2024 College Football Future Bets Worth an Early Investment

College football is in a state of disarray ahead of the 2024 season.

Conferences are spread across the country; if they survive the realignment, the transfer portal will flip many rosters upside down, with all but four of the head coaches responsible for national championships since 2006 no longer being head coaches.

The anarchic nature of the sport provides opportunities for bettors looking for high-value future bets.

As Billy Napier said when he was head coach at Louisiana State, “Fearful money doesn't make money” — as long as you don't compare that to suggesting Napier's current Florida Gators finish at +2000 results into the playoffs.

Alabama wins national championship (+1500): BetMGM, BetESPN, FanDuel

When the clock hits zero on the 2023 SEC Championship Game, it's a safe bet that Georgia will be the favorite to win the national championship in the 2024 season. In fact, the Bulldogs offer the safest future bet to win the national championship, as evidenced by their +300 odds at most major bookmakers. Only Ohio State is in the same neighborhood, with a range from +300 (BetRivers, Bally) to +400.

But when it comes to maximizing potential spending, Georgia's SEC rival Alabama, at +1500, offers the best value. first year head coach Kalen DeBoer stands in perhaps the longest shadow ever In the history of the sport, Nick Saban. But DeBoer has proven himself to be a winner at every level and has found immediate success in previous competitions.

Part of following Saban means inheriting a talented roster, the most important of which is quarterback Jalen Milroe. Milroe's stellar performance in his first season as the Crimson Tide's starter, coupled with DeBoer's track record of maximizing quarterback abilities, could make Milroe's +1500 rating to win the Heisman Trophy worth it look.

A Sept. 28 SEC Championship rematch against Georgia looms. If Alabama holds its own, the Tide will play a schedule that is on paper more favorable than Georgia (Texas and Ole Miss) the rest of the way.

Colorado Under 5.5 wins (+120): BetMGM, DraftKings

Admit it: A year ago this time, you were talking about Deion Sanders and Colorado. Perhaps you'll find Saunders referring to players being pushed through the transfer portal as mismatched furniture – a refreshing take on the dishonest veneer that other coaches spout. Maybe you feel this is unprofessional, self-aggrandizing behavior and unbecoming of a leader.

Regardless, Colorado football has been on the national radar, to some extent, for about 20 years. But at the end of 2023, after losing eight out of nine games, the product on the field resembled the same Buffs bag with fake Louis Vatton branding.

Colorado will welcome a top talent in the class of 2024, generational offensive and defensive star Travis Hunter. Quarterback Sheduer Sanders has performed well at times and attracted attention in the first round of the NFL draft. But CU's biggest questions come with this pairing: How can Dallas ride Hunter without tiring him out, and how effectively can the offensive line keep Sanders upright?

Both defensive lines were bothering CU down the stretch, as evidenced by the Hornets' defense giving up 176.4 rushing yards per game (ranked 110th nationally) and allowing 56 sacks on offense. Only the Old Dominion gave up more. Depth on both lines remains an issue.

It's also fair to ask if Deion Sanders has what it takes to coach his team to a huge victory. All four of CU's wins in 2023 came against teams with a sub-.500 record. Despite having a significant talent advantage in the recruiting rankings, his Jackson State team went 0-2 in the Celebration Bowl. For the Buffs to finish .500 or better for the first time since 2016, it will take a lot of negative trends to be reversed.

We'll likely know how realistic that is by the end of Week 3, as CU wraps up its opening games against perennial FCS national title contender North Dakota State and road rivals Nebraska and Colorado.

Appalachian State makes playoffs (+1400): FanDuel

Feeling particularly spicy? With the expanded postseason guaranteeing a spot in the top-ranked Group of Five conferences, consider Appalachian State. The Mountaineers have been playing ranked opponents in September (one-point losses to Miami and North Carolina in 2021 and 2023, a win over Texas A&M in 2022), and they will look to Facing Clemson.

Liberty's Group of Five playoff odds at +440 rank second behind Boise State at +400, which will visit Boone on Sept. 28.The league's favorite teams are included in their league rosters Opportunity to build playoffs.

While unlikely, with quarterback Joey Aguilar and wide receiver Kaedin Robinson's exciting receiving tandem, there may not be another one in 2024 This is a more interesting team of losers.