Week 1 of the 2025-26 college football season is coming up at the end of August, meaning it’s time to start thinking about CFP futures betting.

Many of the teams that competed in last year’s inaugural 12-team playoff format are expected to be back in the mix in 2025. Every sportsbook lists Texas and Ohio State as the college football national championship odds favorites, and they’ll face off at Ohio Stadium in the must-see matchup of Week 1.

This guide to betting the 2025-26 national championship previews everything you need to know ahead of what will be another exciting season of college football. We’ll touch on the latest national championship odds, how the odds are calculated and which teams you should consider betting on.

Latest college football national championship odds

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook as of July 21:

How odds are determined

Sportsbooks don’t take shortcuts when it comes to setting college football betting odds. Many factors are taken into account to place the most accurate lines, including:

• Coaching: The teams with the best coaches and assistants get the nation’s top recruits, transfer portal classes and ample funding from their universities. When a team brings in a new head coach or coordinators, it can either improve or diminish their national championship odds.
• Past performance: If a team performed at a high level in 2024, it is likely to get the benefit of doubt from oddsmakers. This is especially true for SEC and Big Ten programs that face tough conference schedules.
• Roster changes: Returning key contributors and improving a roster through the transfer portal and recruiting go a long way with oddsmakers. For instance, Clemson ranks first nationally in returning production, and the Tigers hold the seventh-best odds to win the national championship.
• Injuries: If a star player is dealing with an injury, especially a QB, it will surely hurt a team’s national title odds. This could be part of the reason why Miami has the 13th-best odds to win it all. Incoming QB Carson Beck was limited in practice this offseason due to an elbow injury.
• Public perception: CFP futures odds aren’t always a reflection of which teams have the best shot at winning the 12-team tournament. Sportsbooks are focused on earning a profit, and odds are set accordingly to achieve that goal.

Top contenders for the 2025-26 national championship

Conference realignment made the SEC and Big Ten even more powerful, and the top of the 2025-26 national championship odds board is littered with teams from each conference.

At FanDuel Sportsbook, Clemson (+1300) and Notre Dame (+1300) are the only non-SEC or Big Ten teams with top 10 odds of winning the CFP.

Below are the five contenders with the best national championship odds at FanDuel:

Texas (+550)

The Longhorns made the CFP for the first time in 2024, and it’s up to new starting QB Arch Manning to get them back to the dance. He’ll have to battle through adversity, as Texas replaces most of its offensive line and pass catchers from last season.

The Longhorns have a tough Week 1 showdown with Ohio State, but they avoid SEC Championship odds favorites like Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss.

Ohio State (+600)

The reigning national champions lost a lot of talent to the NFL Draft, and coach Ryan Day will rely on a new group of players aiming to be the first back-to-back national champion since Georgia in 2021 and 2022.

First-time starter Julian Sayin is the frontrunner in the QB battle, and he’ll benefit from throwing to sophomore sensation Jeremiah Smith. However, the Buckeyes must replace a lot of production on defense and both coordinators.

Georgia (+600)

Carson Beck hit the transfer portal, but Georgia already has its next QB in former four-star recruit Gunner Stockton. Stockton has been in Athens since 2022, and his familiarity with the coaching staff will be crucial.

The 2024 season is seen as a setback for the Bulldogs, despite their victory in the SEC Championship. As long as coach Kirby Smart is at the helm, Georgia will be in the mix for a national championship.

Penn State (+750)

Penn State reached new heights under coach James Franklin in 2024, advancing to the CFP semifinal. QB Drew Allar is back, along with RBs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

On defense, DE Dani Dennis-Sutton and DT Zane Durant also return with hopes of bringing a national title to State College. With a solid foundation of veteran players and new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, the Nittany Lions could win their first national championship since 1986.

Oregon (+1100)

The Ducks’ record has improved every year since coach Dan Lanning took over in 2022. The 2024 season was highlighted by an undefeated regular season record and a Big Ten Championship.

Oregon’s conference schedule is navigable, but it’ll have to get through it with its third starting QB in as many years. QB Dante Moore is a Heisman Trophy hopeful, and Lanning retooled the roster with the fifth-best transfer portal class in the nation.

Emerging teams to watch

Oddsmakers have been spot on with national championship odds in recent years. According to SportsOddsHistory.com, nine of the past 10 champions had preseason odds of +800 or shorter.

