The College Football Playoff has arrived, and the road to the national championship is officially set. With first-round matchups taking place this weekend and quarterfinals looming on New Year’s Day, the field is tighter and more defined than it has been all season. From the opening games featuring Oregon, James Madison, Alabama, and Oklahoma to the teams waiting on byes like Indiana, Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas Tech, every result now directly shapes the national title picture.

As always, ScoresandStats is here to guide you through the postseason. Our expert handicappers continue to deliver high-quality College Football picks across every market, including moneylines, point spreads, totals, and futures. With the bracket locked in and paths to the championship now clear, futures betting becomes about matchup, timing, and value, not just reputation.

The defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes are at the top of the odds board, but they are far from alone. Indiana is the No. 1 seed, Georgia brings championship pedigree, Oregon sits on a favorable side of the bracket, and Texas Tech has emerged as one of the most intriguing sleepers in the field. Below, we break down the latest College Football national championship odds, analyze each contender’s path, and identify where bettors may find value as the playoff unfolds.

College Football Championship Odds

Check out the latest College Football Championship odds, courtesy of Scores and Stats:

Despite beating Ohio State in the Big Ten Title game, Indiana slides in behind the Buckeyes as the odds-on favorite to win the 2025-26 College Football national championship. Georgia and Texas Tech are next in NCAAF odds, and both are looming as potential threats to disrupt the Big Ten from winning a third straight championship. James Madison and Tulane are the biggest longshots with the top online betting sites.

Keep reading to see who we think will win the 2026 National Championship and compare our analysis with what the top handicappers are picking.

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College Football Championship Favorites

The following NCAAF teams are considered the odds-on favorites to win the 2026 College Football Championship:

Ohio State Buckeyes (+210)

Ohio State’s case to win the national championship starts with how complete this roster has been all season. Outside of the Big Ten Championship loss to Indiana, the Buckeyes have overwhelmed opponents on both sides of the ball, rarely allowing games to stay competitive into the second half. Defensively, Ohio State has been historically dominant, giving up just 8.2 points per game and allowing only 10 total touchdowns in 13 games, a pace that rivals some of the best units the sport has ever seen. Eight opponents were held to single digits, and only two teams managed multiple touchdowns. In a playoff setting where mistakes are magnified and possessions are limited, that level of defensive control gives Ohio State an enormous margin for error.

That defense becomes even more dangerous given the likely matchups ahead. Ohio State’s top-10 rushing defense forces opponents to become one-dimensional, which plays directly into the strength of a secondary built to take the ball away. Against potential playoff opponents like Miami or Texas A&M, quarterbacks Carson Beck and Marcel Reed would be asked to throw into tight windows all game, something that has consistently backfired against this Buckeyes defense. If Ohio State can dictate terms early and force opponents to chase points, their ability to generate interceptions and kill drives is a championship-level advantage.

Offensively, the conversation centers on Julian Sayin, and that’s fair, but context matters. Sayin has been largely mistake-free for most of the season, recording zero turnovers in seven of nine Big Ten games. The interceptions in back-to-back games stand out because of the stage, yet neither mistake was catastrophic in isolation. One came in a 27–9 win over Michigan, the other was costly against Indiana, but those moments don’t erase months of efficient quarterback play from a redshirt freshman operating in a high-pressure role. With elite weapons like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, Sayin needs to be composed and decisive.

At +210, Ohio State is priced aggressively, but the number still carries value when you factor in path and matchup. The Buckeyes have the most complete roster in the field and a defense capable of deciding games on its own, which lowers variance in a short playoff run. With a favorable draw and multiple ways to win – even if the offense isn’t at its peak – Ohio State’s true win probability likely sits closer to the mid-30% range. That makes +210 a fair, playable number rather than an overpay, especially compared to longer-priced teams that face far tougher routes to the title.

