2025-26 CFP Futures Odds: Texas, Ohio State Co-Favorites
College Football Playoff championship odds for 2025-26 have been on the board for several months. Bettors could get down even before Ohio State dumped Notre Dame in the 2024-25 title game.
Ohio State is the co-favorite in 2025-26 College Football Playoff futures odds, joined by Texas. But a lot can happen between now and Jan. 19, when the title game is played in Miami.
Below are current CFP odds from an array of operators. And to get the most out of your college football bets, use our Fanatics Sportsbook promo.
National Championship Winner Odds
2025-26 College Football Playoff Odds
Twosome at the Top
UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY, JUNE 12: Back in January, Ohio State opened as the +450 favorite in BetMGM's College Football Playoff futures odds. Texas was the +550 second choice.
Both teams were in the 2024-25 CFP, with Texas actually losing to Ohio State 28-14 in the semifinals. The Buckeyes then went on to beat Notre Dame 34-23 in the championship game.
Fast-forward a few months, and BetMGM has Ohio State and Texas as +500 co-favorites in CFP championship odds. But one team is currying more favor with bettors so far.
"Texas has taken the most bets and most handle of any team in the country," BetMGM trading manager Seamus Magee said. "The Longhorns still look good for us in the futures book, but there's definitely plenty of excitement around them.
"Of course I think they can make a run for the whole thing. Arch Manning looked really good whenever he played last year. He can put up some gaudy numbers for Coach Sarkisian and the Longhorns."
As for the co-fave:
"Ohio State is the second-most-popular team in terms of tickets, behind Texas, and is fourth in handle. There's definitely less interest than there was at this point last year, but the Buckeyes are still fairly popular," Magee said.
Dollars on Dabo
UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY, JUNE 12: The first few years of the CFP, Clemson was a mainstay. From 2015-16 through 2020-21, the Tigers made six straight CFP appearances and won two national titles.
But Dabo Swinney's squad failed to get in during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. In 2024-25, with the expansion to 12 teams, Clemson got in, but fell to Texas 38-24 in the first round.
This year, early bettors seem to think there's something to the Tigers' chances in College Football Playoff odds. Clemson opened +2000, stood at +1600 at the end of May and is now the +1300 sixth choice.
"Clemson has gotten a lot of love from bettors this offseason. The Tigers are one of our top liabilities at the moment," Magee said. "They bring back Cade Klubnik and essentially the entire team from last year.
"It's a far cry from last year, when it didn't feel like there was much trust in the program, after not utilizing the transfer portal like other top-end teams."
Flying Under The Radar
UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY, JUNE 12: Last season, USC was expected to take a step or two back, with the Caleb Williams era ending. But the Trojans went far further backwards than that, going 7-6. And that seventh win, to get over .500, didn't come until a 35-31 Las Vegas Bowl victory over Texas A&M.
This season, bookmakers don't yet think much of Southern Cal, which opened +8000 in BetMGM's College Football Playoff futures odds and is now out to +10000 (100/1). However, the Trojans are getting some interest at the big number.
"I can tell you there's been a noticeable amount of money being bet on USC to crash the party this year," Magee said. "The Trojans are our biggest liability at the moment. That's definitely a team with a high ceiling, if things go well for Lincoln Riley."
Magee jumped to the SEC and ACC to point out two more under-the-radar outfits.
"I'd keep an eye on Auburn. I think they've had a pretty decent portal, and I think Hugh Freeze might be able to surprise some people this year," Magee said, before jumping to the ACC. "If you're looking for a conference outright long shot, I don't hate a flier on N.C. State.
"I think the schedule falls very kindly upon the Wolfpack in the ACC. No Clemson, No SMU, No Louisville. Their hardest conference game of the year will be at Miami. But they at least come off a bye when that game comes around. There's a real world where this team could be 6-0 going into their nonconference game at Notre Dame."
Auburn opened +6000 and is out just a bit to +6600, while North Carolina State opened +15000 and is now a +30000 long shot. As Magee suggested, perhaps the better play is on the Wolfpack +5000 to win the ACC.
