The college football landscape has experienced a tidal shift in the powers that be, pun intended. The Alabama Crimson Tide are no longer the team to beat as the Georgia Bulldogs have reeled off back-to-back titles.
And don’t sleep on the Big 10! The Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes are loaded again and both are poised to make runs at the College Football Playoff (CFP).
The 2023 college football season begins on Saturday, August 26. Some big teams kick off their schedules like Notre Dame hosting Navy (in Dublin, Ireland) and San Jose State traveling to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to face USC.
Speaking of USC, Caleb Williams will vie to be just the second back-to-back winner of the Heisman Trophy Award. He’s the early favorite to win, but there are a number of players like Quinn Ewers, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and Michael Penix Jr. looking to make their mark on the 2023-2024 NCAAF season.
NCAAF Season Predictions 2023-2024
| TGD Staff | Natl Champs | ACC | AAC | Big 10 | Big 12 | CUSA | MAC | MWC | Pac 12 | SEC | Sun Belt | Make CFP | Undefeated | Heisman | QB Passing Prop | RB Rushing Prop | WR/TE Receiving Prop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Ammirante | Ohio St. | Clemson | SMU | Ohio St. | Texas | WKU | Toledo | Boise St. | USC | Georgia | Coastal Carolina | USC | Ohio St. | Drake Maye | Drake Maye Over 3100.5 pass yds | Trey Benson Over 1025.5 rush yds | Marvin Harrison Jr. Over 11.5 rec TDs |
| Jeff Hicks | Georgia | Clemson | Tulane | Ohio St. | Texas | WKU | Toledo | Fresno St. | Oregon | Georgia | South Alabama | Michigan | Michigan | Drake Maye | Bo Nix Over 2900.5 pass yds | Blake Corum Under 1025.5 rush yds | Brock Bowers Over 715.5 rec yds |
| Lance Patton | Michigan | Clemson | UTSA | Michigan | Oklahoma | WKU | Miami (OH) | Air Force | USC | Georgia | Coastal Carolina | Clemson | Michigan | Cade Klubnik | J.J. McCarthy Over 2625.5 pass yds | Will Shipley Over 11.5 rush TDs | Malik Nabers Over 950.5 rec yds |
| Matt De Lima | Georgia | Florida St. | Tulane | Michigan | Texas | WKU | Ohio | Boise St. | USC | Georgia | South Alabama | Michigan | Florida St. | Jordan Travis | Jordan Travis Over 2675.5 pass yds | Trey Benson Over 1025.5 rush yds | Malik Nabers Over 950.5 rec yds |
| Pat Pickens | Alabama | Florida St. | Tulane | Michigan | Texas | Liberty | Ohio | Boise St. | USC | Alabama | Coastal Carolina | Alabama | Michigan | Jordan Travis | Jordan Travis Over 24.5 pass TDs | Blake Corum Over 10.5 rush TDs | Marvin Harrison Jr. Over 11.5 rec TDs |
| Sam Wagman | Georgia | Clemson | SMU | Ohio St. | Texas | WKU | Buffalo | Boise St. | Washington | Georgia | Coastal Carolina | Ohio St. | Ohio St. | Michael Penix Jr. | Sam Hartman Over 26.5 pass TDs | Blake Corum Over 1025.5 rush yds | Marvin Harrison Jr. Over 11.5 rec TDs |
Keep track of the latest CFB futures odds this season:
There was some consensus among The Game Day staff in most of these predictions. Sure, three picked Georgia to win it all, but the rest of the predictions, in perhaps a preview of the CFP, were rounded out with Michigan, Ohio State, and Alabama.
Clemson, Texas, WKU, Boise State, and USC also were popular picks to win their conferences. The ACC dominated the choices to win the Heisman, as Florida State’s Jordan Travis, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik earned five of the six staff predictions.
College Football Playoff National Championship 2023-2024 Prediction
- Frank Ammirante: Ohio State
- Jeff Hicks: Georgia
- Matt De Lima: Georgia
- Lance Patton: Michigan
- Pat Pickens: Alabama
- Sam Wagman: Georgia
CFB National Champion: Georgia Bulldogs (+220)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
Georgia is set up quite nicely to once again run through the CFB landscape. Besides returning stars, Brock Bowers and Kendall Milton, QB Carson Beck is set to take the reins of this offense.
