College Football Playoff 2017-2018: Alabama, Ohio State, USC Among Betting Favorites

Ohio State Alabama — Ohio State defeated Alabama Crimson Tide in the All State Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Jan. 1, 2015 in New Orleans, and the two teams could meet again in the 2017-2018 College Football Playoff. Getty Images

Meeting in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Alabama and Clemson became the only two teams to reach the postseason in all three years of the new system’s existence. With the new season coming up, only one of them is expected to continue their streak.

That, of course, is the Crimson Tide, which is the sport’s most dominant program and enters the upcoming year as the favorite to win the title. Clemson is expected to take a step back after losing quarterback Deshaun Watson to the NFL, while teams like Florida State, USC, Ohio State and Oklahoma are among those that have the best betting odds to at least play in the semifinal.

READ: College Football 2017 Win Projections

Alabama is considered such a lock to have a strong season that they are the only team that is an odds-on favorite to make the playoffs. Florida State, USC and Ohio State all have better than 2/1 odds of doing so.

Ohio State won the national title in the first year of the new postseason, getting wins over Alabama and Oregon. The Buckeyes lost in the semifinals last year, getting blown out by eventual champion Clemson.

Washington finished last season ranked in the top five of both the AP and Coaches Poll. After the top four, the Huskies have the same odds as LSU and Penn State to make the postseason.

Below are the complete betting odds for teams to reach the four-team College Football Playoff, via Bovada.lv.

Will Alabama make the 4-team playoff?

Yes -250 (2/5)

No +175 (7/4)

Will Florida State make the 4-team playoff?

Yes +140 (7/5)

No -180 (5/9)

Will USC make the 4-team playoff?

Yes +140 (7/5)

No -180 (5/9)

Will Ohio State make the 4-team playoff?

Yes +150 (3/2)