National Championship Predictions: Oddsmakers Forecast TCU vs. Georgia

With TCU set to challenge Georgia for the college football National Championship on Monday night, Gaming Today reached out to oddsmakers for their predictions on the game. We heard back from some of the best in the business.

As of early Monday afternoon, Georgia is between a 13- and 13.5-point favorite on oddsboards, with the total ranging from 62.5 to 63.5.  Here are current odds from various sportsbook apps.

Oddsmakers Predict a Georgia Win Over TCU; Covering Spread is Another Matter

While our bookmakers are unanimous in their predictions of an outright win by the Bulldogs, several on our panel see the Horned Frogs covering the spread.

Jeffrey Benson, Operations Manager, Circa Sports
Georgia 35-14
“Georgia has a better offense, better defense, and has that championship experience from last year. I’ll happily lay the points with the Dawgs.”

Rex Beyers, US Head of Wagering, PlayUp
Georgia 38-33
“I’ll call it Georgia in a battle. TCU schemes around defenses, and with LSU and Ohio State having had success playing faster, I think TCU does the same this week. They might have felt physically overwhelmed by Michigan’s offense last week, so the Frogs played a bit slower but still had tons of offensive success. … The Toads need to get in a track meet, their preferred style of winning anyway, whether they admit it or not. I think they’ll lead, but not sure they can execute well enough against superior talent down the stretch. Should be a good one.”

Duane Colucci, Race and Sports Manager, Rampart Casino
Georgia 45-35
“The Bulldog D, No. 1 in the nation versus the run, shines and holds the TCU running game in check. Stetson Bennett goes OFF, outperforming the Duggan/Johnston air attack of TCU, which has been difficult to stop all year! This should be a tough one!”

Chuck Esposito, Race and Sports Director, Red Rock
Georgia 40-16
“The Bulldogs defense and their size advantage in the trenches will make the difference here. The Frogs will be swimming upstream and eventually get worn down. Georgia repeats as National Champions!”

Matt Grill, Trading Manager, Las Vegas Sportsbook Hub, DraftKings
Georgia 41-21
“The National Title Game is one of those games that seems likely to have a high variance outcome with either a favorite blowout or ‘dog victory — and with all of the liability on TCU ML, there’s no way I’m going against the house so I’m siding with the favorite here. In a year with some of the least dominant teams in recent memory, Georgia becomes the first repeat national champion since Alabama did it a decade ago.”

Jay Kornegay, EVP SuperBook Sports Operations
Georgia 48-28
“I wouldn’t mind seeing the Frogs hoist the trophy, but Georgia is too well-rounded. The Bulldogs won’t make the same mental mistakes as Michigan.”

Robert Kowalski, Sportsbook Director Book, Baldini’s (2022 Bookies Battle champion)
Georgia 37-34
“Max Duggan > Stetson Bennett, but Coach Smart finds a way to rally late in the fourth quarter in yet another uncomfortable but victorious game for the Bulldogs.”

John Lindheimer, Sportsbook Manager, Harrah’s Hoosier Park
Georgia 37-34
“I believe Georgia will win a close game with TCU easily covering the 12.5 points and the game going Over. Georgia’s D isn’t the dominating defense that stifled opponents last year, and TCU’s experienced offense led by Heisman runner-up Max Duggan should score enough to get TCU point-spread backers to the cashier’s window.”

Jason McCormick, VP of Race and Sports, Station Casinos
Georgia 48-24
“Georgia RBs Kenny McIntosh and Daijun Edwards both post over 100+ yards on the ground as the Dawgs run through the TCU defense to claim back-to-back National Titles.”

Seamus Magee, Team Lead, Sports Trading, BetMGM Sportsbook
Georgia 41-31
“Georgia in a shootout, but I think TCU will cover. I think TCU will figure out a way to move the ball, but that defense won’t be stopping Georgia.”

Tony Miller, Sportsbook Director, Golden Nugget
Georgia 38-20
“TCU has had a dream season. Time to wake up now. Georgia rolls.”

John Murray, Executive Director Race & Sports, Westgate SuperBook
Georgia 45-21
“It’s been an unbelievable run for Sonny Dykes and the Horned Frogs, but I expect their Cinderella run to end on Monday night.”

Ed Salmons, VP of Risk Management, Westgate SuperBook
Georgia 30-17
“TCU got two defensive touchdowns and a fumble at the inch line and held on for dear life. They move way up in class here.”

Max Schmerin, Sportsbook Manager, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh (2021 Bookies Battle champ)
Georgia 42-17
“I believe the public will love the underdog story. [But] Georgia covers easily here with having more talent at almost every position.”

Jason Scott, VP Trading, BetMGM Sportsbook
Georgia
“The book will need Georgia, and I like our chances. They have the experience on the big stage, and Michigan imploded last week. Won’t happen here, and Bulldogs will repeat and equally importantly cover.”

Jeff Sherman, VP of Risk Management, Westgate SuperBook
Georgia 42-17
“Tough to see TCU hanging with Georgia on both sides of the ball.”

More on TCU vs. UGA Betting

Here’s more betting coverage around Monday night’s college football National Championship game:

• TCU Futures Bettors Eye Big Paydays, Early Action on Underdog
• TCU vs. Georgia Player Props & Anytime TD Scorer Bets
• CFP National Championship Game Odds & Pick: Make This Bet on TCU vs. Georgia

Bookmaker Spotlights

Throughout this football season, we’ve been chatting with bookmakers from around the country about their views on the sports betting industry. Please click through the links below to check out some of the Q&As.

Bookmaker Spotlight Q&As: Circa’s Jeff Benson | Westgate’s Jeff Sherman | South Point’s Chris Andrews | BetMGM’s Jason Scott | Bally Bet’s Jay Rood  | Station’s Jason McCormick | Golden Nugget’s Tony Miller | Baldini’s Robert Kowalski | Westgate’s Casey Degnon | Rivers’ Kyle Wainscott | Aliante’s Socrates Cherry III