Look for Georgia to resume their place at the top of not only the SEC, but all of college football. TGD’s Lance Patton breaks down the betting favorite, best bet, sleeper, and team to fade when betting on NCAAF National Championship odds. — SAM WAGMAN
NCAAF CFB Conference Winner Predictions 2023-2024
ACC Champion Prediction
- Frank Ammirante: Clemson
- Jeff Hicks: Clemson
- Lance Patton: Clemson
- Matt De Lima: Florida State
- Pat Pickens: Florida State
- Sam Wagman: Clemson
ACC Winner: Clemson Tigers (+145)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
A lot of excitement is warranted with the arrival of Garrett Riley as OC. The former TCU play caller made 3-star talent NFL Draft prospects, so imagine what he can do in a down conference with 5-star talent.
I am also excited for freshman RB Jarvis Green. RB coach CJ Spiller is going to have fun with him. — JEFF HICKS
Follow along with our CFB best bets all season.
AAC Champion Prediction
- Frank Ammirante: SMU
- Jeff Hicks: Tulane
- Lance Patton: UTSA
- Matt De Lima: Tulane
- Pat Pickens: Tulane
- Sam Wagman: SMU
AAC Winner: Tulane Green Wave (+210)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
The AAC said goodbye to Houston, Cincinnati, and UCF but not its reigning conference champion. The Green Wave surprised by going from worst to first and capped their championship season with a stunning come-from-behind win over USC in the Cotton Bowl.
Tulane returns senior quarterback Michael Pratt and added RB Shedro Louis from Liberty along with wide receivers Yukeith Brown (Texas A&M) and Dontae Fleming (Louisiana) plus tight end Chris Carter from South Florida. — PAT PICKENS
Big 10 Champion Prediction
- Frank Ammirante: Ohio State
- Jeff Hicks: Ohio State
- Lance Patton: Michigan
- Matt De Lima: Michigan
- Pat Pickens: Michigan
- Sam Wagman: Ohio State
Big 10 Winner: Ohio State Buckeyes (+165)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
The defense has to improve, right? If not, kiss the Big Ten title goodbye. Kyle McCord is enough at QB… if he wins the QB battle.
The offense will hum, but I think it remains a top unit if McCord is starting from Day 1. Three tough road games could make or break their CFP hopes. — JEFF HICKS
Big 12 Champion Prediction
- Frank Ammirante: Texas
- Jeff Hicks: Texas
- Lance Patton: Oklahoma
- Matt De Lima: Texas
- Pat Pickens: Texas
- Sam Wagman: Texas
Big 12 Winner: Texas Longhorns (+105)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
The Longhorns come in as heavy favorites to win the Big 12, boasting Heisman candidate Quinn Ewers at quarterback behind a stout offensive line and strong receiving core.
Look for Ewers to make major strides as a passer, taking the Longhorns to the next level in his junior season. — FRANK AMMIRANTE
Conference USA Champion Prediction
- Frank Ammirante: WKU
- Jeff Hicks: WKU
- Lance Patton: WKU
- Matt De Lima: WKU
- Pat Pickens: Liberty
- Sam Wagman: WKU
C-USA Winner: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (+130)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
The conference has been rocked by realignment with three teams moving to the Sun Belt before last season and six more going to the AAC this offseason.
WKU is the early favorite, though the Hilltoppers haven’t won Conference USA since they took home consecutive titles in 2015 and 2016. Head coach Tyson Helton leads a fierce offense, supplemented by QB-WR duo Austin Reed and Malachi Corley.
The Liberty Flames should also challenge early as one of the new arrivals to the conference with a solid roster and a new head coach Jamey Chadwell, former HC at Coastal Carolina. After five unaffiliated years, Liberty joins the conference, along with New Mexico State, Jacksonville State, Sam Houston, and Kennesaw State joins in 2024. — MATT DE LIMA
MAC Champion Prediction
- Frank Ammirante: Toledo
- Jeff Hicks: Toledo
- Lance Patton: Miami (OH)
- Matt De Lima: Ohio
- Pat Pickens: Ohio
- Sam Wagman: Buffalo
MAC Winner: Toledo (+170)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
Toledo looks poised to win the MAC for the second consecutive year. The Rockets are headlined by a strong offensive line that is expected to have four of their starters back in the fold.
