Home Articles Between Bets: 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship ATS & Total Picks
Jeremiah Smith | 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship Picks

Between Bets: 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship ATS & Total Picks

by IBT Media Staff

“Between Bets” is an article series revealing our staff’s best wagers across the NFL, College Football, NASCAR and PGA Tour. This edition’s bets feature our favorite 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship picks for the ATS and totals markets.

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook | Rankings courtesy of the College Football Playoffs seeding

College Football Betting CTA

2024 College Football Playoff National Championship Picks

#8 Ohio State vs. #7 Notre Dame (College Football Playoff National Championship)

Monday, Jan. 20 @ 7:30 p.m. ET | Atlanta

Ohio State enters the title game 13-2 SU and 9-6 ATS, riding a three-game ATS streak after their loss to Michigan in the regular season. Their playoff run has been dominant, winning their last three games by an average of 19.7 points.

The Buckeyes boast the nation’s top-ranked total and scoring defense, a unit that has smothered opponents all season. CB Denzel Burke, one of the anchors of this elite defense, is expected to return after missing the second half of the Cotton Bowl. Offensively, Ohio State ranks 12th in scoring at 35.8 points per game and has stepped it up even further in the postseason, averaging 37 points in their last three outings. Between their high-octane passing game led by Will Howard, Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith and balanced rushing attack featuring TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, they are equipped to test Notre Dame’s strong defensive front.

Notre Dame has been on a dream run, winning 12 straight games to get to 14-1 SU and an incredible 12-2-1 ATS record, the best mark in the nation. They’ve covered in 10 consecutive games, a testament to their resilience and consistency. Defensively, the Irish rank second nationally in scoring defense and thrive on forcing mistakes and stifling opposing offenses. Their ground game has been the foundation of their offense, rushing for over 210 yards per game. However, the Irish are dealing with key injuries. OT Anthonie Knapp is out after getting hurt in the Orange Bowl, and WR Beaux Collins is questionable with a calf injury. Without Knapp, protecting QB Riley Leonard against Ohio State’s ferocious pass rush becomes a taller task.

The line has hovered between Ohio State -8 and -9.5, reflecting the Buckeyes’ superior depth and offensive firepower. The total of 45.5 is low for a national championship game, especially given the scoring trends in recent years. The last 10 national title games have averaged 56.8 total points, all hitting the over on this total. Ohio State is averaging 37 points per game in the playoff, and Notre Dame allowed 24 points to Penn State, a team without a single reception from its wide receivers in that game.

This matchup feels tilted toward Ohio State, given their offensive balance and Notre Dame’s injury concerns. The Buckeyes’ weapons at wide receiver and in the backfield should expose a weakened Irish defense, and their own defense is built to contain Notre Dame’s run-heavy attack.

The Buckeyes have the firepower and defensive edge to cover this number. With Notre Dame missing key contributors, Ohio State should find plenty of opportunities to put up points.

Pick: Ohio State -8.5 (-108) & Ohio State Over 27.5 Points (-115)

DraftKings CTA (2024) = Large


Thanks for reading our 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship picks! Check out more of our College Football betting articles and other written content here at In-Between Media, or head over to our YouTube channel to get your fix via video.

*Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin – USA TODAY Sports*

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