College Football Playoff Odds: Lines, Betting Trends on Quarterfinal Matchups

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

10 minute read

College Football Playoff odds for the quarterfinals continue taking shape, with two matchups down and two to go. Penn State and Texas have already advanced to the semis.

Up next in College Football Playoff quarterfinal odds: Notre Dame vs. Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, which was postponed until Thursday afternoon.

Here’s everything you need to know about college football odds for all four quarterfinal playoff games: opening lines, spreads and betting trends, as multiple oddsmakers provide insights on College Football Playoff Quarterfinal odds and action. Check back regularly for updates and use our BetMGM bonus code to get the most out of your action.

2024 College Football Playoff Odds Quarterfinals

Notre Dame vs. Georgia Odds

• Opening point spread: Notre Dame -1.5
• Opening moneyline: Georgia TBA/Notre Dame TBA
• Opening total: Over/Under 43 points scored
• Time: 4 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 2 (ESPN)

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET THURSDAY, JAN. 2: This game was postponed, first from 8:45 p.m. ET Wednesday to 8:45 p.m. ET today. Later Wednesday, the kickoff was amended to 4 p.m. ET today.

So, two hours before kickoff, Notre Dame is laying 1.5 points in DraftKings Sportsbook's odds for the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. The favorite has bounced back and forth in this game, with Notre Dame opening -1.5 on Dec. 20 and the line quickly flipping to Georgia -1.

The Bulldogs got to -2 a couple times last week. Wednesday morning, the line jumped the fence from Georgia -1 (-105) to Notre Dame -1 (-105). The Fighting Irish advanced to -1.5 this afternoon.

DraftKings' Julian Edlow relayed this comment from the trading room:

"Between futures liability and late steam coming in on Notre Dame, the book is rooting for Georgia in the Sugar Bowl."

The total is at 46, a tick below the 46.5 opener, and it got as low as 44 on Dec. 21. Since Saturday, the number toggled between 45/45.5 several times before getting to 46 early this afternoon.

The Over is getting 58% of tickets, while money is running almost dead even.

UPDATE 4 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1: The Sugar Bowl was postponed this afternoon, in the wake of a tragic event early today on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

Notre Dame vs. Georgia is now set for 4 p.m. ET Thursday.

At DraftKings Sportsbook, Notre Dame opened -1.5 on Dec. 20, and the line quickly jumped the fence to Georgia -1. The Bulldogs touched -2 a couple times last week, then returned to -1 Sunday.

This morning, before news of the postponement, the line again flipped, from Georgia -1 (-105) to Notre Dame -1 (-105). Spread tickets and money are just shy of 2/1 on Georgia.

The total opened at 46.5 and sped to 45.5/44.5 within a few minutes, then went to 44 on Dec. 21. It rebounded to 45 by Saturday and has since toggled between 45/45.5 several times.

The Over is getting 57% of tickets, while money is running almost dead even.

Use our Fanatics Sportsbook promo code for the Georgia vs Notre Dame CFP game!

UPDATE 1 P.M. ET MONDAY, DEC. 30: Borgata Sports pegged Georgia a 1.5-point favorite to open, and the line hasn't budged since.

"Action on this game has been very balanced on the side. We have seen the Irish included in a lot of parlays already," Borgata sportsbook director Tom Gable said.

The total climbed from 44.5 to 45.5.

UPDATE 3:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY, DEC. 26: Georgia opened as a 1-point underdog at ESPNBET, and like elsewhere, the line quickly jumped the fence. The Bulldogs are now 2-point favorites while netting 65% of early spread bets/78% of early spread cash.

The total opened at 43.5 and is still 43.5. But the Over is -120 while garnering 75% of bets/69% of money so far.

UPDATE 11:45 P.M. ET FRIDAY, DEC. 20: Notre Dame (12-1 SU/11-2 ATS) kept Indiana in check all night in the first game of the first 12-team playoff. The Fighting Irish led 17-3 at halftime and posted a relatively easy 27-17 victory tonight laying 7 points at home.

Indiana made it semi-interesting with two late touchdowns sandwiched around a recovered onside kick.

No. 2 Georgia (11-2 SU/4-9 ATS) got a bye straight into the Sugar Bowl, after beating Texas 22-19 in overtime in the SEC Championship Game. The Bulldogs covered in that contest as 3-point underdogs.

For the season, however, Georgia was one of the worst spread-covering teams in the nation. The Bulldogs finished tied for 127th out of 134 teams.

Also a potential big negative for Georgia: Quarterback Carson Beck appears likely to be out with an elbow injury suffered in the first half of the SEC final.

