National Championship Odds: Michigan Benefits from Ohio State’s Loss

National Championship Odds: Michigan Benefits from Ohio State’s Loss article feature image
Credit:

Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Michigan Wolverines carry the Paul Bunyan Trophy out of Spartan Stadium

  • Michigan's national championship odds improved from 25-1 to 12-1 following Week 8.
  • Alabama and Clemson also saw their odds improve.
  • Ohio State unsurprisingly was the biggest loser of Week 8, moving from 5-1 to 10-1.

Following the eighth week of the college football season, Westgate has released updated futures odds on winning the national championship.

The top two names should come as no surprise, although you might be caught off guard by just how likely Alabama is to win the College Football Playoff.

Of course, Ohio State's loss to Purdue caused some shakeups near the top of the list. Michigan unsurprisingly benefited the most from the Buckeyes' defeat, moving all the way from +2500 to +1200.

Below are all the current Westgate odds.

Table sorts by preseason odds. Click on a date to sort.

Risers

Michigan: +2500 to +1200 (3.85% to 7.69% implied probability)

Week 8 @ Michigan State: Won 21-7

Michigan's defense took care of Sparty with ease on Saturday as the Wolverines enjoyed a two-touchdown win as 7.5-point favorites.

Their victory wasn't the main reason for this odds jump, though. That would be Ohio State's 29-point upset loss to Purdue, ridding the Big Ten of any undefeated teams.

Alabama: -200 to -250 (66.67% to 71.43% implied probability)

Week 8 @ Tennessee: Won 58-21

Not that anyone was expecting Bama to struggle with Tennessee on Saturday, but the Tide still saw a pretty significant rise in odds following Week 8.

Alabama will play at No. 4 LSU in two weeks with both teams fresh off byes.

Clemson: +400 to +350 (20% to 22.22% implied probability)

Week 8 vs. N.C. State: 41-7

In a similar spot, Clemson easily took care of business on Saturday as an 18-point favorite. Like those of the other risers on this list, the Tigers' odds benefited from Ohio State's loss, as the top teams were able to distance themselves from the pack.

Fallers

Ohio State: +500 to +1000 (16.67% to 9.09%)

Week 8 @ Purdue: Lost 49-20

I don't think much more needs be said about Ohio State. Obviously a 29-point loss as a 12-point favorite is going to hurt a team's title odds. There is some silver lining in this loss for any Buckeyes hopeful, however.

At +1000, this is probably the best payout you'll be able to get on OSU for as long as it has a legitimate shot at making the playoff.

Georgia: +800 to +1200 (11.11% to 7.69% implied probability)

Week 8: Bye

Even though they didn't play, the Bulldogs still managed a pretty significant odds fall after Week 8, perhaps a sign that oddsmakers didn't feel they adjusted enough for Georgia's loss to LSU two weeks ago.



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