College Football National Championship Odds 2026: Ohio State, Texas Early Title Favorites
The inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff came to a close with the Ohio State Buckeyes beating Notre Dame 34-23 in Atlanta.
While college football hasn't seen a back-to-back champion since Alabama in 2011 and 2012, the Buckeyes (+450) are the early favorites to repeat by the 2026 college football national championship odds. Other blue bloods - such as Georgia, Oregon, Penn State, and Texas - are expected to be in the mix for a title, as well.
The 2026 national championship will be played Monday, Jan. 19, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
These odds will shift over the next 12 months, with coaching changes, the transfer portal, and eventually live football games being the biggest factors impacting the odds at our best college football betting sites.
2026 college football national championship odds
College football national championship betting favorites 2026
Ohio State odds to win 2026 championship (+450)
Despite the special season that Ohio State just put together, these odds are hard to swallow given how much the Buckeyes are set to lose. As many as 16 players could leave Ryan Day's roster after being selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, which would break Georgia's record.
Among the most significant losses would be Will Howard, and the Buckeyes will hope to replace him with redshirt freshman Julian Sayin. On the bright side, Ohio State will return arguably the best two players in the country in receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs.
If they can lead a new look Ohio State squad to a championship, a $10 bet pays a $45 profit.
Best odds: +450 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 79.17%
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Texas odds to win 2026 championship (+700)
It's the dawn of a new era in Austin as Heisman Trophy odds contender Arch Manning takes over as Texas' starting quarterback. He'll look to lead Steve Sarkisian's team over the hump after it reached the College Football Playoff semifinals before eventually falling to Ohio State last season.
The Longhorns are expected to lose as many as 13 starters to the NFL Draft or graduation. However, with CJ Baxter and Quintrevion Wisner returning in the backfield, Texas will still be a force to be reckoned with next season.
Our best sports betting sites give Arch a 12.50% implied probability of becoming the first member of the Manning family with a national championship.
Best odds: +700 via Caesars | Implied probability: 12.50%
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Georgia odds to win 2026 championship (+700)
While it may feel weird calling this dry spell a drought for Georgia, it's the truth. The Bulldogs have now gone two years without a national title. Kirby Smart raised the standards in Athens and his teams have failed to live up to expectations over the last couple of seasons.
Carson Beck is off to Miami, which means it's Gunner Stockton's time to shine. Stockton showed promise in the SEC Championship win over Texas. Unfortunately for the young quarterback, he'll lose a sizable chunk of his complementary cast. A majority of Georgia's offensive line, Trevor Etienne, and leading receivers Dominic Lovett and Arian Smith are on the way out.
Nevertheless, as long as Smart is leading the program, the Bulldogs (+700 at FanDuel) will be in the mix.
Best odds: +700 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 12.50%
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Alabama odds to win 2026 championship (+1600)
Kalen DeBoer was given the impossible task of succeeding Nick Saban, so unless Alabama had a perfect season in his first year, it was never going to be smooth sailing. However, it's often overlooked just how young DeBoer's team was during his debut campaign.
The Crimson Tide will bring back a myriad of talent in 2025, led by freshman sensation Ryan Williams. Former five-star recruit Ty Simpson appears to be ahead in the race to take over as the program's starting signal caller, as well.
While we wouldn't blame anybody for taking a flier on Alabama at BetMGM (+1600), we do believe there's better value out there - looking at you, Clemson and LSU - with the Crimson Tide being slightly overvalued for a team with a lot of questions to answer this offseason.
Best odds: +1600 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 5.88%
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My college football national championship contender to watch
Notre Dame odds to win 2026 championship (+1600)
On one hand, it's easy to expect a regression from Marcus Freeman's group in 2025, given the natural roster overhaul in the sport. On the other hand, it's important to remember that the 12-team College Football Playoff is tailor-made to an independent team such as Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish bring back the best player on their offense, Jeremiyah Love, as well as young talent in the trenches and defensive secondary. As long as Freeman and Co. can navigate the regular season with relative success, they'll be invited back to the dance, where they can make some noise once again.
DraftKings gives Notre Dame a 5.88% implied probability of winning the big one for the first time in almost four decades.
