The 2023 College Football National Championship matchup is set between the TCU Horned Frogs and Georgia Bulldogs. We were treated to two memorable CFP semifinal games in the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl. For this look at the National Championship, TheSportsGeek has the latest College Football Championship prop bets.
The CFP National Championship prop bets are a fun way for sports bettors to cash in on bets other than the point spread and over-under. College football prop bets are not nearly as common as NFL props, but there is value to be had in the College Football Championship.
Just one more week…⏳
…until the 2023 #CFBPlayoff #NationalChampionship takes the field at @SoFiStadium! 🏈🏆 @LASEC • @ESPN • @ESPNCFB • @ESPNPR pic.twitter.com/W9ZPMUt14W
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) January 3, 2023
via@CFBPlayoff
This is a matchup that was not expected by the oddsmakers. The Michigan Wolverines were 7.5-point favorites against the Horned Frogs. However, the Wolverines lost straight up to disrupt those plans of a Michigan vs Georgia CFP National Championship.
We nearly had both of the two underdogs win in the first round of the College Football Playoffs. Following the 51-45 win for TCU, a little later in the night at the strike of midnight on New Year’s, Ohio State missed a 50-yard field goal for the win.
The Bulldogs won the game, but did not cover the point spread. Despite struggling to put away the Buckeyes, and TCU winning as 7.5-point favorites, Georgia is a 13-point favorite in the National Championship.
We are going to have a CFP National Championship pick on our sports betting picks page later in the week. For right now, let’s focus on the College Football Championship prop bets after a quick look at the current CFP National Championship odds. These are some of our favorite NCAAF Championship prop bets for the game.
Visit our College Football Betting Sites page for the best sportsbooks to bet on the 2023 CFP National Championship.
2023 CFP National Championship Odds
The oddsmakers and computers were not impressed by the win over TCU. The Wolverines did everything they could to lose that game — including a horrific call that took a touchdown off the board. That said, 13 points had to take some sports bettors by surprise.
There can’t be anyone that believes Michigan was short of the goal line on that deep touchdown pass by J.J. McCarthy. The ball was still moving in his arms when his calf touched the ground. Wide receiver, Roman Wilson, only had full possession of the ball until he was in the end zone.
J.J. MCCARTHY TO ROMAN WILSON #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/PAW6AYDluS
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) December 31, 2022
via@woodwardsports
That does not take away the fact that Michigan had 1st and goal from the 1-yard line and fumbled the chance away. Earlier in the game, Michigan was stopped on 4th and goal on their first drive on a trick play. There were other mistakes that doomed the Wolverines’ chances, as well.
What the CFP National Championship odds say to us is that Georgia will not make the same careless errors. Georgia played a clean game last year in the National Championship against the Alabama Crimson Tide. We’ll see if they can do the same and repeat as champs.
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCU Horned Frogs | +13 (-115) | +360 | Over 63 (-110) |
| Georgia Bulldogs | -13 (-110) | -500 | Under 63 (-110) |
2023 College Football Championship Prop Bets
College Football Championship prop bets are not going to be the most popular bets for this game. Our biggest bet at TheSportsGeek is going to be on the point spread, but these NCAAF Championship prop bets can be a fun diversion from the normal wagers.
Note that these 2023 College Football Champion prop bets are game props. In other words, predicting certain events to occur within the game. If there are any player prop bets that we like, we’ll add them to our point spread prediction article at TheSportsGeek.
First Score Method – TCU
The first CFP National Championship prop bet at TheSportsGeek is how TCU will score their first points in the game. Do you feel that TCU will score a touchdown, field goal, or another method? Another method could be a defensive touchdown or kick/punt return for a score.
TCU is dealing with a top-notch defense against Georgia. There are going to be people looking past Georgia’s defense because of the 41 points allowed against the Ohio State Buckeyes. However, they are still a very good unit that can play a much better game.
The Bulldogs are the ninth-best defense in college football in yards allowed. They’ve conceded an average of 292.1 yards per game. Georgia has also allowed 12.8 points per game for second in the nation.
Georgia does not give up much room on the ground. They are first, with 77 rushing yards allowed per game. TCU needs Max Duggan to play like C.J. Stroud in the National Championship.
Most importantly for this CFP prop bet, Georgia has the best red zone defense in college football. They force a lot of field goals. In 33 red zone trips, which is the fourth-fewest, the opposition has scored 12 touchdowns and 10 field goals.
There is no value on the first TCU score being a touchdown. A field goal at +240 looks rather inviting, though. We can see Georgia bending, but not breaking early in the game to force a field goal.
