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2026 CFP National Championship Odds: Ohio State Takes Over as Favorite
Updated:
- Track the CFP National Championship odds for every contending NCAA football program
- Ohio State enters Week 2 as the sole favorite at +550 after beating Texas in Week 1
- The graphs below show the movement in the NCAAF Championship odds throughout the season
We’re tracking the 2025-26 college football national championship odds for all major contenders through the entire season. The current CFP Championship odds from leading sportsbooks are displayed below, highlighting the best available prices for each team.
Our graphs plot the championship odds movement over time with detailed analysis explaining the shifts. National title odds opened immediately after last season’s championship game, and Ohio State has emerged as the new favorite following Week 1 action. Check out the complete championship odds below with detailed line movement notes.
The 2026 CFP Championship game takes place Monday, January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
2026 National Championship Odds
Team
|
Best Odds
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 OSU |
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+550 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +600 BET NOW | +600 BET NOW |
 PSU |
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+600 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +700 BET NOW | +650 BET NOW |
 ORE |
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+700 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +700 BET NOW | +650 BET NOW |
 UGA |
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+600 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +750 BET NOW | +750 BET NOW |
 TEX |
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+700 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +850 BET NOW | +800 BET NOW |
 LSU |
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+1000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +900 BET NOW | +750 BET NOW |
 BAMA |
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+1300 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +1400 BET NOW | +1200 BET NOW |
 MIA |
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+1600 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +1600 BET NOW | +1600 BET NOW |
 TAMU |
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+1800 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +2200 BET NOW | +2500 BET NOW |
 OKLA |
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+2000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +2500 BET NOW | +2200 BET NOW |
 ND |
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+2500 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +2800 BET NOW | +3500 BET NOW |
 TENN |
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+3500 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +3000 BET NOW | +4000 BET NOW |
 CLEM |
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+5000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +5000 BET NOW | +3500 BET NOW |
 AUB |
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+3500 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +4000 BET NOW | +5000 BET NOW |
 USC |
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+5000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +5000 BET NOW | +5000 BET NOW |
 MICH |
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+5000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +4000 BET NOW | +4500 BET NOW |
 MISS |
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+5000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +5000 BET NOW | +6000 BET NOW |
 FSU |
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+5000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +6000 BET NOW | +5000 BET NOW |
 TTU |
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+8000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +6000 BET NOW | +5000 BET NOW |
 UTAH |
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+8000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +9000 BET NOW | +7000 BET NOW |
 GT |
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+10000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +7000 BET NOW | +7000 BET NOW |
 ILL |
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- BET NOW | - BET NOW | +10000 BET NOW | +10000 BET NOW |
 LOU |
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+10000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +10000 BET NOW | +10000 BET NOW |
 MIZ |
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+12500 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +8000 BET NOW | +9000 BET NOW |
 IND |
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+10000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +9000 BET NOW | +12500 BET NOW |
 ISU |
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+15000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +12000 BET NOW | +12500 BET NOW |
 NEB |
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+15000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +15000 BET NOW | +15000 BET NOW |
 FLA |
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+8000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +9000 BET NOW | +17500 BET NOW |
 TCU |
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+10000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +12000 BET NOW | +20000 BET NOW |
 SMU |
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+15000 BET NOW | - BET NOW | +20000 BET NOW | +20000 BET NOW |
Ohio State currently leads the pack as favorites for the 2026 CFP National Championship. A $20 wager on the Buckeyes at +550 odds would profit $110 and return $130 total. Those odds translate to a 15.4% implied probability for Ohio State to cut down the nets in Miami.
The Buckeyes sit ahead of Penn State (+617), Georgia (+683), and Texas (+733) in the title race. These four programs have odds below 8-1 and represent the elite tier of championship contenders entering conference play. LSU rounds out the top five at +1000 following their impressive road victory at Clemson.
Texas and Ohio State started the season as co-favorites in preseason betting. After the Buckeyes’ suffocating defensive effort against Arch Manning and Texas in Columbus, Ohio State has pulled away as the clear favorite. Their 14-7 win proved that elite defense still decides championships, even when the offense sputters.
The odds table above displays real-time 2026 CFP Championship prices. Additionally, the graph below tracks how national title odds have shifted since opening day.
*National championship odds refresh every 1-2 hours based on the time of day, pulling from leading sports betting platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM; new users at DraftKings should grab the latest DraftKings promo before betting.
Track 2026 CFP Championship Odds
These line graphs compile averaged championship odds from multiple vetted sportsbooks featured at SBD. The charts update weekly during the regular season, plus after major offseason developments.
Now that games have kicked off, expect significant weekly swings based on Saturday’s results rather than offseason speculation.
For those placing CFP Championship futures bets, consider the bet365 bonus code for new customers this college football season. Bettors can also register with ESPN’s sportsbook platform and secure an ESPN BET promo for championship game wagering.
