oklahoma State, West Virginia | +10000 |
To understand a little bit more about Georgia’s rise in the odds table, the Bulldogs pulled off three straight 11-1 regular seasons, advanced to three straight SEC Championships and even made it to one national championship game. Their nemesis each time was Alabama, who came back from a halftime deficit in the national championship and won in overtime, with Tua Tagovailoa coming on at quarterback at halftime to lead the comeback and throw the decisive bomb to win the game. Last year, Georgia went 8-2 in the shortened regular season and then held off Cincinnati in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. This year, they bring back 13 starters, including quarterback J.T. Daniels, tailback Zamir White and three starters on the offensive line. Arik Gilbert, Tykee Smith and Derion Kendrick all started for their prior teams and came to Georgia via the transfer portal. So the question for the Bulldogs really isn’t about talent, because no roster in the nation is better than theirs. But can Kirby Smart get his players together with a plan that can beat the one Nick Saban will put together?
Alabama has only lost five SEC games since 2014 (two against Auburn). Four of those losses have come by no more than six points. During that same time span, the team has won 51 SEC games — with only five of those victories coming by a margin of no more than six points. The Crimson Tide’s dominance has been historic, especially if you consider the strength of the rest of the SEC. The team brings in new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and offensive line coach Doug Marrone, two former NFL head coaches. The roster has turned over at quarterback, tailback and wide receiver, but Saban’s recruits at those positions stand ready to help the team run roughshod over the rest of the SEC again.
Texas A&M needs to pick a quarterback to replace the departed Kellen Mond. Haynes King took the field twice last season and can bring his speed to the running game. Zach Calzada has a bit more game experience and has a cannon of an arm, so he would be more of a traditional pocket passer. Their defense is stout, but their offense had a way of bogging down at the wrong time last season.
LSU has Max Johnson as their new starting quarterback, due to the arm injury that Myles Brennan suffered. The team has a new offensive coordinator in Jake Peetz, who worked for the Carolina Panthers a year ago. Freshman Garrett Nussmeier could push Johnson at quarterback if the Tiger offense struggles, but this roster could surprise the rest of the SEC West.
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