College Football Championship Odds & Favorites 2025: Texas, Ohio State Favored Entering Quarterfinals
The first round of the College Football Playoff is in the books, and the latest college football championship odds feature a new team among the favorites.
Texas remains the team to beat with the shortest odds (+330) across our best college football betting sites. Public money has poured in on the Longhorns ever since the College Football Playoff bracket was initially released, and they rewarded that confidence with an impressive win over Clemson.
Yet Oregon (+480) - the CFP No. 1 seed and co-favorite last week - has fallen behind Big Ten rival Ohio State (+380), which is favored by the Ohio State vs. Oregon opening odds despite the Ducks winning the first matchup in October.
College football championship odds 2025
Live college football championship odds from our best sports betting apps.
- Texas: The Longhorns were drawing plenty of support before the first round, and they're even bigger favorites after an opening win over Clemson
- Ohio State: The Buckeyes weren't among the five favorites entering the first round, though a dominant win over Tennessee has them dealing as the second favorite
- Oregon: The Ducks are the No. 1 seeds but sit third behind Texas and Ohio State by the latest college football championship odds ahead of a rematch with the Buckeyes
- Penn State: The Nittany Lions blew out SMU in the opening round of the CFP and is already favored to advance past Boise State in Round 2
- Georgia: The preseason favorites have fallen to fifth on the oddsboard ahead of a tricky test against Notre Dame, especially if starting QB Carson Beck is out
College football championship favorites 2025
Texas (+330)
Even with a disappointing loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship, Texas entered the College Football Playoff as the favorite behind a rush of public money.
The Longhorns did nothing to discourage bettors with an impressive first-round win over Clemson, and they remain in the top spot where they sat for much of the regular season.
Georgia is the only team to get the better of Steve Sarkisian's men, which perhaps explains why bettors are so high on Texas heading into the quarterfinals. The Longhorns missed out on an automatic bye when they lost the SEC Championship Game, but they ensured they'd avoid the Bulldogs until the title game, if not entirely.
Either way, Texas is a true national championship contender. The Longhorns are one of three teams to boast a top-15 total offense and defense. They've got NFL talent littered across both sides of the ball, and they're multiple players deep at running back and every position on the defensive line.
The key to Texas' success is likely its quarterback play. Quinn Ewers hasn't been stellar when his number has been called this season, but he's been good enough to get the job done against teams not named Georgia. Can he, or Arch Manning, elevate the Longhorns' offense to a national title?
As our Rob Paul has noted in the past, it's difficult to back anybody with odds of +400 or shorter, especially a team that failed to win its conference championship. Nevertheless, DraftKings has the best odds on the board for those looking to bet on Texas. A $10 winning wager on the Longhorns would profit $33.
Best odds: +330 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 23.26%
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Ohio State (+380)
For so much of this season, the Buckeyes were considered the best team in college football from a roster - if not a resume - standpoint. But an early loss to Oregon and a stunning loss to Michigan to close the regular season left a sour taste for bettors and the general public.
That all changed in the first round of the College Football Playoff, when Ohio State absolutely pummeled Tennessee in a 42-17 victory that left no doubt about the Buckeyes' place among college football's elite teams.
Here's the question: does that win justify moving the Buckeyes ahead of the Ducks, who beat them in a thrilling matchup at Autzen Stadium earlier this season?
Neither team was at full strength, as we broke down in our Ohio State vs. Oregon early picks. Both teams are playing even better now than they were ahead of that instant classic, making this a true clash of titans in the quarterfinal.
For now, it's hard to justify laying the short odds on Ohio State given how it looked just a few weeks ago against Michigan, but it's hard to deny that the Buckeyes appear to be one of the very few teams that you don't want to bet against.
Best odds: +380 via Caesars | Implied probability: 20.83%
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Oregon (+480)
It seems as if, despite being the betting favorites for weeks, the public isn't quite sold on Oregon. And that's especially true after seeing the odds movement after the first round, when the Ducks were sitting at home after earning a bye.
Oregon's CV is one of the - if not the - best in the country. The Ducks successfully navigated a difficult Big Ten schedule en route to a perfect season.
Dan Lanning and Co. also have two of the most impressive victories this season: a 32-31 win over Ohio State in Eugene and an eight-point win over Penn State in the Big Ten Championship.
They also feature a top-15 scoring offense and defense, a quarterback who was invited to the Heisman Trophy ceremony, and NFL talent across the board. Yet oddsmakers don't seem sold.
Oregon opened up as the clear favorite when the College Football Playoff odds were released. Now, they sit third behind Texas and Ohio State. It's often understandable when bettors stay away from betting favorites on the futures market. But in this case, the Ducks are trading at nearly +500 odds despite being the No. 1 seed.
At this price, there is clearly value in picking the Ducks to win the national title with a $10 winning wager profiting $48 entering the quarterfinal round.
Best odds: +480 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 17.24%
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My college football championship team to watch
Penn State (+525)
Similar to Texas, I felt better about Penn State's chances to compete for a national championship following its loss in the conference title. The Nittany Lions put up plenty of points against a stellar Oregon defense, and while they never truly looked like winning, they went toe-to-toe with the Ducks throughout.
James Franklin's time in Happy Valley often gets undervalued because of his losses to Ohio State and, at the time, Michigan. However, he's done an excellent job of winning the games he's supposed to, which is why Penn State's College Football Playoff draw is so important to this selection.