With that injury in mind, The SuperBook opened this matchup at Notre Dame -1 in the College Football Playoff odds quarterfinals market. But Bulldogs money landed in a hurry tonight.

"We just took a respected bet on Georgia +1, and we're down to pick," SuperBook risk manager Casey Degnon said via text, following within a few seconds with this: "Respected bet again at pick. We're at Georgia -1."

The total opened at 43 and immediately moved to 44 tonight.

Ohio State vs. Oregon Odds

• Opening point spread: Ohio State -1
• Opening moneyline: Ohio State -120/Ohio State even
• Opening total: Over/Under 53.5 points scored
• Time: 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, Jan. 1 (ESPN)

UPDATE 3:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1: As kickoff approaches, Ohio State is -2.5 (-115) in BetMGM's College Football Playoff quarterfinal odds. The Buckeyes opened -1.5 and spent most of the past 10 days or so at various iterations of -2.5.

"Oregon looks like the best result for the book, both moneyline and +2.5," BetMGM trading manager Seamus Magee said. "We're gonna need Under 55.5, too. Lots of interest in the Over so far."

BetMGM opened the total at 52.5, peaked at 56.5 (Under -115) this morning and is now 55.5 (Over -115).

Here's our DraftKings promo code for the big Oregon vs Ohio State game!

UPDATE 1 P.M. ET MONDAY, DEC. 30: Two days ahead of the Rose Bowl, Ohio State is laying 2.5 points in Borgata Sports' College Football Playoff odds for the quarterfinals.

"We opened Ohio State -1.5 and immediately took some respected money laying the 1.5. It’s been 2.5 since, and we have seen good two-way action at that number," Borgata sportsbook director Tom Gable said.

The total is out to 55.5 from a 52.5 opener.

UPDATE 3:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY, DEC. 26: The Buckeyes are out to -2.5 from a -1 opener in College Football Playoff odds for the quarterfinals at ESPNBET. That said, spread tickets are running dead even, and the Ducks are seeing 61% of early spread money.

The total is up to 55.5 (Over -115) from a 53.5 opener. It's practically all Over action thus far, at 89% of tickets/98% of money.

UPDATE 11:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY, DEC. 21: No. 8 seed Ohio State (11-2 SU/7-6 ATS plastered No. 9 Tennessee 42-17 giving 7.5 points at home tonight. The Buckeyes now head to the Rose Bowl against No. 1 Oregon, in a rematch of a regular-season thriller.

In Week 7, the Ducks and Buckeyes were in a back-and-forth battle. Oregon, a 3.5-point home underdog, prevailed 32-31 on a field goal with under two minutes remaining.

The Ducks (13-0 SU/7-6 ATS) are the only unbeaten FCS team. Oregon outlasted Penn State 45-37 in the Big Ten Championship Game, covering as a 3.5-point favorite to get a first-round bye.

Interestingly, The SuperBook opened Ohio State vs. Oregon at Buckeyes -1 in the College Football Playoff odds quarterfinal market. There's been no movement so far.

"I think this game will get very good handle and will be very split, action-wise," SuperBook risk manager Casey Degnon said. "A big game with a low spread is a good recipe for good handle."

Texas vs. Arizona State Odds

• Opening point spread: Texas -14
• Opening moneyline: Texas -550/Arizona State +425
• Opening total: Over/Under 52 points scored
• Time: 1 p.m. ET Wednesday, Jan. 1 (ESPN)

UPDATE NOON ET WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1: An hour before kickoff, Texas is laying 13.5 points in BetMGM's quarterfinal College Football Playoff odds. That's where the Longhorns opened; on Tuesday, they were -12.5, and this morning, the line was -13.

Action on the spread favors Texas, but it's not overwhelming. On the moneyline, Arizona State is taking a lot of tickets, currently at +450.

"Above all, we need a Texas win. Plenty of bettors are taking a shot on Arizona State moneyline," BetMGM trading manager Seamus Magee said. "We'd also like to see this game stay Under 51.5. The public and sharps appear to be on the same side there."

The total opened at 50.5 and is now out to 52.5 (Under -115).

"The ideal result for the book is Texas winning, ASU covering and Under 51.5. That would be a great way to start the new year," Magee said.

UPDATE 1 P.M. ET MONDAY, DEC. 30: Texas opened as 13.5-point chalk in Borgata Sports' College Football Playoff quarterfinal odds. The Longhorns touched -14, but are now down to -12.5, with 48 hours until kickoff.

"Interestingly, we have more money wagered on Arizona State than any of the other playoff teams right now. That money came in at +14, +13.5 and +13," Borgata sportsbook director Tom Gable said, noting some of that action was sharp money on the Sun Devils.

