What will it take for fans to stop betting on Colorado?
The Buffaloes have the most win total wagers of any team at BetMGM ahead of the 2024 college football season, and they also have the most wagers on both over and under 5.5 win totals of any team. Colorado is +2000 to make the first 12-team playoff, with 12.3% of wagers on teams making the playoffs being bet on the Buffaloes.
Colorado's winning percentage should probably be higher than 20-1, given the issues that plagued the team in coach Deion Sanders' first year. Coach Sanders revamped the roster when he arrived in Boulder, but the team's weaknesses on both the offensive and defensive lines were exploited by stronger teams. Colorado QB Shedul Sanders was sacked over 50 times in 2023.
Strengthening the offensive line was Colorado's biggest priority during the offseason, but it's hard to build a solid, consistent offensive line in just one season. Additionally, Colorado must also find someone to run the ball. The team's top three rushers entered the transfer portal after the season. Former Ohio State running back Darran Hayden appears to be the front-runner to be the Buffaloes' starting back in 2024.
Colorado's schedule is no joke, either. The Buffaloes return to the Big 12 with seven games against teams that played in bowls in 2023, plus visits to Nebraska and Colorado State, two teams that should be pretty good in 2024. Oh, and the season starts with a visit to FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, which is no small feat. The Buffaloes are no strangers to wins against FBS opponents to start the season.
Just making it to a bowl game would be a great season for Colorado.
Nearly half of the funding goes to Ohio State University.
Bets on Colorado and Ohio State to make the playoffs account for more than 60% of BetMGM's volume, and betting on Ohio State makes a lot more sense than betting on Colorado.
Ohio State has odds of making the playoffs at -750, nearly 49%. The Buckeyes started the season at -550 to make the playoffs, and their odds are only getting better as they are the favorites to win the national title. Ohio State returns a lot of talent on defense and adds former Kansas State QB Will Howard and former Mississippi RB Quinshon Judkins to their offense. This could truly be a make-it-or-lose-it season for Columbus.
Overall, there are eight teams with odds of making the playoffs that are better than even. Georgia is the second-best favorite at -500, Oregon is -250 and Texas is -225. Notre Dame is the fifth-best favorite at -165 with the addition of former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard and games at Texas A&M and USC as well as a home game against Florida State scheduled. The remaining games are manageable enough for the Irish, and a 2-1 record in those three games would be enough to make the playoffs.
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Ohio State University (-750)
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Georgia (-500)
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Oregon (-250)
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Texas (-225)
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Notre Dame (-165)
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Ole Miss (-130)
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Pennsylvania State University (-130)
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Michigan (-110)
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Alabama (+115)
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LSU (+120)
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Florida State University (+150)
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Missouri (+180)
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Tennessee (+180)
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Clemson (+210)
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Miami (+225)
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Kansas State University (+275)
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Utah (+280)
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Texas A&M (+300)
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USC (+400)
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Oklahoma (+500)
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Louisville (+500)
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North Carolina State University (+500)
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Kansas (+600)
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Arizona (+650)
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Iowa (+650)
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Auburn (+700)
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Washington (+800)
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Wisconsin (+1000)
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Nebraska (+1800)
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Colorado (+2000)
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Florida (+2500)
