CFP Look-Ahead Odds for Quarterfinals: Hypothetical Round 2 Matchups & Betting Lines
The inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff gets underway on Friday night with Indiana and Notre Dame kicking things off before three games on Saturday.
We analyze the CFP look-ahead odds and the hypothetical matchups for Round 2, with a breakdown of the quarterfinal betting lines. Our College Football Playoff bracket lists all potential pairings for when the postseason dwindles to eight teams.
The hypothetical second-round spreads tell the story of the favorites at the best college football betting sites. Oregon and Texas are huge favorites regardless of their quarterfinal opponents, whereas Georgia has a potentially tough draw.
Our college football bowl game opt-out tracker has you covered with the latest opt-out news and the impact on the college bowl game odds.
College Football Playoff quarterfinal look-ahead odds
Odds via FanDuel as of Dec. 20.
| Bowl game | Matchup | Spread | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiesta Bowl | Penn State vs. Boise State | Penn State -11.5 | 54.5 |
| SMU vs. Boise State | SMU vs. -6.5 | 59.5 | |
| Peach Bowl | Texas vs. Arizona State | Texas -13.5 | 51.5 |
| Clemson vs. Arizona State | Clemson -4.5 | 53.5 | |
| Rose Bowl | Tennessee vs. Oregon | Oregon -4.5 | 52.5 |
| Ohio State vs. Oregon | Oregon -1.5 | 53.5 | |
| Sugar Bowl | Indiana vs. Georgia | Georgia -6.5 | 52.5 |
| Notre Dame vs. Georgia | Notre Dame -1.5 | 46.5 |
- Arizona State: The Sun Devils are significant underdogs against both of their potential opponents, despite earning a first-round bye as the Big 12 champion
- Boise State: The Broncos would be hefty underdogs against Penn State or SMU, which lands them in the same boat as the Sun Devils
- Oregon: The Ducks are the lone team of the four with first-round byes to be favored against either opponent
- Penn State: The Nittany Lions would be larger favorites in their second-round matchup against Boise State (-11.5) than they are to open the postseason versus SMU (-8.5)
- Texas: Sportsbooks list the Longhorns as double-digit favorites in their first two potential games, justifying their place as college football championship odds co-favorites
Look-ahead Fiesta Bowl odds
Penn State vs. Boise State odds
- When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- How to watch: ESPN
- Location: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.)
- Odds: Penn State -11.5 (-110 via FanDuel)
Penn State boasts the 10th-rated rush defense (103.8 yards per game). Oddsmakers seem confident the Nittany Lions could slow down Ashton Jeanty - let's be honest, there's no stopping him - which explains the spread.
Given each team's performance against Oregon, public money would likely pour in on Boise State +11.5.
SMU vs. Boise State odds
- When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- How to watch: ESPN
- Location: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Ariz.)
- Odds: SMU -6.5 (-114 via FanDuel)
SMU is one of three teams in the 12-team field with a better rush defense than Penn State. Yet, the Mustangs aren't favored as heavily over the Broncos. While Rhett Lashlee's men have been phenomenal this year, they aren't getting the respect of a powerhouse on the betting market.
Still, SMU is a near-touchdown favorite in this hypothetical Fiesta Bowl matchup. FanDuel's -114 odds on the 6.5-point line and public perception after a win over Penn State would likely see the Mustangs close as bigger favorites.
Look-ahead Peach Bowl odds
Texas vs. Arizona State odds matchups
- When: Wednesday, Jan. 1
- Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
- How to watch: ESPN
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- Odds: Texas -13.5 (-105 via FanDuel)
Texas is the only team with a chance to be a double-digit favorite in the first two rounds. If the Longhorns can beat Clemson - as our Clemson vs. Texas early picks predict - the books expect them to cruise by the Big 12 champions. Oddsmakers give the advantage to the top-15 rush defense against Cam Skattebo.
Arizona State is the best team against the spread in the country and Texas covers at only a 53.9% clip, so it'd be somewhat surprising if this spread closed near two touchdowns.