Indiana Hoosiers (+290)

Indiana’s national championship case begins with having the most important advantage in the playoff: the best quarterback in the bracket. Fernando Mendoza has operated Indiana’s offense at an elite level all season, finishing as the national touchdown pass leader while engineering late-game scoring drives against top competition. His command of the offense, decision-making under pressure, and consistency from week to week are the foundation of Indiana’s rise. When the margins tighten in the playoff, quarterback play often decides outcomes, and Indiana enters with a clear edge at the position.

The Hoosiers are also uniquely positioned by the bracket itself. As the No. 1 seed, Indiana earned a bye and avoids the chaos of opening-round elimination games. Their quarterfinal matchup sets up favorably, with neither Alabama nor Oklahoma entering in peak offensive form. While Ohio State faces immediate physical tests against Miami or Texas A&M, Indiana’s path allows them to ramp up gradually, which matters for a team built on efficiency and discipline rather than volatility. The road to the semifinals is simply cleaner for Indiana than for most of the field.

Another reason Indiana is a real title threat is how the program has handled success. Despite unprecedented attention, awards, and national praise, the Hoosiers have stayed locked in throughout the season. The emotional high of winning the Big Ten Championship and securing individual accolades has not bled into complacency. Instead, Indiana has shown the ability to reset quickly, keeping its focus on team goals rather than individual milestones. That mental stability is rare for a program experiencing this level of first-time success, and it matters deeply in a playoff environment.

From a betting perspective, Indiana’s +290 price reflects respect, but it still leaves room for value given their position in the bracket. As the No. 1 seed with a bye, the Hoosiers need just two wins to reach the national championship game, and neither potential quarterfinal opponent profiles as an offensive juggernaut. When you combine an elite quarterback, a clean path, and a team that has already proven it can win high-leverage games, Indiana’s true title probability likely exceeds the implied odds. Compared to shorter-priced Ohio State and longer shots with far tougher routes, Indiana sits in a sweet spot on the board for bettors looking to back the most balanced team in the playoff.

Georgia Bulldogs (+550)

Georgia’s national championship case starts with the fact that this team looks much closer to the dominant versions of the Bulldogs than the groups that exited early in recent postseasons. Georgia closed the regular season 12–1 and 7–1 in SEC play, capped by a convincing win over Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. That performance was a reminder of how high Georgia’s ceiling remains when the offense and defense are both playing with rhythm and confidence. The Bulldogs showed they can control elite opponents physically, which is still the baseline requirement for winning a national title.

The path through the bracket is challenging, but it’s manageable. Georgia opens its playoff run in the Sugar Bowl against the winner of Ole Miss and Tulane, two teams the Bulldogs should be favored against. Georgia already handled Ole Miss once this season by winning a high-scoring game in which they took control late, and while Tulane has been a great story, the talent gap is significant. Advancing past the quarterfinals would likely set up a heavyweight semifinal matchup, but Georgia’s depth and physicality allow them to play multiple styles depending on the opponent.

If Georgia reaches the semifinals, the Bulldogs will be tested by one of the tournament’s elite teams, potentially Ohio State, Texas A&M, or Miami. That stage is where Georgia’s championship pedigree matters most. Kirby Smart’s teams are comfortable in high-pressure environments, and this roster still resembles a championship-caliber group in the trenches and on defense. While the Bulldogs may not be as explosive offensively as some contenders, they are capable of dictating tempo and wearing opponents down over four quarters, which remains a reliable playoff formula.

Georgia’s +550 odds reflect the difficulty of the bracket, but still prices Georgia below teams with less playoff experience. With a first-round bye and a favorable quarterfinal matchup, the Bulldogs need just tw

Best College Football Championship Betting Value

The Oregon Duck’s (+900) national championship case is rooted in how cleanly the bracket breaks for them and how well this team is built for playoff football. As the No. 5 seed, the Ducks avoided landing on the same side of the bracket as both Ohio State and Georgia, meaning they would only have to deal with one of those heavyweights if they reach the title game. That alone explains why Oregon’s odds tightened once the final bracket was released. A first-round matchup against James Madison is not being treated lightly, but it is a game Oregon should control if it plays to its identity.

