College Football Playoff best bets: Two underdogs and two favorites to consider - ESPN

The first round of the 2024 College Football Playoff is here, and the matchups are brimming with betting value. With powerhouse programs and underdog contenders squaring off, this introduction into the 12-team format could bring drama from start to finish.

Notre Dame takes on Indiana in a clash of grit versus explosiveness, while SMU faces Penn State in a David-and-Goliath battle where speed meets strength. Clemson looks to defy the odds against Texas, a program riding high on a mostly dominant season, and Ohio State seeks redemption against Tennessee after falling short in its rivalry showdown with Michigan.

As the stakes rise, each game presents unique opportunities to evaluate talent, analyze matchups and make sharp predictions. Let's dive into the action and uncover where the value lies in these marquee CFP showdowns.

While I typically love betting totals, the first round of the playoffs has me leaning toward spreads instead, as predicting an over or under in these high-stakes matchups feels like it comes with more variance.

Here are all the odds and lines for the College Football Playoff matchups ahead of the first round.

All odds are accurate as of time stamp. All times Eastern. For the latest odds go to ESPN BET.

10-seed Indiana at 7-seed Notre Dame (-7, 51.5)
Friday, 8 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN

Indiana's offense sparkled at times this season, but when tested against elite defenses, it's a different story. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been exposed under pressure, as seen in two critical matchups against Ohio State and Michigan. He was unable to establish a rhythm in the passing game against the Buckeyes, scraping together a 44% completion rate. The Michigan game was even worse, as Indiana mustered just 18 total yards