That type of continuity up front should help senior quarterback Dequan Finn provide stability under center, just like he did last season. — FRANK AMMIRANTE
MWC Champion Prediction
- Frank Ammirante: Boise State
- Jeff Hicks: Fresno State
- Lance Patton: Air Force
- Matt De Lima: Boise State
- Pat Pickens: Boise State
- Sam Wagman: Boise State
MWC Winner: Boise State Broncos (+175)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
The Broncos boast one of the most feared rushing trios in college football, with QB Taylen Green and RBs George Holani and Ashton Jeanty combining for over 2,500 yards on the ground last season.
The team doesn’t have the easiest schedule, but has a strong chance to have the best offense in the MWC and could bowl over defenses with their firepower. — SAM WAGMAN
Pac 12 Champion Prediction
- Frank Ammirante: USC
- Jeff Hicks: Oregon
- Lance Patton: USC
- Matt De Lima: USC
- Pat Pickens: USC
- Sam Wagman: Washington
Pac 12 Winner: USC Trojans (+190)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
Everything is in place for USC to leave the Pac-12 as champions. The Trojans return reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams to Lincoln Riley’s offense, which averaged 41.4 points per game in 2022.
The Trojans also worked the transfer portal to iron out their suspect defense. Plus, Utah is down, and you can bet everyone on the USC side of LA is licking their chops to get a shot at a conference title and CFP berth this year. — PAT PICKENS
SEC Champion Prediction
- Frank Ammirante: Georgia
- Jeff Hicks: Georgia
- Lance Patton: Georgia
- Matt De Lima: Georgia
- Pat Pickens: Alabama
- Sam Wagman: Georgia
SEC Winner: Georgia Bulldogs (-105)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
The back-to-back national champions feel like a stone-cold lock to make the SEC Championship.
With just about as easy of a schedule as you can get in the SEC, they’re about as close to a lock as it gets to take home the hardware. The Bulldogs dismantled LSU in the championship last year, and Alabama has a ton of question marks, so I’ll be backing the Dawgs to win the SEC again in 2023. — LANCE PATTON
Sun Belt Champion Prediction
- Frank Ammirante: Coastal Carolina
- Jeff Hicks: South Alabama
- Lance Patton: Coastal Carolina
- Matt De Lima: South Alabama
- Pat Pickens: Coastal Carolina
- Sam Wagman: Coastal Carolina
Sun Belt Winner: South Alabama Jaguars (+330)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
A stacked South Alabama team with a ton of returning starters gets the edge over Troy. QB Carter Bradley and RB La’Damian Webb are the two centerpieces of the offense.
The Jaguars had the third-best run defense last year and have special talents at safety between Yam Banks and Jaden Voison.
Troy poises the most significant threat, and they won the Sun Belt last season. The conference is wide open though with no clear-cut betting favorite. — MATT DE LIMA
NCAAF CFB Season Specials
Make College Football Playoff
- Frank Ammirante: USC
- Jeff Hicks: Michigan
- Lance Patton: Clemson
- Matt De Lima: Michigan
- Pat Pickens: Alabama
- Sam Wagman: Ohio State
Make CFP: Ohio State Buckeyes (+115)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
Ohio State is perennially one of the most feared teams in college football and has had one of the top offenses over the past few seasons, led by C.J. Stroud. With Stroud now in the NFL, Kyle McCord should be able to pick up right where Stroud left off, thanks to Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Julian Fleming to make things easy for him.
Besides them, TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams will be there to run the rock down teams’ throats. The Buckeyes’ offense could be absolutely scary this season, and I’m not sure a team has the firepower to beat them and prevent them from making the CFP once again. — SAM WAGMAN
Undefeated Regular Season
- Frank Ammirante: Ohio State
- Jeff Hicks: Michigan
- Lance Patton: Michigan
- Matt De Lima: Florida State
- Pat Pickens: Michigan
- Sam Wagman: Ohio State
Undefeated Regular Season: Michigan Wolverines (+360)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
I’m incredibly high on Michigan this year and they check all the boxes of a team ready to go undefeated in the regular season for the second consecutive year.
