College Football National Championship Predictions & Odds: Indiana Ready to Repeat

The College Football National Championship is the final game of a single-elimination tournament used to determine the premier team in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). To win the title, a team must navigate an expanded 12-team bracket - a format introduced in the 2024–25 season - which includes the five highest-ranked conference champions and seven at-large teams selected by a 13-member committee.

Let's dive into the latest NCAAF National Championship Winner odds.

NCAAF National Championship Winner Odds

All odds below are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Bet on the NCAAF National Championship at FanDuel with the welcome offer for new users: Bet $5, Get $100 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

NCAAF Championship Winner - My Pick

Indiana Hoosiers (+700) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Indiana Hoosiers possess the ultimate recipe for a dynasty: the return of a Heisman-winning quarterback to a roster fresh off a perfect 16–0 campaign. With Fernando Mendoza expected to return for his senior season after earning CFP Offensive MVP honors in the 27–21 title game victory over Miami, the Hoosiers retain the most important piece of their offense.

Furthermore, Head Coach Curt Cignetti, now the highest-paid coach in college football following his post-championship extension, has proven his system is elite, having gone 27–2 in his first two seasons. The "championship bump" in recruiting, combined with the confidence of a defense that suffocated Alabama and Miami in the playoff, suggests Indiana has evolved from a one-year wonder into the Big Ten's premier juggernaut.

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How to Bet on the NCAAF Championship

To wager on the NCAAF championship, head to your chosen sportsbook's "Futures" section. Futures markets allow you to wager on events that'll resolve sometimes months later, depending on when the wager is made, such as the national championship. These markets are available before and during the season, with odds shifting based on how the team plays, injuries, how other teams are playing, and more. 

In addition to betting directly on the national title winner, you can indirectly support your prediction by wagering on related markets, such as conference championship futures, win totals, or individual game bets (e.g., moneyline, point spread, and totals).

For example, suppose you believe Penn State will win the national championship. You could wager on their games, their projected win total, and the "Futures" market for them to win the Big Ten conference. 

How to Read NCAAF Championship Odds

When reading NCAAF championship odds, you’ll come across “+” and “-” odds. 

The “+” typically indicates an underdog, whereas the “-” is the favorite. 

When it comes to betting, here’s how to view these lines: 

• With “+” odds, you’ll win the amount associated with it when you wager $100. For example, if a team is +600, you’ll win $600 if you place a $100 bet and they win. 

• With “-” odds, you must wager the amount associated to win $100. For example, if a team is -600, you must bet $600 to win $100. 

Where to Bet on NCAAF Championship Winner

• FanDuel Sportsbook: When it comes to betting on the college national champion, FanDuel is always a go-to spot for me. It offers plenty of promotions, including a new player-friendly welcome bonus, and always has competitive odds. New users can currently claim the following offer: Bet $5, Get $100 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

• Caesars Sportsbook: We mentioned that you can supplement your national championship “Futures” bet with wagers on individual games, and Caesars Sportsbook routinely offers odds boosts to enhance your potential winnings. Use our promo code WSN250BM and claim the welcome offer: Bet Match up to $250 - Win or Lose.

• BetMGM Sportsbook: BetMGM routinely offers free-to-play games that can add bonus bets to your virtual wallet. Additionally, there’s 24/7 customer support available should you have any questions about NCAAF championship betting. Register with BetMGM today with our promo code WSNSPORTS and claim your welcome bonus: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*.

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NCAAF Championship Winner History

Since 2014, the College Football Playoff has been how national champions are decided. When it was first implemented, it featured four teams.

Then, in 2024, it switched to 12 teams. The change proved worthwhile as the champion, the Ohio State Buckeyes, were the No. 8 seed and beat the No. 9, No. 1, No. 5, and No. 7 seeds, respectively, to win it all. 

Since the College Football Playoff was introduced, the Alabama Crimson Tide’s three titles have led the way. 

Below is a list of the national champions since the College Football Playoff came to be.