While the 2024-2025 college football champion has yet to be crowned, oddsmakers have already begun looking toward next season. The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship odds shine a very early light on which of the 136 FBS teams could follow in the footsteps of the Ohio State Buckeyes or Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Who Are the Favorites in 2026 College Football National Championship Odds?
The 2026 College Football National Championship odds are provided by FanDuel Sportsbook and are correct as of Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
- Ohio State Buckeyes +450
- Texas Longhorns +650
- Oregon Ducks +650
- Georgia Bulldogs +700
- Penn State Nittany Lions +850
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish +1200
- Alabama Crimson Tide +1600
- Tennessee Volunteers +1800
- Clemson Tigers +1800
- LSU Tigers +2000
Ohio State Buckeyes +450
The Buckeyes opened as 9.5-point favorites in the 2024-2025 CFP National Championship over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. If they win, there’s no reason they shouldn’t enter the offseason as the favorite to do so again.
MORE: CFN Betting Parlay Calculator
Of course, statistically, it’s unlikely they’ll actually run the gauntlet again, as Georgia (2021, 2022) and Alabama (2011, 2012) are the only teams to do so in the 2000s.
Massive yearly roster turnover increases parody and reduces the odds of repeat champions, but the Buckeyes could actually have an upgrade at QB, with Julian Sayin the favorite to take over for Will Howard.
Texas Longhorns +650
Arch Manning. Need more analysis?
The legacy QB is the early favorite to win the 2026 Heisman, and with Steve Sarkisian calling the offense and Pete Kwiatkowski spearheading a talented defense, the Longhorns should challenge for a spot in the natty all year.
While both sides of the ball will face significant turnover, an elite group of underclassmen and a strong recruiting class should have Texas reloaded for another CFP run.
Oregon Ducks +650
If Dante Moore can live up to the hype placed on his shoulders, the Oregon Ducks could finish the regular season as the No. 1 team once again. Of course, expectations usually supersede reality, but head coach Dan Lanning and OC Will Stein are one of the best pairings in the nation.
The Ducks currently have the No. 5 recruiting and No. 10 transfer rankings, according to 247Sports, which will only raise the program’s floor entering the offseason.
Georgia Bulldogs +700
Carson Beck’s regression and lack of weapons on the outside hurt the Bulldogs, and his injury in the SEC title game all but burned their chances of making the national championship for the third time in four years.
The QB depth chart, led by Gunner Stockton, is shaky at best, but Kirby Smart is one of the best collegiate head coaches at adapting to his situation, so expect the Dawgs to remain a factor in the CFP bracket.
Penn State Nittany Lions +850
Penn State’s offensive trio of Drew Allar, Nick Singleton, and Kaytron Allen are running it back. That’s the most experienced, productive, and talented backfield trio returning in 2025, but the depth chart around them is worrisome.
The pass-catching corps was abysmal behind TE Tyler Warren, who is leaving for the NFL Draft. And that’s not even counting the transfer departure of WR Harrison Wallace III. HC James Franklin is infamous for his record in big games, but he’ll have another shot at rewriting the narrative next season.
Long-Shot Team To Note in the 2026 College Football National Championship Odds
Do Michigan (+3500), Miami (+4000), and Florida (+5000) count as long shots?
The Wolverines went 8-5 coming off their national championship win, and that was with a far-below-average QB room. With Fresno State’s Mikey Keene and five-star recruit Bryce Underwood joining the fray, Sherrone Moore’s program should return to prominence in the Big Ten.
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Meanwhile, Miami once again attacked the transfer portal for a new QB1, this time tabbing Carson Beck for the job. OC Shannon Dawson will do his best to turn back the clock on the former star passers, which won’t be easy coming off UCL surgery.
Gators head coach Billy Napier is seemingly one more mediocre season away from being out of a job. Luckily, he has former five-star QB DJ Lagway to buoy his final campaign.
If Lagway can hit the ground running as the unquestioned starter, and the defense does its job in limiting offenses, Florida could challenge for a spot in the SEC Championship Game.
OK, that was for the risk-averse crowd. Now for some real long shots.
The Arizona State Sun Devils are +9500 to win the 2026 natty. Why? They just won the Big 12 outright and gave Texas everything they could handle in the quarterfinal.
QB Sam Leavitt is back, Army stud Kanye Udoh was brought in to replace Cam Skattebo, and Kenny Dillingham is arguably the fastest-rising head coach in the country.
Then, there’s the Utah Utes (+14000). Kyle Whittingham is one of the most respected leaders of men, and with the Cam Rising chapter finally closed, he can focus on the next era.
Whittingham brought in New Mexico Lobos OC Jason Beck and dual-threat QB Devon Dampier to revamp the offense, and we know the defense will be productive.
And last but not least, the Washington Huskies (+15000). HC Jedd Fisch and OC Brennan Carroll know a thing or two about offensive success, but they could reach new heights with QB Demond Williams Jr. set to be unleashed in 2025.
Former Purdue HC Ryan Walters will man the defense, but if he and Williams meet or exceed expectations, the Big Ten could be in for a rude awakening.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.
