College Football National Championship Predictions & Odds: Ohio State Remained the Favorite

• (1) Indiana Hoosiers (13-0), the season's massive breakout story, now face a daunting Quarterfinal test against surging Alabama.

• (2) Ohio State awaits Miami in the Cotton Bowl, with oddsmakers heavily favoring the Buckeyes but wary of the momentum Miami built in their defensive masterclass against the Aggies.

• (5) Oregon and (6) Ole Miss solidified their status as top-tier contenders with blowout victories in the First Round.

NCAAF Championship Odds

All odds below are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Bet on NCAAF National Championship at FanDuel with the welcome offer for new users: Bet $5, Get $250 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins.

NCAAF Championship Winner - My Pick

Ohio State Buckeyes (+190) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Ohio State is the betting favorite (+190) to repeat as National Champions because they possess the most complete roster in the country, featuring a defense that allows fewer than 8 points per game. Despite a narrow loss in the Big Ten title game, the Buckeyes enter the quarterfinals as the No. 2 seed with a high-powered offense and elite individual talent like Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs. Their combination of returning championship experience and a favorable path through the expanded 12-team playoff makes them the most reliable bet for a deep title run.

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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 $250 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*.

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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.