2023-24 College Football Playoff and New Year's Six Bowl Games Guide

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2023-24 College Football Playoff and New Year's Six Bowl Games Guide

With the final College Football Playoff rankings released on Sunday of conference championship weekend, the full postseason picture has emerged.

Naturally, it is still unknown who will head to Houston to compete in this year's CFP National Championship, but with the playoff field -- along with the remaining New Year's Six slate -- officially established, we can look forward to a stacked lineup. For the record, the Michigan Wolverines are current favorites to go all the way, yielding +200 odds, per the college football championship odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

No time to waste -- let's dive into the early odds and lines for the College Football Playoff and New Year's Six games, keeping the emphasis on the traditional betting markets.

All college football odds via FanDuel Sportsbook. Lines may change after this article is published (odds last updated December 28, 2023 at 7 p.m. ET).

College Football Playoff Schedule

Rose Bowl Odds: (#4) Alabama vs. (#1) Michigan

Kickoff: January 1st, 2024, 5 p.m. ET
Location: Pasadena, CA
Television: ESPN
Spread: Michigan -1.5 (-115)
Alabama Moneyline: +108
Michigan Moneyline: -130
Total: 44.5 (-112/-108)

As the top team by numberFire's power rankings, Michigan (30.17 nERD) is attempting to win its first national title since 1997; that was the same season in which eventual NFL Hall-of-Famer Charles Woodson earned the Heisman Trophy. Under head coach Jim Harbaugh, are the Wolverines poised to return to the promised land? Right now, U-M is laying a point with a hook in the "Granddaddy of Them All."

Head coach Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide arrive to this year's Rose Bowl by the skin of their teeth, marking Alabama's eighth trip all-time to the annual Southern California event. After narrowly evading defeat against the archrival Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl, 'Bama now also has the momentum of besting the reigning champion Georgia Bulldogs.

Sugar Bowl Odds: (#3) Texas vs. (#2) Washington

Kickoff: January 1st, 2024, 8:45 p.m. ET
Location: New Orleans, LA
Television: ESPN
Spread: Texas -4.5 (-105)
Texas Moneyline: -184
Washington Moneyline: +152
Total: 62.5 (-115/-105)

In what should be a high-octane affair, the No. 3 Texas Longhorns and the No. 2 Washington Huskies have a date at the Superdome. According to numberFire, Texas (26.06 nERD) is the fifth-best team in FBS. On that same scale, the undefeated UDub (22.03 nERD) is close by at 11th overall. With star power on each side, who has the edge in NOLA?

Champions of the Big XII in their final season before moving to the SEC, Texas is currently favored in the Sugar Bowl. Conversely, the Huskies are fresh off winning the final Pac-12 Championship Game -- Washington will compete in the Big Ten next season. Between respective head coaches Steve Sarkisian and Kalen DeBoer, expect both sides to arrive motivated.

National Championship

Kickoff: January 8th, 2024, 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Houston, TX
Television: ESPN

New Year's Six Bowl Schedule

Cotton Bowl Odds: (#9) Missouri vs. (#7) Ohio State

Kickoff: December 29th, 2023, 8 p.m. ET
Location: Arlington, TX
Television: ESPN
Spread: Ohio State -3.5 (-115)
Missouri Moneyline: +152
Ohio State Moneyline: -184
Total: 49.5 (-108/-112)

Naturally, the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes are lingering with the despair of losing to archrival Michigan in "The Game" for the third straight year. The Buckeyes will attempt to temporarily palliate that pain by putting a charge into the No. 9 Missouri Tigers. Of course, it will be quite interesting to see how head coach Ryan Day gets OSU to respond versus a quality side at "Jerry World," especially with the Buckeyes labeled as a short-favorite.

The Tigers from Columbia just eclipsed double-digit wins for the first time since 2014. Additionally, that was also the most recent season in which Missouri managed to earn a bowl game victory -- each of their past four trips bowling has resulted in losses. Still, Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz has progressively improved the program; Mizzou should present a formidable matchup for Ohio State.

Peach Bowl Odds: (#11) Ole Miss vs. (#10) Penn State

Kickoff: December 30th, 2023, 12 p.m. ET
Location: Atlanta, GA
Television: ESPN
Spread: Penn State -4.5 (-115)
Ole Miss Moneyline: +164
Penn State Moneyline: -200
Total: 48.5

Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin has guided the program to 10-win campaigns in two of the past three seasons. Outside of losses to Alabama and the defending champion Georgia Bulldogs, Mississippi has confidently handled its hyper-competitive SEC lineup of games, going 6-2 in the conference. Does that mean they can outduel a quintessential Big Ten program like the Penn State Nittany Lions?

Making the trip down from State College, the Nittany Lions will eagerly meet Ole Miss at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Truly, it will be a clash of styles, emphasizing the archetype of offense versus defense. The Rebels are scoring to the tune of 34.8 PPG in 2023, while PSU is once again a top defensive unit in college football, surrendering only 11.4 PPG.

Orange Bowl Odds: (#6) Georgia vs. (#5) Florida State

Kickoff: December 30th, 2023, 4 p.m. ET
Location: Miami Gardens, FL
Television: ESPN
Spread: Georgia -19.5 (-115)
Georgia Moneyline: -1700
Florida State Moneyline: +890
Total: 44.5 (-105/-115)

As the two teams that should be most furious about the College Football Playoff committee's decision to include 'Bama in the top four, the No. 5 Florida State Seminoles and No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs will meet at Hard Rock Stadium for what will be a very angry consolation game.

Reigning back-to-back national champion UGA has lost only twice since December of 2020. Regardless, the Bulldogs will not get to challenge for a three-peat, having squandered the recent SEC title game with the Tide. Head coach Kirby Smart must now deviate course, rallying his troops for the Orange Bowl instead.

The Seminoles just made history by becoming the first, last and only Power 5 program to not qualify for the College Football Playoff despite winning their conference with an undefeated (13-0) record. Seemingly, FSU will head down to Miami with a substantial chip on its collective shoulders. For the 'Noles, this will be only their second contest of 2023 without star quarterback Jordan Travis (leg).

Fiesta Bowl Odds: (#23) Liberty vs. (#8) Oregon

Kickoff: January 1st, 2024, 1 p.m. ET
Location: Glendale, AZ
Television: ESPN
Spread: Oregon 16.5 (-105)
Liberty Moneyline: +500
Oregon Moneyline: -720
Total: 66.5 (-115/-105)

Looking to bounce back from FBS' largest upset of conference championship weekend, the Oregon Ducks must now regain focus for one final bid this season. Next, Oregon will head to the desert, participating in the Fiesta Bowl against an undefeated Liberty Flames squad. For the second time in as many games, UO will be a two-score favorite; can they seal the deal this time around?

As the top squad of Conference USA, the Flames are scoring a staggering 40.8 PPG in 2023. Still, Liberty operates in a straightforward and smashmouth fashion, showing nearly 50 carries on the ground per game (49.4). After defeating the New Mexico State Aggies for a conference title, the Flames will do their best to control the pace against Oregon.

Looking for the latest college football odds? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook and check out all of the college football betting options.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.