College Football National Championship Predictions & Odds: Ohio State Consolidated as Clear Favorite

• The Ohio State Buckeyes further shortened their odds to the clear betting favorite.

• The Indiana Hoosiers and Texas A&M Aggies saw their odds tighten to become the next two most likely contenders.

• The ACC took a catastrophic hit as two top contenders, Virginia and Louisville, both lost to unranked opponents, causing their odds to lengthen significantly.

NCAAF Championship Odds

All odds below are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Click on the odds in the table below to head to FanDuel Sportsbook and place your bets: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

Rest of the teams listed at +3300 odds or higher.

NCAAF Championship Winner - My Pick

Ohio State Buckeyes (+200) at FanDuel Sportsbook

The Ohio State Buckeyes are the clear, undisputed betting favorite to win the College Football National Championship. This highly favorable position is based on their current 9-0 record and their status as the consensus No. 1 team in the initial CFP rankings, driven by a dominant defense that has allowed a minuscule 6.9 points per game.

Backed by an offense that is both balanced and explosive—featuring an accurate quarterback in Julian Sayin and the nation's top receiving corps—the Buckeyes have the roster depth and highly-rated defensive scheme (under Matt Patricia) to navigate the final, manageable stretch of their schedule and ultimately win their second national title in three seasons.

Win a $5 Wager at FanDuel, Get $150 in Bonus Bets

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 $150 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 WSN20X and claim the welcome offer: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Next 20 Bets.

• 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*.

*21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, MS, NY, NV, ON, or PR.

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.