Georgia football’s chances of winning the National Championship this season are puzzling, considering their dominant performance throughout the year. As the No. 1 seed in the new 12-team College Football Playoff, the Bulldogs earned a first-round bye, yet their odds of winning it all don’t align with their on-field success.
Currently, Georgia has the third-best odds to win the National Championship at +500, behind No. 1 seed Oregon (+350) and No. 2 Texas (+360). This is strange for a few reasons. Georgia not only beat Texas on the road during the regular season but also defeated them in the SEC Championship. Despite this, Texas is still given significantly better odds.
Moreover, Ohio State shares the same odds as Georgia at +500, despite being recently embarrassed by Michigan and having a much harder path to the title. The Buckeyes must first beat Tennessee and then face Oregon, with potential matchups against Georgia or Texas down the road. With a difficult road ahead, Ohio State’s odds appear inflated.
In contrast, Georgia’s path to the National Championship is much easier. Their first game will be against either 10-seed Indiana or 7-seed Notre Dame, both teams the Bulldogs match up well with. In the semifinals, they could face Boise State, Penn State, or SMU—teams that would be less challenging than the formidable opponents on the other side of the bracket.
Given Georgia’s favorable path, the odds don’t seem to reflect the reality of their situation. With a backup quarterback in Gunner Stockton leading the charge, Georgia has already proven they can win big games. If they can continue their dominance, especially with the easier path, these odds may not matter much in the end.