These are the most likely candidates to bust this national championship betting trend. The odds for each team are available at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Clemson (+1300)

Clemson has won the ACC in seven of the past nine seasons. The Tigers are a tier above the rest of the conference, and that should continue in 2025. The Tigers return 81% of their production from last season, the most in college football.

Quarterback Cade Klubnik has a shot at winning the Heisman thanks to the pass-catching trio of Bryant Wesco Jr., Antonio Williams and T.J. Moore. If you’re looking for college football value bets, take the Tigers at +1000.

Notre Dame (+1300)

Building a strong culture is extremely important, and coach Marcus Freeman proved that by competing in the 2024 national championship despite countless injuries.

Notre Dame has tough matchups against Miami, Texas A&M and USC. If they go 3-0 in those games, watch for another deep CFP run from the Fighting Irish.

Florida (+3300)

If you aren’t familiar with QB DJ Lagway, you will be soon. He had a phenomenal freshman season, going 5-1 as Florida’s starter. The Gators ended the year with four straight wins, including upsets vs. LSU and Ole Miss. They face one of the hardest schedules in the nation, but will be battle-tested if they earn a spot in the CFP.

RELATED: Get a closer look at Alabama’s national championship odds.

Key factors influencing the 2025-26 championship race

The ever-changing landscape of college football has kept coaches on their toes as they try to stay ahead of the curve. Fans and bettors need to be aware of these factors as well, as they have a major impact on CFP futures betting odds.

Impact of the transfer portal

The transfer portal is a key resource for programs looking to bolster their rosters by adding talent to positions of need. LSU lost four games last season, but could be a national championship contender in 2025 after acquiring the top transfer portal class in the nation.

Auburn grabbed former five-star QB Jackson Arnold in the portal, and the Tigers hold top 20 national championship odds.

Conference realignment

The power dynamic shifted greatly last season when Texas and Oklahoma joined the SEC, and Oregon, USC, UCLA and Washington entered the Big Ten. The conferences combined to send seven teams to the 2024 CFP. SEC and Big Ten teams play the toughest schedules in the nation, offering opportunities to earn quality wins.

Quarterback transitions

Based on the 2025-26 national championship odds at FanDuel, seven of the top 10 teams are starting new QBs this season. This could provide a massive edge to programs with returning starters, such as Penn State (Drew Allar), Clemson (Cade Klubnik) and LSU (Garrett Nussmeier).

Betting strategies for college football national championship futures

Getting the best value on your CFP futures bets is all about picking the best time to place a wager. These expert tips highlight the key factors to analyze before submitting a pick.

Target value bets early: If you expect a team to start the year hot, it’s best to get your bet in before Week 1. The national championship odds shift daily, and sportsbooks will shorten the odds when early-season contenders emerge.

Monitor roster changes: Programs with highly-touted transfer portal classes have significant upside. 247Sports ranks Texas Tech’s (+12000 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook) transfer portal class as the second-best in the nation. It’s also important to keep up with injuries at key positions.

Consider conference schedules: The level of competition for ACC and Big 12 teams doesn’t match the SEC or Big Ten. Clemson (+1300 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook) is my best bet for the 2025 national championship because the Tigers face a much easier schedule compared to the other title contenders. However, it could be a negative when they face elite squads in the CFP.

Hedge during the season: Some bettors avoid hedging like the plague, but it’s a great way to up your chances of receiving a profit. For example, if one of your national championship futures bets is still alive deep into the CFP, consider betting on another team to feel even more confident in landing a payout.

College football national championship odds FAQs

Who is favored to win the 2025-26 college football national championship?

Most sportsbooks list Texas (+550 odds at FanDuel) as the favorite to win the title. Meanwhile, DraftKings gives a slight edge to defending national champion Ohio State.

When and where will the 2025-26 national championship game be played?

The 2025-26 national championship is scheduled for Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Which teams offer the best value bets for the 2025-26 season?

Clemson (+1300 odds at FanDuel) returns the most production in college football, including third-year starting QB Cade Klubnik. Texas Tech (+12000 odds at FanDuel) is another interesting option, considering coach Joey McGuire’s success in the transfer portal.

How does the 12-team playoff format affect betting odds?

Throughout the regular season, there will be more teams with long but realistic odds to win the national championship. This is due to the CFP expanding to 12 teams, allowing more programs to compete for the title.

When should I place my futures bets?

Deciding when to place a CFP futures bet depends on the team you’re looking to back. If you expect a team to start the year hot, it’s best to get your wager in before the season kicks off. However, you may find an undervalued team midway through the year, in which case you should place a bet before the odds diminish heading into the CFP.