Colorado Buffa-low
UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY, JUNE 12: The past two seasons, BetMGM and most other sportsbooks were drowning in Colorado national championship bets. The public betting masses couldn't get enough of the Buffs in College Football Playoff odds.
With Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter now on to the NFL, there's not nearly as much buzz on the Buffaloes. Colorado opened +15000 and remains +15000 (150/1).
"It sure feels dead compared to years past. But let's see what happens when the year starts," Magee said. "Most bettors don't need an excuse to flock to Coach Prime if they start hot."
Indeed, if anyone can create buzz, it's Colorado coach Deion Sanders.
Opening Odds for College Football Playoff
Listed below are the early opening odds to win the 2025-26 College Football Playoff title game.
- Ohio State +450
- Texas +550
- Georgia +600
- Oregon +700
- Penn State +850
- Notre Dame +1200
- Alabama +1200
- Clemson +2000
- LSU +2000
- Tennessee +2000
- Texas A&M +3000
Odds Provided by BetMGM and subject to change.
Come see our BetMGM bonus code today to pick what team you think will win the College Football Playoff!
College Football Playoff Format
Last season, the College Football Playoff went from four teams to 12 teams, and it will again be 12 teams for the 2025-26 season.
The field of 12 is comprised of six conference champions, plus the six highest-ranked other teams. The rankings will again be determined by the College Football Playoff committee.
College Football Playoff Schedule
Here is the bowl schedule for the 2025-26 College Football Playoff.
First round (Dec. 19-20) — On campus
- Friday, Dec. 19: One game
- Saturday, Dec. 20: Three games
Quarterfinals (Dec. 31-Jan. 1)
- Wednesday, Dec. 31: Cotton Bowl
- Thursday, Jan. 1: Orange Bowl (early afternoon)
- Thursday, Jan. 1: Rose Bowl (late afternoon)
- Thursday, Jan. 1: Sugar Bowl (primetime)
Semifinals (Jan. 8-9)
- Thursday, Jan. 8: Fiesta Bowl
- Friday, Jan. 9: Peach Bowl
CFP National Championship
- Monday, Jan. 19, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
How To Read College Football Playoff Futures Odds
Over 133 schools are looking for a chance to earn a trip to the 2025-26 College Football Playoff.
Let's look at an example. Ohio State is the +500 co-favorite to win the national championship. That means a $100 wager would yield a $500 profit if the Buckeyes win the title.
How To Bet On College Football Futures
American football is the most popular game among bettors in the United States, and a large portion of that interest is from college football. Analyzing futures odds and predicting which school will become the champion every season continues to receive attention at the betting counter.
Check out our online sportsbook directory to find the best and most secure places to make college football bets, as well as exclusive sportsbook offers. You can also use our Caesars sportsbook promo code to unlock potential bonus bets.
College Football Futures can be bet on throughout the year. As with any betting market, there are wagering peaks and valleys. After each season ends in January, oddsmakers send out their opening futures for the following season.
The main market is for the NCAA Division 1 Football Bowl Subdivision. There are more than 125 teams divided into 10 conferences, and a group of independent schools, including Notre Dame.
Some sportsbooks set college football futures on every school eligible to win the championship. But other operators keep the list at 50 teams or even fewer, since some lower-tier schools don’t have a competitive chance. The Future Odds market doesn’t receive as much attention in the spring, but interest tends to pick up in the summer and in the first couple weeks of the regular season.
Interest tends to heighten again as conference championship weekend draws near. And betting on College Football Playoff futures odds really picks up after the 12-team field is set.
Elevate your betting strategy for the College Football Championship using the benefits of the bet365 bonus code.
NCAAF Popular Futures Odds
- Heisman Trophy
- College Football Playoff
- Win Totals
- SEC Championship
- Big Ten Championship
- Big 12 Championship
- American Championship
- MWC Championship
- Sun Belt Championship
- CUSA Championship
- MAC Championship
Most Popular Betting Odds
