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The first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff is about to get going and before it does, we're previewing the action and calling our shot with our best bet and favorite dark horse teams in the bracket.

Want to know why your favorite team can or can’t defy the CFP national title odds? Read below are our thoughts and College Football Playoff predictions.Ìý

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2024-25 College Football Playoff Odds: Oregon CFP odds & predictions

Oregon and Texas in a near-dead heat for the CFB national championship favorite. Georgia and Ohio State are tied for third despite the Bulldogs preparing to be without star QB Carson Beck due to an elbow injury. Penn State and Notre Dame are close behind the top four before there is a major drop-off to Tennessee, Indiana, and SMU.

Arizona State, Clemson, and Boise State all bring up the rear. Of those three, Boise State is considered to have the easiest path due to being on the bottom half of the bracket.

Look, Oregon isn’t just the best pick because they’re the only undefeated team in the field. They’re the best bet because Dan Lanning consistently improved his team throughout the year, they already proved themselves with wins over Ohio State and Penn State and they have the most experienced quarterback in the history of college football leading their attack.

Oregon finished the year fifth in net EPA per play and sixth in average scoring margin (+18.8). QB Dillon Gabriel was outstanding in the matchups with OSU and PSU, going for 673 total yards, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions, while Lanning’s defense made big plays in the biggest moments.

The Ducks have the most speed of any team in the country, and they have proven to have the requisite amount of physicality. They get a month off between games and will be well-rested and prepared for a final push at the championship.

Tennessee finished the year ranked sixth in opponents’ yards per rush attempt and 15th in opponents’ yards per pass attempt. They were also fifth in average scoring margin (+19.5) and produced a standout 24-17 win over Alabama on Oct. 19.

One of the biggest concerns for the Vols is freshman QB Nico Iamaleava’s lack of experience. However, he finished the year strong, and Tennessee finished 10th in rushing yards per game (226.2, first among all P4 schools) and fourth in points allowed per game (14.9). That means that Iamaleava will have a running game and a defense to back him up if he struggles at any point.

The Vols lost on the road to Georgia a few weeks before the end of the season, but that experience will be good for them. They’re also in the running for the most physical team in the country and have a style that translates on the road and late into the year.

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