College Football 2024 / 2025 Win Totals & Betting Odds
With 2024 college football season fast approaching, many fans and bettors are wondering about how the significant number of changes will reshape team strategies and affect this year’s championships. Some of these changes include the introduction of the transfer portal and an expanded 12-team college football playoff system and how the national champion is determined. Leading sportsbooks have just released the win total odds for this season,and we’ve decided to take a closer look at these college football predictions and offer some early expert insights into what to expect from each team.
2024 College Football Win Totals Odds
College Football Win Totals are bets placed on the total number of victories a college football team will accumulate during the 2024 season, and these exclude playoff and conference college football bowl games. Bettors decide whether a team will exceed or fall short of the predictions set by a sportsbook. These college football betting odds can change over the season based on various factors such as player injuries and significant games.
How To Read NCAAF College Football Odds for Win Totals
Before we get into the actual totals odds for the 2024 college football season, it's important for bettors to understand how to read these types of football odds. Odds are made up of two numbers for each team. The first number, for example, 7.5, represents the predicted victories. Bettors can wager whether the team will win more (over) or less (under) than this number. The second number, accompanied by either a plus (+) or minus (-) sign, indicates the payout structure. A plus sign means a $100 bet pays out the amount shown, while a minus sign means you need to bet the amount shown to win $100.
College Football Betting Lines: 2024/2025 Win Totals
Georgia: 10.5
Despite missing the playoffs last season, Georgia is expected to be a strong contender in the 12-team field this year, thanks to a promising young defense and quarterback Carson Beck leading the offense.
However, the team faces challenges, including a significant number of players leaving through the transfer portal and a notably tougher schedule. Key matchups for the Bulldogs in 2024 include games against Texas and Clemson, along with a challenging game against Ole Miss that is anticipated to be formidable.
Ohio: 10.5
With three consecutive losses to Michigan and a disappointing 2023 performance, there are growing concerns about Ryan Day’s ability to lead the team. However, Ohio has an advantage this year by retaining key players and gaining key talent through the transfer portal, including Quinshon Judkins and five-star safety Caleb Downs from Alabama.
They are predicted to win a series of games including matchups against Akron, Indiana, Iowa, Marshall, Michigan State, Nebraska, Purdue, Northwestern, and Western Michigan, and their toughest challenges are expected to form games against Michigan, Oregon, and Penn State.
In our opinion, given Ohio State's exceptional lineup and potential, reaching at least 11 wins, including a victory over Michigan, seems well within their reach.
Oregon: 10.5
This year, Oregon is transitioning to the Big Ten and features a powerful offensive lineup. This includes a seasoned offensive line, quarterback Dillon Gabriel who has joined as a transfer, and five-star transfer receiver Evan Stewart. These new members significantly enhance the team’s talent, especially under the guidance of head coach Dan Lanning.
Texas: 8.5
After winning the Big 12 and securing their first place in the College Football Playoffs, Texas is ready to move to the SEC with a talented roster. Quarterback Quinn Ewers leads the team into a challenging schedule, including games against Georgia and Michigan.
They are expected to challenge matchups at Arizona, Baylor, Cincinnati, Colorado, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Washington State, and West Virginia.
In our view, it's tough to expect Texas to win more than 9 regular season games. Despite having one of the strongest college football teams in years, the last time Texas achieved this feat was all the way back in 2008.
Alabama: 9.5
The retirement of Nick Saban marked a significant transition for this college football team and for the sport in general. Kalen DeBoer faces the challenge of maintaining Alabama's high standards amidst a tougher schedule and the departure of key players to the transfer portal after Saban's announcement.
This loss of significant talent for the 2024 season raises questions about Alabama's ability to secure more than 9.5 wins and we suggest a cautious outlook for Alabama's performance under new leadership.
Clemson: 9.5
Clemson has been absent from the College Football Playoff for the past three years, prompting concerns about Dabo Swinney's capability to reconstruct a defense following the departure of key players. Furthermore, doubts exist regarding whether Cade Klubnik and Garrett Riley can successfully steer the offense, especially given the constrained talent available in the wide receiver role.
Ole Miss: 9.5
Ole Miss has been given a prediction of 9.5 after achieving an unprecedented 11-win season. The team, under the guidance of Lane Kiffin, has effectively utilized the transfer portal to recruit top-tier defensive talent. This strategy positions the Rebels as strong competitors for the upcoming 12-team playoff.
Florida State: 9.5
Florida State's win total is set at 9.5 after narrowly missing the College Football Playoff. The Seminoles are undergoing significant roster changes with 15 new players being added to the team by coach Mike Norvell. This includes five players from Alabama and notably, quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who is expected to start in 2024.
LSU: 9.5
Following last season’s struggling defense, Brian Kelly focused on improving LSU's defense, during the offseason season. Hiring Blake Baker, the former Missouri defensive coordinator, also marks a significant move towards enhancing their defensive capabilities. On the offensive side, LSU plans to introduce a new strategy with Garrett Nussmeier as the quarterback.
Kansas State: 9.5
Kansas State is positioned as a strong contender in the Big 12 conference this season. The team's prospects are boosted by the return of quarterback Avery Johnson, who played a key role in a notable postseason victory against NC State.
The Wildcats have highly probable wins against Cincinnati and UT Martin, with no definite losses anticipated. However, several games are viewed as challenging, including matches against Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Tulane, and West Virginia.
Despite Kansas State's strong position, achieving more than ten regular season wins remains challenging, a feat Kansas last accomplished in 2012.
Michigan: 9.5
Michigan's total is set at 9.5 following significant changes within the team. As one of the top two teams in the conference, Michigan is in a period of transition with Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter departing and several key players moving on to the NFL. Sherrone Moore has taken over as head coach with an aim to bring stability and confidence to the team amidst these changes.
Penn State: 9.5
Over the past three seasons, betting on Penn State to win more than their set total has paid off, with the team securing 10 wins each year. However, regular defeats to Ohio State and Michigan have prevented Penn State from winning the Big Ten. This season, Tom Allen joins as the defensive coach to lead an already strong defense. Meanwhile, James Franklin has focused on maximizing the potential of Drew Allar, who is a former 5-star quarterback prospect.
Missouri: 9.5
Missouri's total is set at 9.5 following an exceptional 11-win season that led to the school's first top-10 college football ranking in ten years. Despite significant changes in the roster and coaching staff, Missouri remains competitive thanks to strategic defensive transfers and the return of key players Cook, Wease, and Burden. Coupled with a favorable schedule, the Tigers are poised to be strong contenders in 2024.
Utah: 9.5
The Utes are anticipated to compete for the title in the expanded Big 12 and are good contenders for the 12-team playoff, especially with the return of their veteran quarterback Cameron Rising.
UCLA: 5.5
UCLA's season is expected to see them with a win total of 5.5. With the appointment of new head coach DeShaun Foster, UCLA faces considerable uncertainty. However, they are expected to achieve at least four wins against Fresno State, Hawaii, and Indiana. They are expected to face tough challenges in the matches against LSU, Oregon, Penn State, and Washington. With the likelihood of at least one significant upset and two additional home game victories, we think that reaching six or 7 wins is a feasible target.
Rutgers: 6.5
Rutgers is projected to have a total of 6.5 for the upcoming season. Under the guidance of Greg Schiano, Rutgers is expected to field a stronger team, particularly after experiencing a winning season and participating in a bowl game. However, Rutgers has not had a regular season win total of 6.5 since 2014.
They are likely to find success in their games against Akron and Howard, which appear to be the more manageable matchups on their schedule. However, they face significant challenges in matches at USC and Washington, where defeats seem probable. In our opinion, achieving six wins is within reach but securing seven victories will present a significant challenge.
SMU: 7.5
For SMU, the defending American Athletic Conference champion has added more talent and is expected to secure enough victories to make an impact in its new conference. Aside from two victories over TCU, SMU has not defeated a Power Five program since the 2012 BBVA Compass Bowl against Pitt. The team is very likely to be victorious against Houston Christian. However, their games against Florida State and Louisville could prove difficult. The season also includes a number of toss-up games that could go either way against Boston College, BYU, Cal, Duke, Nevada, Pitt, Stanford, TCU, and Virginia.
Boston College: 4.5
Boston College is expected to face some challenges, but they won't be starting from scratch with a complete overhaul. With the skilled Bill O'Brien leading the team the Eagles are in a good spot to easily secure at least three wins. The team is anticipated to secure victories against Duquesne and WKU, and they are expected to have a solid foundation for the season. However, their games against Florida State and Missouri might not go in their favor.
Considering these factors, our prediction is that Boston College will outperform the initial win total, achieving more than 4.5 wins.
Arizona State: 4.5
Arizona State's season is expected to start with a win total of 4.5 and are currently an undervalued team in our opinion. They may emerge as a sleeper pick as the season approaches. Despite being in a rebuilding phase, the team is capable of securing wins, including a victory at UCLA and a narrow loss to Washington, Arizona State has the potential to achieve at least five, possibly six, wins this season.
The team is expected to win their games against Texas State and Wyoming, and lose to Utah. A challenging match awaits against Utah, where a loss is more likely. We think that it's reasonable to assume that Arizona State will win more than their anticipated 4.5 wins.
Oklahoma State: 7.5
Oklahoma State's performance in the Big 12 is variable. Since Mike Gundy became coach, the team has always won at least seven regular season games every year since 2018, and at least six games every year since 2005.
The team is likely to claim victories against South Dakota State and Tulsa. However, their schedule includes several unpredictable matchups against Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, BYU, Colorado, Kansas State, TCU, Texas Tech, Utah, and West Virginia.
Oklahoma: 7.5
Oklahoma is expected to exceed a win total of 7.5; failing to do so could significantly impact the program's direction in 2025. Coach Brent Venables faces pressure, as Oklahoma hasn't had fewer than seven regular-season wins since 1998, except for 2021. Given the five almost certain wins, Oklahoma needs to secure three additional victories, despite facing a challenging set of opponents in the SEC.
Stanford: 3.5
Stanford stands as a team with potential surprises. With expected wins against Cal Poly and San Jose State, the team needs just two additional victories to surpass expectations of a low win total of just 3.5. The geographical advantage of hosting several ACC teams and TCU in Palo Alto offers Stanford a good chance to find those needed wins among the balanced 50/50 games.
UCF: 8.5
UCF's expected win total for the upcoming season is set at 8.5. UCF appears to be a stronger team than it was during its challenging debut in the Big 12, and the team is projected to secure victories against New Hampshire and Sam Houston. However, achieving more than eight wins, despite what looks like a manageable college football schedule, may be overly optimistic.
Wake Forest: 4.5
Excluding 2020, Wake Forest has consistently achieved at least six regular-season wins since 2015 under coach Dave Clawson, suggesting a pattern of reaching beyond preliminary expectations. This season they're likely to secure three easy wins against NC A&T, Louisiana, and UConn, with these games seen as almost certain wins. Which means they will require just two additional victories to surpass the set total.
Minnesota: 4.5
Minnesota faces a challenging schedule but many reputable sportsbooks believe they can achieve at least 5 wins this season, with win total odds of 4.5. Historically, except for 2020, the team has actually won a minimum of five regular-season games since 2011. Led by coach PJ Fleck,
Minnesota is expected to secure sufficient victories at home, positioning them to achieve their goal. The team is anticipated to secure victories against Rhode Island and Nevada, which are considered almost certain wins. However, tough matches await at Michigan, Penn State, and USC, where losses are more likely.
Strategies for Betting on College Football Win Totals
For successful betting on football, and in particular on college football win totals, it’s essential to adopt use effective strategies and to conduct a detailed analysis of several key factors:
Analyze the Team's Schedule: Understanding the strength of a team's schedule is crucial. Teams facing tougher schedules may have difficulty achieving high win totals. Evaluating the balance between home and away games is also important since teams typically perform better in their home environment.
Evaluate the Team Composition: Consider the number of returning starters a team has. A high number of returning starters, especially in critical positions like quarterback, usually bodes well for team performance. Additionally, offseason changes in coaching staff or strategy can significantly affect a team's prospects.
Past Performance and Trends: A team's historical performance and recent trends can provide valuable insights into their future performances. Consistently strong teams are likely to continue performing well, whereas teams showing improvement in recent seasons might be able to exceed expectations.
Stay Informed on Player Conditions: Keeping up to date with key player injuries, suspensions, and significant off-field events is also important. Such factors can drastically change a team’s competitive edge and their likelihood of meeting their win total.
Paul Richard is a professional sports betting and casino content writer with over three years of experience. He provides expert tips, strategies, and betting advice to help bettors succeed.
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