With Georgia win, Ohio State football would be favored vs. Michigan, TCU in championship

Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
·3 min read
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Heading into the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl against Georgia, Ohio State football is 6.5-point underdogs, the first time the Buckeyes are not favored in a game since the end of the 2020 season.

But if the Buckeyes were to get past the Bulldogs and make it to the 2023 national championship game in Los Angeles, that would all change.

According to Draft Kings Sportsbook, No. 4 Ohio State would be a three-point favorite against No. 2 Michigan in the national championship game Jan. 9. If the Wolverines lose to No. 3 TCU, the Buckeyes would be a 10.5-point favorite against the Horned Frogs.

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In Ohio State's 45-23 loss to Michigan to end the Buckeyes' regular season, the Buckeyes were a nine-point favorite.

In their last national championship game appearance against Alabama in 2021, the Buckeyes were 9.5-point underdogs, according to Covers.com. Ohio State was also a seven-point underdog against Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

In 2022, Ohio State has been at least a nine-point favorite in every game, with the Michigan matchup being the first time the Buckeyes were less than a 15.5-point favorite all year.

With Ohio State's 11-1 record heading into the Peach Bowl against Georgia, the Buckeyes are 5-6-1 against the spread.

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Coming off a 43-22 win against Purdue in the Big Ten championship game, Michigan starts as a 9.5-point favorite in the Fiesta Bowl according to both FanDuel and Draft Kings sportsbooks.

When is gambling legal in Ohio?

While both College Football Playoff semifinal games will barely miss the cut for the legalization of sports betting in Ohio, the possible national championship between Ohio State and Michigan could be the Buckeyes football game that can be legally bet.

Ohio legalized sports betting in June starting on Jan. 1. The first legal bet for Ohio State football Ohio residents would likely have the chance to make would be the national championship game if the Buckeyes advance past Georgia.

College football rankings 2022

Here's a look at the final College Football Playoff ranking of the 2022 season.

  1. Georgia (13-0)

  2. Michigan (13-0)

  3. TCU (13-0)

  4. Ohio State (12-1)

  5. Alabama (10-2)

  6. Tennessee (10-2)

  7. Clemson (11-2)

  8. Utah (10-3)

  9. Kansas State (10-3)

  10. USC (11-2)

  11. Penn State (10-2)

  12. Washington (10-2)

  13. Florida State (9-3)

  14. Oregon State (9-3)

  15. Oregon (9-3)

  16. Tulane (11-2)

  17. LSU (9-4)

  18. UCLA (9-3)

  19. South Carolina (8-4)

  20. Texas (8-4)

  21. Notre Dame (8-4)

  22. Mississippi State (8-4)

  23. NC State (8-4)

  24. Troy (11-2)

  25. UTSA (11-2)

Ohio State football's 2022 schedule

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Oddsmakers like Ohio State in CFP title game, if they defeat Georgia