FILE – Ohio State quarterback Devin Brown passes against Missouri during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game on Dec. 29, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. Ohio State opened training camp on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, with the usual high expectations but also a strong sense of urgency that had built up over three consecutive seasons of losing to Michigan. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File) The Associated Press preseason poll of the top 25 in college football was released Monday for the first time this season and was almost perfectly aligned when compared to online sportsbook BetMGM’s season-long odds for college football. Georgia came in at No. 1 and has the best odds to win the national championship at .300. Ohio State is No. 2 and close behind on the odds board at .325. Ranked third through fifth are Oregon (700), Texas (800) and Alabama (1500). No. 9 Michigan, the defending national champion, is at 2500, which is the ninth-lowest odds. Bettors Favor Ohio State Although Georgia has the best odds, Ohio State is the more popular school at online sportsbook BetMGM. The Buckeyes account for 20.5% of the bets and 28.2% of the money. Georgia isn’t far behind, accounting for 11.5% of the bets and 21.2% of the money. Ohio State and Georgia combined to account for 49.4% of the money in national championship betting. Texas is third, accounting for 8.8% of the bets and 9.2% of the money. Checking in for Heisman Trophy betting Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel has the best odds to win the Heisman Trophy at 700 and also draws the most tickets (10.2%) and the most money (15.3%). While Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has the next best odds (750), Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (1000) is raking in the second most tickets (9.4%) and the second most money (9.7%). Beck is close behind with the third most tickets (9.3%) and the third most money (9%). ___ This column was provided to The Associated Press by online sports betting operator BetMGM. ___ AP Sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