Points Range – Final Score
This College Football Championship prop bet looks at the combined points from both teams. Similar to an over under bet, the only thing that matters here is the final score of the game. How many total points are going to be scored in the 2023 CFP National Championship?
The oddsmakers have the over under at 63 points. With a point spread of 13 points, a final score of 38-25 would match the total and spread. Does this final score look realistic to you?
Our prediction is not too far off from that score. Georgia is going to likely move the ball up and down the field. Whether they want to keep the ball on the ground and run it down their throats, or open it up downfield, the Bulldogs should have success.
The Bulldogs have notched 491.8 yards per game for seventh in the FBS. They have recorded 39.2 points per game for 11th. Against a so-so TCU defense, 38 to 42 points for Georgia looks realistic.
Georgia’s defense should also make plays in this one. However, Duggan is too much of a competitor to go down without fighting. The TCU quarterback will put a few drives together to keep TCU a chance.
With the over under at 63 points, the points range from 61 to 70 at +250 is a good prop bet. A final score of 41-21 or 41-24 is what we see unfolding at SoFi Stadium.
Race To 35 Points
The race to 35 points is a prop bet that looks at which team is going to score 35 points first in the game. If no one gets to 35 points, then the Neither bet will be the winning pick.
Georgia has a team total of 37.5 or slightly higher depending on where you are shopping the CFP National Championship odds. As we noted above, a final score of 38-25 lands on the total and point spread.
🔊The call from @UGAVoice for the go ahead touchdown!#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/ScEDxnNOju
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) January 1, 2023
via@GeorgiaFootball
The Bulldogs’ offense is incredibly underrated despite scoring 39.2 points per game this season. They are known better for hard-nosed defense, but the last two games might change that opinion.
Georgia made it look easy with 50 points against LSU in the SEC Championship Game. They followed up with 42 more points in the Peach Bowl with no let-up. It was the fourth time in five games that Georgia scored a minimum of 37 points.
The Horned Frogs could have easily given up more than 45 points to Michigan. They were on the fortunate side of a bad call, while Michigan fumbled away their chances in the red zone. Overall, TCU is 74th in the nation with 384.6 yards per game.
In what amounts to a team total prop bet, Georgia to score 35 points first is a good option in the CFP National Championship.
Exact Number of Touchdowns by the TCU Horned Frogs
After getting torched by C.J. Stroud and the Buckeyes, the Bulldogs will go back to the drawing table. It is uncharacteristic of Georgia to allow more than 40 points. This was the first game that Georgia gave up more than 35 points in a game.
Look for Georgia to address the missed assignments and get back to basics in the CFP National Championship. The Bulldogs have allowed 12.8 points and 292.1 yards per game. They typically do not give up much to opposing offenses.
MAX DUGGAN ARE YOU SERIOUS?
TCU with ANOTHER touchdown to take a commanding 20-3 lead in the first half 🐸 pic.twitter.com/ObkYQhsQYW
— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2022
via@espn
Duggan will not look terrible, though. The Heisman Trophy runner-up has passed for 3,546 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions on 63.7% completions. He has gained 461 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground.
The Horned Frogs will score, but this does not mean they are keeping pace with Georgia at SoFi Stadium. Three scores is what we are looking at in 21 or 24 points for TCU in the National Championship.
Team To Score Longest Touchdown
C.J. Stroud and Marvin Harrison Jr. were able to blow the top off the Georgia defense. Stroud passed for 348 yards and 4 touchdowns. Harrison had 106 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Emeka Egbuka stepped up with 112 yards and a touchdown.
This is not the first good defense that Ohio State has exploited. They did the same to Penn State earlier this season. They had Georgia all out of sorts, but look for Georgia to patch up their holes from that effort.
BACK AND FORTH WE GO! 😮💨
TCU just scored ANOTHER touchdown #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/EglT5KCAFT
— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2023
via@espn
TCU did the same to Michigan, a very good defensive team. The Wolverines were caught out of position throughout the game. Never mind the offensive miscues, the defense looked lost at times.
The Bulldogs are unlikely to show up at the CFP National Championship so unprepared. They should stop the Horned Frogs from hitting the home run ball.
4.2 speed 👀 pic.twitter.com/hEaDxnZMlM
— CFBLIVE247 (@CFBLive247_) January 1, 2023
via@CFBLIVE247_
Stetson Bennett hooking up with Arian Smith in the TCU secondary for a big touchdown downfield is likely, though. Bennett and Smith connected for a 76-yard touchdown in the 4th quarter against a better Ohio State secondary.
TCU is just 83rd in the FBS against the pass. They will have to respect Brock Bowers across the middle of the field, which should free up Smith again.