Clemson vs. Arizona State odds
- When: Wednesday, Jan. 1
- Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
- How to watch: ESPN
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- Odds: Clemson -4.5 (-110 via FanDuel)
This is one of the most surprising hypothetical spreads on the board. While the Sun Devils have been the better team lately, Clemson would need to take down two top-10 teams in as many games to reach this stage. Dabo Swinney is also one of just two active coaches with a national championship to his name.
Our knee-jerk reaction is that this is too many points to be giving in this game. It'd be one of the more intriguing second-round spreads to monitor with two conference champions squaring off.
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Look-ahead Rose Bowl odds
Ohio State vs. Oregon odds matchups
- When: Wednesday, Jan. 1
- Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET
- How to watch: ESPN
- Location: Rose Bowl Stadium (Pasadena, Calif.)
- Odds: Oregon -1.5 (-104 via FanDuel)
Despite Ohio State's recent slip-up against Michigan, the best sports betting apps still believe in Ryan Day's squad. Oregon won the first meeting by a mere point in Eugene. Even though the Ducks have been perfect to date, it doesn't seem the betting public is giving them enough respect, and this small spread is proof.
Tennessee vs. Oregon odds matchups
- When: Wednesday, Jan. 1
- Kickoff: 5 p.m. ET
- How to watch: ESPN
- Location: Rose Bowl Stadium (Pasadena, Calif.)
- Odds: Oregon -4.5 (-115 via FanDuel)
Many people might be puzzled to see Oregon listed as 4.5-point favorites against Tennessee. However, these teams are cut from the same cloth. They are two of three teams in the College Football Playoff with a top-15 total offense and defense, Texas being the other.
The Volunteers can make a statement going on the road and beating Ohio State in the first round. Unfortunately for Tennessee, the Ducks get a big home-field advantage in the quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl. It's not so bad after playing at The Horseshoe, though, right?
Look-ahead Sugar Bowl odds
Notre Dame vs. Georgia odds matchups
- When: Wednesday, Jan. 1
- Kickoff: 8:45 p.m. ET
- How to watch: ESPN
- Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
- Odds: Notre Dame -1.5 (-110 via FanDuel)
This spread will make jaws drop at first glance. However, it says more about Georgia's quarterback situation than anything else. Gunner Stockton was good during his SEC Championship cameo, but could he do enough in a full start to beat one of the hottest teams in the country?
The college football odds don't seem to think so, as they favor Notre Dame in this look-ahead spot. If this is the contest we get, expect the Bulldogs to be public darlings.
Indiana vs. Georgia odds matchups
- When: Wednesday, Jan. 1
- Kickoff: 8:45 p.m. ET
- How to watch: ESPN
- Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
- Odds: Georgia -6.5 (-106 via FanDuel)
As is the case with SMU, the betting world doesn't seem ready to welcome Indiana into its circle of trust just yet. The Hoosiers struggle against teams with prolific play in the trenches, and there is perhaps no program in the nation with more NFL-ready talent than Georgia.
The Bulldogs being 6.5-point favorites at FanDuel with uncertainty regarding their quarterback position makes us wonder what this hypothetical line would be if Carson Beck can suit up.
College Football Playoff expert picks
- Indiana vs. Notre Dame prediction
- Indiana vs. Notre Dame player prop picks
- Indiana vs. Notre Dame parlay picks
- SMU vs. Penn State prediction
- Clemson vs. Texas prediction
- College Football Playoff best bets
- College Football Playoff player prop bets
- College Football Playoff parlay picks
- College Football Playoff anytime touchdown scorer predictions
National Championship odds 2024-25
College football odds pages
| CFP National Championship Odds | SEC Odds | Big 12 Odds | Bowl Season Odds & Info |
| Heisman Trophy Odds | Big Ten Odds | Pac-12 Odds | |
| College Football Playoff Odds | Mountain West Odds | ACC Odds |
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