National Championship Line Movement
Here’s the detailed movement for leading CFP Championship contenders:
- [September 2] Week 1 created massive movement in the championship odds. Ohio State took over as the sole favorite at +550 after their 14-7 victory over Texas. The Buckeyes’ defense completely shut down Arch Manning in his debut, holding him to just 170 yards passing with a pick. Texas fell from +500 to +733, a significant drop for the preseason co-favorites.
- [September 2] LSU made the biggest jump of any contender, improving from +1533 to +1000 after their 17-10 road victory over Clemson. The Tigers snapped a five-game losing streak in season openers and proved they belong in the championship conversation. Miami also surged from +3333 to +2500 after their comeback win over Notre Dame.
- [September 2] Alabama’s odds lengthened from +1000 to +1467 after their shocking 31-17 loss to Florida State. The Crimson Tide entered as 14-point favorites and lost by exactly that margin. Despite falling to No. 21 in the AP Poll, sportsbooks still gave them the sixth-best title odds, showing a massive disconnect between voters and oddsmakers.
- [August 15] Texas (+500) and Ohio State (+525) enter the 2025-26 season as co-favorites. Georgia (+717) and Penn State (+700) rounded out the top four. A massive $300,000 bet on Texas at +500 made the Longhorns one of the biggest liabilities for sportsbooks heading into the season.
- [January 21] Following their 34-23 championship victory over Notre Dame, Ohio State opened as a +450 favorite for 2025-26. Texas checked in at +500 with Arch Manning taking over at quarterback. The early odds reflect Ohio State’s dominance in the first 12-team playoff and Texas’s high-profile QB succession plan.
Looking for the latest College Football odds? – Get current spreads, totals, and moneyline odds for all upcoming games this week here.
2026 CFP Championship Public Betting Splits
Preseason public betting data from ESPN BET showed where the money was flowing before Week 1:
| Team | % of Bets | % of Handle |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 20.4% | 12.3% |
| Penn State | 12.7% | 11.9% |
| Ohio State | 12.9% | 10.2% |
| LSU | 6.8% | 9.4% |
| Clemson | 8.1% | 8.4% |
Texas led in preseason betting action with 20.4% of total bets, showing the public’s confidence in Arch Manning and the Longhorns before the season kicked off.
Penn State and Ohio State drew similar betting interest, while LSU attracted sharp money with a higher percentage of handle than total bets. The gap between bet percentage and handle percentage suggested larger bettors were already targeting LSU as a value play.
2026 Early CFP Championship Favorites
The championship favorites after Week 1 combine preseason projections with actual on-field results. Ohio State, Penn State, Georgia, Texas, and LSU comprise the elite group of title contenders. Oregon and Notre Dame follow with longer odds, especially after the Irish collapsed against Miami.
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes validated their favorite status by suffocating Texas and Arch Manning in Columbus. Ryan Day’s defense played at a championship level, limiting the Longhorns to 7 points while making Manning appear overwhelmed during his first major road test. When your defense performs at that standard, the offense doesn’t need fireworks.
Ohio State brings back the foundation from their title-winning squad. Questions surrounded the offense with Julian Sayin stepping in at quarterback. But if the defense maintains their Week 1 dominance, the Buckeyes won’t require explosive offensive performances to capture back-to-back championships.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State’s 46-11 destruction of Nevada signaled they’re prepared for a deep playoff push. The Nittany Lions face manageable opponents before their Week 5 showdown with Oregon, providing time to establish rhythm. James Franklin’s roster appears more balanced than recent editions.
The Nittany Lions earned 7 first-place votes in the AP Poll, demonstrating national respect. Breaking through against Ohio State remains the key hurdle, but this Penn State team possesses championship-caliber talent.
Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia’s 45-7 demolition of Marshall pushed their home winning streak to 32 games. The Bulldogs dominated all three phases, reinforcing why they’ve set the SEC standard recently. Kirby Smart’s machine continues reloading elite talent rather than rebuilding.
The defense appeared championship-ready against Marshall. While facing an overmatched opponent, Georgia displayed the precision and physicality that captures titles. They project as the SEC’s strongest playoff candidate.
Texas Longhorns
The Week 1 setback stings but doesn’t eliminate Texas from contention. Arch Manning’s rough debut was predictable for a freshman quarterback in that environment. The talent remains elite, and the entire SEC schedule provides opportunities for redemption.
A massive $300,000 preseason bet on Texas at +500 made the Longhorns one of the biggest liabilities for sportsbooks entering the year. Public betting heavily favored Texas before the season with 20.4% of all championship bets. Once Manning finds his comfort zone and the offense clicks, Texas could surge back into the top tier.
LSU Tigers
LSU’s 17-10 triumph at Clemson delivered the statement victory they desperately needed. Breaking a five-game season-opening losing streak while winning a defensive struggle on the road proved this team’s toughness. The defense rose to the occasion repeatedly.
The Tigers posted the week’s largest odds improvement, jumping from +1533 to +1000. Sharp bettors were already targeting LSU in preseason action, evidenced by their handle percentage exceeding their bet percentage in public splits. Maintaining this defensive intensity through SEC play could make LSU this season’s surprise contender.
2026 National Championship Favorites By Conference
Past College Football Championship Winners (CFP Era)
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Ohio State | Notre Dame | 34-23 |
| 2023-24 | Michigan | Washington | 34-13 |
| 2022-23 | Georgia | TCU | 65-7 |
| 2021-22 | Georgia | Alabama | 33-18 |
| 2020-21 | Alabama | Ohio State | 52-24 |
| 2019-20 | LSU | Clemson | 42-25 |
| 2018-19 | Clemson | Alabama | 44-16 |
| 2017-18 | Alabama | Georgia | 26-23 |
| 2016-17 | Clemson | Alabama | 35-31 |
| 2015-16 | Alabama | Clemson | 45-40 |
| 2014-15 | Ohio State | Oregon | 42-20 |
Ohio State captured their second CFP title in 2024-25, becoming the first 8-seed to win the championship in the inaugural 12-team playoff format. The Buckeyes dominated throughout the playoff, winning all four games by double digits.
Georgia remains the only repeat winner of the College Football Championship in the CFP era (2021, 2022). Alabama still leads with three national championships since the College Football Playoff began.
College Football Playoff Appearances & Records
| Team | # of CFP Appearances | CFP Record | # of National Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 8 | 9-5 | 3 |
| Ohio State | 6 | 7-4 | 2 |
| Clemson | 7 | 6-5 | 2 |
| Georgia | 4 | 5-2 | 2 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | 0-4 | 0 |
| Notre Dame | 3 | 3-3 | 0 |
| Michigan | 3 | 2-2 | 1 |
| Oregon | 2 | 1-2 | 0 |
| Texas | 2 | 2-2 | 0 |
| Penn State | 2 | 2-2 | 0 |
| LSU | 1 | 2-0 | 1 |
| TCU | 1 | 1-1 | 0 |
| Indiana | 1 | 0-1 | 0 |
| Tennessee | 1 | 0-1 | 0 |
| SMU | 1 | 0-1 | 0 |
| Boise State | 1 | 0-1 | 0 |
| Arizona State | 1 | 0-1 | 0 |
| Florida State | 1 | 0-1 | 0 |
| Michigan State | 1 | 0-1 | 0 |
| Washington | 2 | 1-2 | 0 |
| Cincinnati | 1 | 0-1 | 0 |
Table updated through 2024-25 CFP.
The expanded 12-team playoff brought seven new programs to the CFP in its first year. Ohio State now has two national titles and trails only Alabama (3) for most championships in the CFP era.
No Independent or team from a Group 5 Conference has ever won a national championship in this time. Boise State became the second Group of 5 team to make the CFP, earning an automatic bid as Mountain West champion. See the current odds to make the College Football Playoff in our tracker.
Active College Coaches with National Championships
| Coach (Current Team) | Number of National Titles |
|---|---|
| Dabo Swinney (Clemson) | 2 |
| Kirby Smart (Georgia) | 2 |
| Ryan Day (Ohio State) | 1 |
| Jimbo Fisher (Texas A&M) | 1 |
| Les Miles (Kansas) | 1 |
| Mack Brown (North Carolina) | 1 |
Ryan Day joined the national championship club with Ohio State’s 2024-25 title. Nick Saban’s retirement and Jim Harbaugh’s departure to the NFL leaves just six active college football coaches with championship rings.
Dabo Swinney and Kirby Smart now share the lead among active coaches with two titles each. Day ended years of criticism by capturing his first championship in his sixth season at Ohio State.
College Football Championship Odds FAQ
Which teams are the favorites to win the CFP National Championship?
Ohio State is the favorite at +550 to win the College Football National Championship, followed by Penn State (+617) and Georgia (+683).
Can I bet on College Football Championship odds?
Yes, the College Football National Championship odds are available to be wagered on. Our top recommended sportsbooks for betting CFP odds are Caesars, Bet365 and BetMGM.
When is the 2025-26 College Football Playoff?
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff begins December 20th with four first-round games. The national title game is scheduled for Monday, January 19th, 2026.
Where is the 2026 CFP Championship game being played?
The 2026 CFP Championship game is being played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Who won the national championship last season?
Ohio State won the national championship last season, defeating Notre Dame 34-23 in the first-ever 12-team playoff.
Archived NCAAF CFP National Championship Odds:
Brady Trettenero
Lead NHL & NCAAF Editor
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
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