Best odds: +1600 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 5.88%
College football national championship opening odds
2025-26 college football championship opening odds via DraftKings as of Monday, Jan. 20:
- Ohio State (+450)
- Texas (+500)
- Georgia (+550)
- Oregon (+750)
- Penn State (+900)
- Alabama (+1200)
- Notre Dame (+1600)
- Clemson (+2000)
- LSU (+2000)
- Tennessee (+2000)
- Miami (+2500)
- Ole Miss (+2500)
- Michigan (+3000)
- Texas A&M (+3500)
- South Carolina (+4000)
- Florida (+6000)
- Oklahoma (+7000)
- USC (+7000)
- Auburn (+8000)
- SMU (+8000)
- Arizona State (+9000)
- Kansas State (+9000)
- Colorado (+10000)
- Florida State (+10000)
- Louisville (+10000)
- North Carolina (+10000)
- Iowa State (+12000)
- Utah (+12000)
- BYU (+15000)
- Indiana (+15000)
- Nebraska (+15000)
- Virginia Tech (+15000)
- Arkansas (+20000)
- Boise State (+20000)
- Illinois (+20000)
- Iowa (+20000)
- Missouri (+20000)
- Syracuse (+25000)
- Baylor (+25000)
- Georgia Tech (+25000)
- Kansas (+25000)
- NC State (+25000)
- TCU (+25000)
- Wisconsin (+25000)
- Kentucky (+30000)
- West Virginia (+30000)
College football national championship betting history
| Year | Team | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Ohio State | +325 |
| 2024 | Michigan | +800 |
| 2023 | Georgia | +350 |
| 2022 | Georgia | +600 |
| 2021 | Alabama | +300 |
| 2020 | LSU | +2500 |
| 2019 | Clemson | +400 |
| 2018 | Alabama | +250 |
| 2017 | Clemson | +700 |
| 2016 | Alabama | +700 |
| 2015 | Ohio State | +4000 |
| 2014 | Florida State | +1600 |
How to bet on the college football championship
When betting on college football championship odds, first, choose a reputable sportsbook that offers college football futures. Check out the odds for different teams; for example, if Alabama has +300 odds and Ohio State has +600, a $100 bet on Alabama would win you $300 if they take the championship.
Decide how much you want to wager and place your bet. If you bet $100 on Alabama at +300 and they win, you’ll get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake). Keep an eye on team performances throughout the season to see how your bet is shaping up.
Remember, when betting in future markets, the odds will move. It’s mostly about performance and perception.
If a team starts playing better or worse than expected, its odds will change. Injuries to key players can significantly impact a team's chances and thus their odds. Transfers and new player acquisitions can also affect a team's championship odds. Public betting trends play a role too - if a lot of people are betting on one team, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to balance their risk.
Expert analysis and predictions can also influence how people bet, which in turn affects the odds.
How to read college football championship odds
Reading college football championship odds is straightforward. Odds are usually presented in a format like +300 or -150. Positive odds (i.e., +300) show how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet. For example, a $100 bet at +300 odds would win you $300, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $400.
Negative odds (i.e., -150) indicate how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $150 bet at -150 odds would win you $100, plus your $150 stake, totaling $250.
These odds also reflect the implied probability of a team winning the championship. Lower odds (i.e., +200) suggest a higher probability of winning, while higher odds (i.e., +1000) indicate a lower probability.
Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on factors like team performance, injuries, transfers, and betting patterns.
For example, if Alabama has +300 odds and Ohio State has +600 odds, Alabama is considered more likely to win. If you bet $100 on Alabama and they win, you’d get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake).
College football national championship FAQs
Who is favored to win the 2026 college football championship?
Ohio State is favored to win the 2026 college football national championship. The Buckeyes' best odds (+450) imply a 18.18% probability they'll win it all, according to our odds calculator.
Who won the college football championship last year?
The Ohio State Buckeyes won last year's CFP National Championship, defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23 in Atlanta.
When will the college football championship be decided?
The 2026 college football national championship will be decided on Monday, Jan. 19.
Where will the college football championship take place?
The 2026 college football national championship will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Who has won the most college football championships?
Yale has won the most college football championships with 18. Alabama ranks second with 16 total victories, and the Crimson Tide's three championships in the college football playoff era also stand as the most.
College football odds pages
| College Football Championship Odds | SEC Odds | Big 12 Odds | Bowl Season Odds & Info |
| Heisman Trophy Odds | Big Ten Odds | Pac-12 Odds | Bowl game opt-out tracker |
| College Football Playoff Odds | Mountain West Odds | ACC Odds |
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