Week 11 College FB National Title Contenders Futures Bets: Notre Dame Is Looking Golden
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Week 11 College FB National Title Contenders Futures Bets: Notre Dame Is Looking Golden

John Supowitz unveiled three college football teams and their national title chances heading into Week 11.

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Every single week in college football, it feels like we get a huge surprise. Once again, we saw the No. 1 team in the country lose, and a brand-new No. 1 team will enter the College Football Playoff rankings.

Three top teams continue to play at a high level this season, and we’ll look at the championship contenders who deserve attention.

All odds via DraftKings

Futures Bets For CFB National Title Contenders Week 11

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+390)

The Fighting Irish were competing for their playoff lives last Saturday against Miami. Sitting at No. 11 in the College Football Playoff Rankings, a loss would have dropped them out of the top 12 and out of a playoff spot. It also would have left them 0-2 against ranked opponents, and with no more ranked teams left on the schedule, it likely would have been impossible to get back into contention.

Barring a major upset in their three remaining games, they’ve likely secured their ticket to the playoffs.

Notre Dame dominated at the beginning against Miami, leading 24-3 early in the third quarter. The concern is that the Irish eventually let the Canes make it a one-possession game. Some would argue that Miami TE Elijah Lofton tied it with a touchdown, but Notre Dame prevailed and pulled off the biggest win in recent years.

C.J. Carr had his biggest game yet for Notre Dame, throwing for at least 300 yards and 3 touchdowns for the first time against a team with a winning record. Nolan James Jr. is developing into a reliable running back and finished with 88 yards from scrimmage, including a key 36-yard reception on third down.

Their schedule ends with Syracuse and Boston College, both with 4-5 records, then 7-2 SMU, but that game is at home.

Georgia Bulldogs (+245)

The Bulldogs have quickly erased that upset loss at home to an unranked Auburn team. Whatever adjustments Kirby Smart made during the bye week have paid off.

Coming off the bye, Georgia secured a convincing win over then-No. 17 Florida, opening the game with a 24-0 run. 

Last week was a huge test on the road at Ole Miss, and this game was never close. The Bulldogs completely dominated, going on a 35-0 run to start.

Over the last two games, Georgia has outscored two ranked conference opponents 69-15. 

The dominant defense Georgia had during its National Championship runs is back. The defense has smothered opponents in the last two games, allowing 252 total yards and recording three takeaways and nine sacks. 

Georgia's run game has been stellar, totaling 512 rushing yards over the last two games. The game script played a large role, but they were still efficient, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Backfield injuries forced others to step in, but now that everyone is healthy, they’ve built an efficient committee.

They have two more ranked conference opponents, No. 18 Missouri at home and No. 21 South Carolina on the road, before their annual non-conference matchup with Georgia Tech. 

They're playing well in key areas of the game, and they will be a tough out in the playoffs.

Utah Utes (+2600)

Utah and UCLA are the two undefeated teams remaining in the FBS. Some key factors make one a title contender over the other. One team has faced a tougher schedule and has the better quarterback. While UCLA’s defense has done well and its run game is strong, Utah has those aspects and a talented quarterback.

Devon Dampier led the Utes to their biggest win of the season over then-No. 9 BYU, throwing for 177 yards and 2 touchdowns, and rushing for 89 yards and 2 touchdowns. Dampier’s 27 passing and rushing touchdowns are the sixth-most in the country.

They also have a strong defense that ranks 15th in the nation in points allowed per game (16.3) and fourth in interceptions (13), including four picks against Bear Bachmeier in the win over BYU.

That win over the Cougars all but secured the Utes' spot in the Big 12 championship. If they can finish the regular season undefeated, that should earn them a first-round bye.

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