That identity starts on defense. Oregon has faced just about every offensive style imaginable this season – power run teams, vertical passing attacks, mobile quarterbacks, and tempo-driven offenses – and consistently emerged as one of the most physical and disciplined units in the country. That versatility matters in a playoff where matchups change week to week. Against James Madison’s balanced, run-first approach, Oregon’s defensive staff has emphasized discipline, communication, and gap control rather than underestimating the opponent. The Ducks are prepared to win ugly if necessary, which is often the mark of teams that survive deep into January.

Offensively, Oregon’s ceiling may hinge on health, particularly at wide receiver. The potential returns of Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart loom large, as both dramatically raise the explosiveness of the Ducks’ passing game. If even one of them is available and effective, Oregon becomes far more difficult to defend vertically, especially when paired with a run game that already forces defenses to commit extra bodies to the box.

Oregon at +800 sits in an intriguing middle ground. The number reflects both the Ducks’ upside and the reality that they still need to win multiple high-level games to reach the championship. However, when factoring in their favorable side of the bracket, potential injury reinforcements, and defensive adaptability, Oregon’s true title chances may be slightly undervalued. Compared to shorter-priced favorites with tougher paths, the Ducks offer a compelling blend of price and playoff positioning for bettors willing to embrace some variance.

Best College Football Championship Longshot

Texas Tech’s (+800) national championship case starts where playoff runs are usually built: the trenches. The Red Raiders have quietly assembled one of the most dominant defensive fronts in college football, a unit that has been elite against both the run and the pass. Texas Tech ranks among the national leaders in rushing defense, yards per play allowed, and sack production, with consistent pressure coming from multiple spots along the line. That kind of defensive balance travels in the postseason, especially against teams that rely on rhythm and efficiency rather than pure explosiveness.

What separates Texas Tech from most “sleeper” profiles is that the offense is not just good enough — it’s legitimately dangerous. Over the second half of the season, the Red Raiders have been one of the highest-scoring teams in the country, averaging close to 50 points per game. They are efficient on third down, explosive through the air, and balanced enough on the ground to keep defenses honest. Behren Morton has been steady and reliable at quarterback, limiting mistakes while taking advantage of favorable matchups created by a defense that consistently gives him extra possessions.

The bracket also gives Texas Tech a real opportunity to make noise. With a bye already secured, the Red Raiders will face the winner of Oregon and James Madison, a matchup that is far more manageable than drawing an Ohio State or Indiana immediately. Texas Tech does not need to be perfect to advance. If the defense controls the line of scrimmage and the offense maintains its recent pace, the Red Raiders are capable of winning multiple playoff games without relying on variance or flukes.

Texas Tech at +800 to win the natty stands out as the most appealing sleeper bet on the board. This isn’t a blueblood program, and the odds reflect that. With a bye, an elite defensive front, and an offense peaking at the right time, Texas Tech’s true championship probability likely exceeds its implied odds. Among teams outside the top tier, the Red Raiders offer one of the clearest paths to outperform their price and make a legitimate run at the title.

College Football Championship Predictions

Picking Texas Tech to win the national championship is ultimately a bet on sustainability. The Red Raiders are built on dominance at the line of scrimmage, depth on defense, and an offense that has proven it can score efficiently against quality opponents. In a playoff where styles clash and game scripts change quickly, Texas Tech’s ability to win low-scoring slugfests or shootouts gives them rare flexibility for a team priced outside the top tier.

Texas Tech enters the playoff healthier than most contenders, riding its best stretch of football, and benefits from a bracket that avoids immediate collisions with the biggest brands in the field. With a bye already secured, the Red Raiders need fewer wins than most to reach the title game, and their defensive front gives them a puncher’s chance against anyone once they get there. At this stage of the season, betting on Tech is about trusting the team that looks the most playoff-ready rather than the one with the longest résumé.

By that standard, the Red Raiders belong in the championship conversation. They’re an excellent value bet and they’re underrated by oddsmakers.

Bet: Texas Tech Red Raiders (+800)

Recent College Football Championship Winners

The following is a list of the most recent College Football Championship winners: