The college football season may be four months away, but it’s never too early to review the 2025-26 national championship odds. Staying on top of the odds market and following intel from spring practices can help find the teams offering the best value.

After winning the national title last season, Ohio State has the best odds of adding another ring to the trophy case. However, many of the Buckeyes’ starters have entered the 2025 NFL Draft, leaving little value in betting OSU to repeat.

Ohio State isn’t the only team looking to replace its stars. A majority of the programs with the top national championship odds are transitioning to new starting QBs. Tennessee was the latest to join the list after Nico Iamaleava’s shocking decision to join the transfer portal.

Ahead of a college football season that could be filled with unexpected twists, here are the latest College Football Playoff national championship odds.

CFP National Championship odds

Odds via BetMGM Sportsbook as of April 18:

• Ohio State: +500
• Texas: +500
• Georgia: +650
• Oregon: +750
• Penn State: +900
• Notre Dame: +1400
• Alabama: +1500
• Tennessee: +2000
• Clemson: +2000
• LSU: +2000
• Michigan: +2200
• Ole Miss: +2500
• Texas A&M: +3000
• Miami: +3000
• South Carolina: +4000

There aren’t many surprises at the top of the national championship odds board. Eight of the top 10 teams listed above made last year’s inaugural 12-team CFP.

Ohio State and Texas hold identical odds at BetMGM, but most sportsbooks give a slight edge to the Buckeyes. The teams square off at Ohio Stadium in Week 1, and the winner is guaranteed to separate from the pack. The early betting lines at FanDuel list the Buckeyes as a 3.5-point favorite.

Related: Check out Alabama’s future betting odds

The SEC leads the way with eight schools in BetMGM’s list of the 15 teams with the best odds to win the national championship. The Big Ten’s four representatives are the second most, followed by two from the ACC. Oddsmakers don’t hold the Big 12 in high regard, as Arizona State’s +9000 odds (21st) are the best in the conference.

Early predictions and best bets for the 2025 CFP National Championship

Clemson Tigers

Best odds: +2000 at DraftKings Sportsbook

It’s been six years since head coach Dabo Swinney led Clemson to a national title. College football has changed drastically in that time, and you could argue Swinney’s limited use of the transfer portal is a sign of the sport passing him by.

While that may be true, it doesn’t mean Clemson can’t make a championship run in 2025. Most considered 2024 a down year for the Tigers, but they still won the ACC Championship and earned a spot in the CFP. While most college football rosters look much different from year to year, Clemson has the most returning production in the nation (81%). This level of continuity shouldn’t be overlooked.

QB Cade Klubnik is entering year three as a starter, and his favorite targets from last season are taking another run at the national championship. Wide receiver hasn’t been a strength for Clemson since winning the national title in 2018, and that changed a season ago when Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., and T.J. Moore combined for 2,263 yards. All three are returning for another year.

The defense is stacked at all three levels with players like DE T.J. Parker, LB Wade Woodaz, and CB Avieon Terrell. Clemson is a very well-rounded team that shouldn’t be slept on. Facing a relatively easy ACC schedule will also help get the Tigers back in CFP contention.

Penn State Nittany Lions

Best odds: +900 at BetMGM Sportsbook

Predicting head coach James Franklin to win a national title may get a few eyerolls, and deservedly so. However, the 2025 season may be Penn State’s best shot at winning it all.

For starters, the Nittany Lions made the CFP for the first time last season. They were the No. 4 team in the final rankings, so the expansion to 12 teams wasn’t the reason they got in. Penn State advanced to the semifinal and fell short against Notre Dame, but the experience of playing in a game of that magnitude is quite valuable.

The four teams listed ahead of Penn State in the national championship odds (Ohio State, Texas, Georgia and Oregon) are working with new starting QBs and lost more than 50% of their production from 2024. Meanwhile, QB Drew Allar is back for a Nittany Lions team ranked 33rd nationally in returning production (63%).

Leading rushers Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton are also returning, along with dominant edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton. Swiping defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from Ohio State could bring Penn State’s defense to the next level.

One of the biggest challenges for Franklin is finding a new No. 1 target for Allar. Tyler Warren was Penn State’s best pass catcher last season, and he’s headed to the NFL. If the Nittany Lions grab an impact WR from the spring transfer portal, they’ll be a team to watch in 2025.

LSU Tigers

Best odds: +2000 at bet365 Sportsbook

LSU went 9-4 in 2024, including three losses against ranked opponents. The Tigers couldn’t step up when the level of competition rose, resulting in head coach Brian Kelly’s worst record since taking over in 2022.

Kelly’s seat will only get warmer if LSU misses the 12-team playoff again this season. Luckily, a quick turnaround may be coming after the Tigers landed the second-best transfer portal class, per 247Sports.

QB Garrett Nussmeier will be in Baton Rouge for his senior year, and he’ll have a few more playmakers to work with. Wide receiver was a position of emphasis in the portal, with players like Nic Anderson, Barion Brown, Destyn Hill. Leading receiver Aaron Anderson is returning, providing a safety blanket for Nussmeier while he builds chemistry with the new players.

The Tigers also grabbed seven defensive players in the portal, and six received four-star ratings. LSU’s defense was one of the worst in the SEC last year and the influx of talent should change that.

A nine-win season in 2024 may not meet the standard in Baton Rouge, but it shows the Tigers aren’t far off from making the CFP. Relying on the portal is a risk Kelly had to take entering year four, and it could also pay huge dividends.