After blowing out SMU in a clear mismatch on paper, the Nittany Lions face the only non-power conference program in the 12-team field (Boise State) in the next round.
Penn State is already a massive favorite to beat the Broncos in the Penn State vs. Boise State opening odds, and we like the Nittany Lions' chances to win as we laid out in our Penn State vs. Boise State early picks.
Caesars has the longest odds on the market on Penn State to win a title. A $10 wager at the aforementioned sportsbook would return $52.50 if Franklin and Co. can bring the school its first title in almost four decades.
Best odds: +525 via Caesars | Implied probability: 16%
AP Top 25 college football poll Week 15
| Ranking | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | 13-0 |
| 2 | Georgia | 11-2 |
| 3 | Notre Dame | 11-1 |
| 4 | Texas | 11-2 |
| 5 | Penn State | 11-2 |
| 6 | Ohio State | 10-2 |
| 7 | Tennessee | 10-2 |
| 8 | Boise State | 12-1 |
| 9 | Indiana | 11-1 |
| 10 | Arizona State | 11-2 |
| 11 | Alabama | 9-3 |
| 12 | SMU | 11-2 |
| 13 | Clemson | 10-3 |
| 14 | South Carolina | 9-3 |
| 15 | Miami | 10-2 |
| 16 | Ole Miss | 9-3 |
| 17 | BYU | 10-2 |
| 18 | Iowa State | 10-3 |
| 19 | Army | 11-1 |
| 20 | Colorado | 9-3 |
| 21 | Illinois | 9-3 |
| 22 | Syracuse | 9-3 |
| 23 | Missouri | 9-3 |
| 24 | UNLV | 10-3 |
| 25 | Memphis | 10-2 |
Conference championship week saw minimal movement across the AP Top 25. Clemson's upset win over SMU in the ACC Championship led to the biggest change in the rankings
Even though the Mustangs mounted a near comeback and lost only on a last-second field goal, they stumbled four spots down to No. 12. However, Clemson moved up only five spots to No. 13, and the Tigers remain behind SMU.
Within the top 10, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State all moved up at least two spots. Meanwhile, Texas and Penn State both fell two spots after losing their respective conference championships.
The biggest riser outside of the top 13 was Army after the Black Knights hammered Tulane to win the AAC Championship as an underdog. Army moved up five spots and is now ranked No. 19 ahead of its annual game against Navy.
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 title odds over time
Latest odds via DraftKings.
| Team | Opening odds (Jan. 9) | Oct. 11 | Dec. 12 | Dec. 16 | Dec. 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | +350 | +500 | +450 | +500 | +550 |
| Alabama | +550 | +650 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Ohio State | +800 | +280 | +475 | +475 | +360 |
| Texas | +900 | +400 | +360 | +360 | +330 |
| Michigan | +900 | +30000 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Oregon | +1000 | +1000 | +360 | +360 | +425 |
| Ole Miss | +1100 | +1800 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| LSU | +1600 | +5000 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Clemson | +2000 | +2200 | +5500 | +5500 | OFF |
| Florida State | +2000 | OFF | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Notre Dame | +2500 | +4000 | +800 | +750 | +550 |
| Penn State | +2500 | +1800 | +600 | +600 | +500 |
| Oklahoma | +3000 | +18000 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| USC | +3000 | +10000 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Texas A&M | +4000 | +5500 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Missouri | +5000 | +10000 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Tennessee | +5000 | +1800 | +2500 | +2500 | OFF |
| Louisville | +8000 | +30000 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Miami | +8000 | +2200 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Utah | +8000 | +9000 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Washington | +8000 | +40000 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Wisconsin | +8000 | +50000 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Auburn | +10000 | +100000 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Kansas State | +10000 | +9000 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| North Carolina | +10000 | +100000 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Colorado | +20000 | +30000 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
College football championship odds history
| Year | Team | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Most college football championships by school
| School | Championship wins | Most recent win |
|---|---|---|
| Yale | 18 | 1927 |
| Alabama | 16 | 2020 |
| Princeton | 15 | 1922 |
| Notre Dame | 13 | 1988 |
| Michigan | 10 | 2023 |
| USC | 9 | 2004 |
| Harvard | 8 | 1919 |
| Ohio State | 8 | 2014 |
| Oklahoma | 7 | 2000 |
| Minnesota | 6 | 1960 |
College football championship FAQs
Who is the CFP National Championship favorite?
Texas is the favorite by the 2025 college football championship odds. The Longhorns' best odds (+330) imply a 23.26% probability they'll win it all according to our odds calculator.
Who won the CFP National Championship last year?
The Michigan Wolverines won their first title since 1997 by defeating the Washington Huskies in the 2024 national championship.
When will the CFP National Championship be decided?
The 2025 CFP National Championship will be decided on Monday, Jan. 20.
Where will the CFP National Championship take place?
The 2025 college football championship will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.
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.
When does the College Football Playoff start?
The 2025 College Football Playoff started with the first round on Dec. 20 and 21, with games being played at the campus of the higher seed. The quarterfinals will be played across the Fiesta, Peach, Rose, and Sugar Bowl on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
The semifinals take place Jan. 9 and 10 at the Orange and Cotton Bowl before the CFP National Championship game on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.
How many teams make the College Football Playoff?
Previously only four teams were selected for the College Football Playoff, but this season the playoff expanded to 12 teams. The top five ranked conference champions were automatic qualifiers for the playoff along with seven at-large teams, decided by the College Football Playoff selection committee.
The top four conference champions received a first-round bye in the playoff.
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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