The 2021 college football season is set to start on time, and the usual contenders are listed as the favorites to win the National Championship. Below, we look at the odds to win the 2022 CFP National Championship, with college football picks, predictions and best bets.
Head coach Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide are listed as the favorites to win the championship again this season. Clemson and Ohio State are also right in the mix, as per usual.
Also see: 2021 college football team win totals
2022 CFP National Championship picks
Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, Aug. 24.
Alabama Crimson Tide (+250)
The Crimson Tide are considered the chalk, but they have a lot of pieces to replace. Can Saban and company easily replace the likes of RB Najee Harris, QB Mac Jones, OT Alex Leatherwood, Heisman Trophy winner WR DeVonta Smith, CB Patrick Surtain II and WR Jaylen Waddle?
All six were first-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. That’s quite a few elite pieces to try and replace.
Clemson Tigers (+350)
The Tigers also have some big shoes to fill, as the Jacksonville Jaguars nabbed both QB Trevor Lawrence and RB Travis Etienne in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Still, QB D.J. Uiagalelei received some work under center last season, and he should be able to tap into that experience to hit the ground running in his first full season as the starter for head coach Dabo Swinney. The defense is still legit, too, with several NFL-caliber players.
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Ohio State Buckeyes (+550)
Like the top contenders above, The Ohio State University has some huge voids to fill. QB Justin Fields is now plying his trade with the Chicago Bears, but all indications from Columbus are that QB C.J. Stroud is the real deal. Add in the fact the Bucks have a top-notch offensive line, experience with RB Master Teague III and solid pass-catchers in WR Chris Olave, TE Jeremy Ruckert and WR Garrett Wilson.
There are some early questions about the defense, but they’ll catch up and the Buckeyes will put points on the board.
Also see: CFP National Championship odds
Oklahoma Sooners (+800)
The Sooners have a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate in QB Spencer Rattler, who is getting a ton of preseason hype. It is warranted, too, as head coach Lincoln Riley has made a habit of working his magic with Oklahoma quarterbacks.
The Sooners made plenty of headlines in the offseason about a future move to the SEC, but a big-time offense and solid defense could help them make noise on the field of play, too.
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North Carolina Tar Heels (+5000)
If you’re looking for a bit of a sleeper with some longer odds, look no further than head coach Mack Brown’s Tar Heels. UNC will have Kenan Stadium rocking this fall, led by Heisman Trophy candidate QB Sam Howell.
Incoming transfer RB Ty Chandler should make an immediate splash, and WR Gavin Blackwell is a freshman who is also expected to make a huge impact. WR Josh Downs is a star in the making, too. There are some questions about the defense, but the offense should put up a healthy amount of points.
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College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin
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