The total opened at 50.5, peaked at 52.5 and is now at 51.

UPDATE 3:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY, DEC. 26: Texas is up to -13.5 from a -12.5 opener in ESPNBET's College Football Playoff quarterfinal odds. Point-spread ticket count is running 2/1 and spread money 3/1 on the Longhorns.

The total opened at 51.5 and is now 51.5 (Over -115), with early tickets and money 8/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 8 P.M. ET SATURDAY, DEC. 21: No. 5 seed Texas (12-2 SU/8-6 ATS) built a 28-10 halftime lead and fended off No. 12 Clemson from there in a 38-24 victory tonight. The Longhorns narrowly covered as 13.5-point home favorites.

Next up: A Peach Bowl date against No. 4 Arizona State.

The Sun Devils (11-2 SU and ATS) won the Big 12 title and got bye through the first round of the CFP. Arizona State was a 1.5-point underdog in the conference title game and hammered Iowa State 45-19.

Use our best sportsbook bonus codes for this CFP game!

ASU boasts the second-best spread-covering mark in the nation, behind only Marshall (10-1-1 ATS). The Sun Devils cashed in their last six games and are 8-1 ATS in their last nine.

The SuperBook opened Texas as hefty 14-point chalk, with a total of 52. There's no early movement on the spread, but the total quickly went to 53, then settled at 52.5.

"Some smaller bets on Arizona State plus the points, but nothing significant," SuperBook risk manager Casey Degnon said.

Penn State vs Boise State Odds

• Opening point spread: Penn State -10
• Opening moneyline: Penn State -360/Boise State +300
• Opening total: Over/Under 54.5 points scored
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET Tuesday, Dec. 31 (ESPN)

UPDATE 5 ET TUESDAY, DEC. 31: With 2.5 hours until kickoff, Penn State is up to 12.5-point chalk in DraftKings Sportsbook's College Football Playoff quarterfinal odds. The Nittany Lions opened -10.5 on Dec. 21 and initially slid to -9.5.

But the line quickly returned to Penn State -10.5, and for the past few days, it's toggled between -11/-11.5. This afternoon, the line climbed to -12/-12.5.

All that noted, it's two-way action on the point spread. Perhaps surprisingly, DraftKings needs the Fiesta Bowl favorite, as noted in this comment from the trading room, relayed by DK's Julian Edlow:

"Between game and future liability on Boise State, the book is rooting for Penn State to cover the spread in a low-scoring game tonight.”

The total opened at 53.5, bottomed out at 52 a couple times and is now at its peak of 55. The Over is netting 72% of bets/75% of money.

UPDATE 1 P.M. ET MONDAY, DEC. 30: Borgata Sports, a BetMGM shop in Atlantic City, opened Penn State -10.5 and is now -11

"Much like Penn State's game against SMU, we will see plenty of local, recreational Penn State money," Borgata sportsbook director Tom Gable said. "I could see this game creep slightly higher on the spread. Boise State seems to be relishing the underdog role here, so we will see if they can keep it close."

The total is stable at 52.5.

UPDATE 3:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY, DEC. 26: ESPNBET pegged Penn State -11 when this line opened six days ago. And the Nittany Lions are -11 this afternoon.

That said, early spread bettors are leaning into Penn State, at 73% of tickets and 63% of money.

The total dipped from 53.5 to 52.5. Still, 76% of tickets/65% of dollars are on the Over.

UPDATE 3:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY, DEC. 20: No. 6 seed Penn State rebounded just fine from a Big Ten championship loss to Oregon. The Nittany Lions boatraced SMU 38-10 in a CFP first-round game today, easily cashing as 9-point home favorites.

So Penn State (12-2 SU/7-7 ATS) moves on to face No. 3 seed Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. The Broncos (12-1 SU/7-5-1 ATS) reached the CFP as the highest-ranked conference champion among Group of 5 schools.

Try our bet365 bonus code today!

Boise State beat UNLV 21-7 laying 4 points at home in the Mountain West title game. Since Boise State finished ahead of ACC champ Clemson in the CFP rankings, the Broncos got a bye, as well.

But a rested Boise State squad didn't impress oddsmakers. Penn State opened -10.5 (-105) in The SuperBook's College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Odds, with a total of 54.5.

"More tickets and money on Penn State early. But nothing significant enough to move the line," SuperBook risk manager Casey Degnon said. "I think Penn State will be the more popular side among the public. And I imagine Penn State moneyline will be tied to a ton of parlays."

Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson