CFB Playoff Odds
Coming off the back of the new 12 team College Football Playoff format, this upcoming year’s newer format is going to make the field look a whole lot different.
Let’s take a look at the odds to win the 2025-26 National Championship from FanDuel with Offers.Bet.
🏆 Odds to Win the 2025-26 National Championship
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ohio State | +600 |
| Texas | +650 |
| Georgia | +700 |
| Alabama | +800 |
| Penn State | +800 |
| Oregon | +1100 |
| USC | +1400 |
| LSU | +1600 |
| Michigan | +1800 |
| Florida State | +2500 |
| Washington | +3300 |
| Notre Dame | +3400 |
New Look Format
After hearing all of the displeasure of the format from last year’s playoffs, the committee has decided to restructure the format and it is for the better. Last year, the format was 12 teams get in and the top 4 conference winners get a first round bye and do not have to play in the first round at home playoff game.
This new format is still maintaining that 12 team look with the 5-12 seeded teams playing games at the higher seeds stadium. But now instead of conference winners getting the first round bye, it is going to be the top four teams decided by the CFP Selection Committee.
Favorites
Ohio State is just finishing up celebrating their National Championship win against Notre Dame and are looking to go back to back. Having sophomore standout receiver Jeremiah Smith looking to lead this stacked Ohio State offense after his phenomenal freshman year campaign is going to be scary. The only question is, who is going to be throwing him the ball? Reports are that sophomore Julian Sayin has really stepped up in the quarterback competition since the spring game but there are questions about his height and being able to be effective at the college level. Also losing their defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to rival Penn State would be something to look at if they had not replaced him with the great Matt Patricia. Any way you look at it Ohio State is going to be one of those four top teams that get the first round bye, but their campaign starts off with a bang with their first game of the season going up against Texas.
All eyes are going to be on Texas this season with new starting quarterback Arch Manning finally getting reins of the offense and taking over that starting position. Texas does have the most expensive roster coming into the 2025 season coming in at around $40 million. With a roster as highly touted and expensive as they have and with head coach Steve Sarkisian looking to finally get over the hump and bring back another national championship to the University of Texas, they are the most well rounded team and will more than likely be one of those teams still playing in late January.
Dark Horse
Coming in with +800 odds the Penn State Nittany Lions are always in talks of could this be their year to finally win it all. This year if any would be their chance to strike and bring a national championship home to Happy Valley. With Drew Allar coming into his third year starting under head coach James Franklin has a lot to prove this year after losing his record breaking first round tight end Tyler Warren. After a disappointing loss in the semifinal matchup against Notre Dame, this is the farthest James Franklin has taken this Penn State team and may have finally shaken off that can’t win the big one tag. Penn State made a few big splashes in the transfer portal picking up three wide receivers and most notably from USC Kyron Hudson. Penn State has been banking off their defense recently to carry them and they will be just as strong this year even after losing edge rusher Abdul Carter with his replacement being son of Penn State great LaVar Arrington, LaVar Arrington II. This is Penn State’s best shot in recent memory to pull it off and might be a great bet for the odds they are at to take.
A real dark horse could be at +3400 odds, the Michigan Wolverines. After their 2023 National Championship win, the Wolverines had a big down year last year only going 8-5. Their big moment of last season was upsetting Ohio State and making it four straight years of beating the Buckeyes. Michigan is losing head coach Sherrone Moore for two games this season for a penalty from the sign stealing scandal. And with new freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood coming to Ann Arbor thanks to a $12 million deal, this Wolverine team could be back this year and be looking for vengeance. With having an easier schedule this year than others in the BIG10, and a strong performance from Underwood, the Wolverines could set themselves up for an easier road to the National Championship and could just shock everyone and be back on top.
Stay Clear Of
A team that might be a bit ranked too high on the sportsbook is the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Crimson Tide have the sixth best odds to win at +1100 and they might be a team that could come up short this year. Head coach Kalen DeBoer could be on the hot seat this year after a very disappointing 2024 campaign. It is still early but there is not a clear number one in the quarterback room to take over and they are going to need that to feed superstar wide receiver Ryan Williams. Alabama also has a difficult schedule this upcoming year playing in the SEC and facing up against teams like Georgia, Auburn, Oklahoma, LSU, and Tennessee. There seems to be too many question marks and a lot of pressure on the Tide that they might not be able to live up to.
2025-26 College Football Playoff Betting Predictions
The Buckeyes and the Longhorns are going to be the two universities that everyone is anticipating to come on top and for good reason. But with a huge week one matchup between the two teams could sway bettors either way. But even with a loss in week one, both teams still have the ability to rebound and hoist the trophy.
A good value pick is the Nittany Lions. Everyone else in that range has too many questions but the Nittany Lions feel this is their year and with Drew Allar most likely heading to the NFL Draft after this season, he is looking to bring hardware home.
The long shot to make some real money in the Michigan Wolverines. Them at +3400 odds is a sneaky team to watch make some noise. They are a winning program and no one expects them to be mediocre for more than one season.
A team that looks enticing but could be dangerous to bet is the Crimson Tide. Not being confident in who is running the offense and with a hot seat coach just is a recipe for disaster.
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