The run game with Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum – behind one of the best offensive lines in the nation – is lethal and J.J. McCarthy should be even better in Year 2 at the helm. Jim Harbaugh has figured out how to beat Ohio State and has the Wolverines primed for another fantastic season. — LANCE PATTON
NCAAF CFB Player Awards & Props
Win Heisman Trophy
- Frank Ammirante: Drake Maye
- Jeff Hicks: Drake Maye
- Lance Patton: Cade Klubnik
- Matt De Lima: Jordan Travis
- Pat Pickens: Jordan Travis
- Sam Wagman: Michael Penix Jr.
Heisman Trophy Winner: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina Tar Heels (+1800)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
Bet on talent. While Caleb Williams is THE QB entering this season, his Heisman odds are less favorable at +550; Maye is on his heels as a top prospect for a better value.
Williams is going to be under the largest microscope, while Maye has a chance to perform in a down conference and do his best to sway voters away from Williams.
He should end this season as UNC’s best QB ever. — JEFF HICKS
Quarterbacks: Passing Prop
- Frank Ammirante: Drake Maye Over 3100.5 pass yds
- Jeff Hicks: Bo Nix Over 2900.5 pass yds
- Lance Patton: J.J. McCarthy Over 2625.5 pass yds
- Matt De Lima: Jordan Travis Over 2675.5 pass yds
- Pat Pickens: Jordan Travis Over 24.5 pass TDs
- Sam Wagman: Sam Hartman Over 26.5 pass TDs
Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State Seminoles • Over 24.5 passing TDs (-112)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
Travis threw exactly 24 touchdown passes last year and the only way he shouldn’t exceed that this year is an injury. Travis could also benefit from playing as many as three extra games — the ACC Championship Game plus either a bowl game or up to two College Football Playoff games.
If he and the Noles play just a bowl game, and not the ACC Championship, Travis would need to average only 1.9 TDs per game for this prop to hit. — PAT PICKENS
Running Backs: Rushing Prop
- Frank Ammirante: Trey Benson Over 1025.5 rush yds
- Jeff Hicks: Blake Corum Over 1025.5 rush yds
- Lance Patton: Will Shipley Over 11.5 rush TDs
- Matt De Lima: Trey Benson Over 1025.5 rush yds
- Pat Pickens: Blake Corum Over 10.5 rush TDs
- Sam Wagman: Blake Corum Under 1025.5 rush yds
Trey Benson, RB, Florida State Seminoles • Over 1,025.5 rushing yards (-112)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
Trey Benson rushed for 990 yards on 154 carries (6.4 YPC) in his first year as starting running back for Florida State after he transferred from Oregon.
Benson’s final stats are a bit skewed by a game where he only had four carries for 10 yards against Wake Forest.
The Seminoles’ running game is expected to be highly efficient once again, giving Benson a chance to fly Over this number as long as he stays healthy. — FRANK AMMIRANTE
Wide Receivers & Tight Ends: Receiving Prop
- Frank Ammirante: Marvin Harrison Jr. Over 11.5 rec TDs
- Jeff Hicks: Brock Bowers Over 715.5 rec yds
- Lance Patton: Malik Nabers Over 950.5 rec yds
- Matt De Lima: Malik Nabers Over 950.5 rec yds
- Pat Pickens: Marvin Harrison Jr. Over 11.5 rec TDs
- Sam Wagman: Marvin Harrison Jr. Over 11.5 rec TDs
Malik Nabers, WR, LSU Tigers • Over 950.5 receiving yards (-118)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
Malik Nabers was a solid option all season long but transcended to new heights late in the year – catching 28 passes for 489 yards and two scores in the last four games.
Kayshon Boutte is gone and Nabers is now the clear alpha of this room, and with Jayden Daniels returning, he should cross the 1,000-yard threshold and go over his receiving yards total prop with room to spare. — LANCE PATTON
