What will it take for fans to stop betting on Colorado?
The Buffaloes have the most total win bets of any team at BetMGM ahead of the 2024 college football season and they are also getting the most bets of any team, both above and below their win total of 5.5. Colorado is +2000 to make the first 12-team playoff and 12.3% of bets on teams making the playoff are on the Buffs.
Colorado’s odds should probably be longer than 20-1 given the issues the team faced in Deion Sanders’ first season. Sanders overhauled the roster when he arrived in Boulder and his team’s weaknesses on both the offensive and defensive lines were exploited by stronger teams. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders was sacked more than 50 times in 2023.
Addressing the offensive line was Colorado’s biggest priority this offseason, but building a solid and stable offensive line in just one season is difficult. Additionally, Colorado also needs to find someone who can run the ball. The team’s top three rushers entered the transfer portal after the season. Former Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden appears to be the early favorite to be the Buffs’ whistleblower in 2024.
Colorado’s schedule is no joke either. The Buffaloes are back in the Big 12 and have played seven games against teams that made bowls in 2023, along with visits to Nebraska and Colorado State – two teams that should be significantly better in 2024. Oh, the season kicks off with a visit from FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. That’s not a gimme; the Bison are no strangers to beating FBS opponents to start the season.
Just going to a bowl game would be a solid season for Colorado.
Nearly half of the money goes to Ohio State
The money spent on Colorado and Ohio State to make the playoffs makes up more than 60% of total revenue at BetMGM. And Ohio State’s money makes a lot more sense than Colorado’s money.
Nearly 49% of the title belongs to Ohio State to make the playoffs at -750. The Buckeyes opened at -550 to make the playoffs and their chances have only gotten better as they are the favorites to win the national title. Ohio State returns a ton of talent on defense and added former Kansas State QB Will Howard and former Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins on offense. It really could be a national title or bust season in Columbus.
Overall, there are eight teams with more than even money odds of making the playoffs. Georgia is the No. 2 favorite at -500, while Oregon is at -250 and Texas is at -225. Notre Dame is the No. 5 favorite at -165 thanks to the addition of ex-Duke QB Riley Leonard and a schedule that includes games at Texas A&M and USC and at home against Florida State. The rest of the slate is manageable enough for the Irish that a 2-1 record in those three games could be enough for a playoff berth.
-
Ohio State (-750)
-
Georgia (-500)
-
Oregon (-250)
-
Texel (-225)
-
Notre Dame (-165)
-
Ole Miss (-130)
-
Penn State (-130)
-
Michigan (-110)
-
Alabama (+115)
-
LSU (+120)
-
State of Florida (+150)
-
Missouri (+180)
-
Tennessee (+180)
-
Clemson (+210)
-
Miami (+225)
-
State of Kansas (+275)
-
Utah (+280)
-
Texas A&M (+300)
-
USC (+400)
-
Oklahoma (+500)
-
Louisville (+500)
-
NC State (+500)
-
Kansas (+600)
-
Arizona (+650)
-
Iowa (+650)
-
Chestnut brown (+700)
-
Washington (+800)
-
Wisconsin (+1000)
-
Nebraska (+1800)
-
Colorado (+2000)
-
Florida (+2500)
