College football is fast approaching and SBR's Rob Paul dives into the CFP National Championship odds to narrow it down to 9 potential champions.
Why only 9 teams?
- Preseason odds cutoff
- The blue-chip ratio threshold
- Big Ten, SEC, or Clemson
Ohio State (+500 bet365)
"The reigning national champions have plenty to replace, including both coordinators, but they also return arguably the two best players in college football in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs. Between Ryan Day's recruiting and use of the transfer portal, the Buckeyes look fierce again as former five-star Julian Sayin takes over at QB. Ohio State opens the season against Texas, so it won't be long before we know how real its chances are of repeating."
Texas (+550 DraftKings)
"No team has more buzz right now than Texas because of the last name of their new starting QB. While Arch Manning was the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class, he saw extended playing time last season against only three teams, all ranked 98th or worse on defense by SP+. Still, he leads the 2026 NFL Draft odds for a reason and is surrounded by a deep roster led by budding stars like Anthony Hill Jr., Colin Simmons, Ryan Wingo, and Quintrevion Wisner. Week 1 in Columbus will be fun."
Georgia (+800 BetRivers)
"It was a "down year" for Kirby Smart's program last season when it won just 11 games and beat Texas in the SEC Championship Game. The Bulldogs winning the conference and pushing for a title this year will come down to Gunner Stockton, who officially takes over as QB1 after Carson Beck left for Miami. Luckily, Smart never stops crootin' and even added some help via the transfer portal. Players like Nate Frazier, CJ Allen, Christen Miller, and Daylen Everette give Georgia a strong foundation."
Penn State (+800 FanDuel)
"Will this finally be the year James Franklin puts a smile on everyone in Happy Valley's face? Penn State certainly has the talent to compete for the Big Ten title and potentially win it all. The Nittany Lions return QB Drew Allar, running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, offensive linemen Drew Shelton and Olaivavega Ioane, defensive linemen Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant, and cornerback A.J. Harris. This roster is one of the best on paper and has addressed its wide receiver issue via the portal."
Oregon (+1200 BetRivers)
"The Blue-Chip Ratio doesn't take into account transfers, but Dan Lanning has bolstered Oregon's blue-chip-filled roster by adding some of the top talents in the portal. This season, the team added running back Makhi Hughes, safety Dillon Theieneman, and offensive lineman Isaiah World, just to name a few of the star-studded additions. They join a roster relying on QB Dante Moore, linebacker Bryce Boettcher, pass rusher Matayo Uiagalelei, and tight end Kenyon Sadiq to carry the load. The emergence of five-star freshman Dakorien Moore could make or break the Ducks with Evan Stewart's injury."
Alabama (+1300 FanDuel)
"Talent-wise, thanks to a roster built by Nick Saban, this is still clearly a national title contender. But Year 1 of Kalen DeBoer left a lot to be desired. So it's hard to have too much faith in the Crimson Tide's ability to win a title this season, though Ryan Grubb reuniting with DeBoer should help. Ty Simpson takes over as the QB. This receiver room, led by Ryan Williams, and the O-line, led by Kadyn Proctor, could be two of the best units in the SEC. Plus, LT Overton highlights what should be a strong defense."
Clemson (+1400 FanDuel)
"The only non-Big Ten/SEC team that's eligible for this list, this looks like Dabo Swinney's best Clemson team in years. The Tigers lead the country in returning production and have a Heisman-caliber QB in Cade Klubnik, who had the most big-time throws last season among returning P4 passers. And, like all of Swinney's best teams at Clemson, the Tigers are loaded at wide receiver (Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore) and on the defensive line (T.J. Parker, Peter Woods). Between its reasonable odds and talent on both sides, Clemson is my favorite bet to win it all."
LSU (+1800 DraftKings)
"Much like Clemson and Penn State, LSU brings many of its key cogs back, including Garrett Nussmeier, Aaron Anderson, Caden Durham, White Weeks, and Harold Perkins Jr. Brian Kelly also went big game hunting in the transfer portal and put together the No. 1 class in the country. Additions like Nic Anderson and Barion Brown on offense and Patrick Payton and Mansoor Delane on defense could push this team to a College Football Playoff berth. Betting on the Tigers comes down to how much you trust Kelly."
Michigan (+4000 BetRivers)
"The championship hangover has passed as the second season under Sherrone Moore in Ann Arbor is set to get underway. Thanks to the deep pockets of Larry Ellison, Michigan brings in the No. 1 recruit in the country in QB Bryce Underwood, who will likely start sooner than later as a freshman. The Wolverines also added running back Justice Haynes, defensive lineman Tre Williams, and safety TJ Metcalf via the portal. Michigan should be better this season, but not a title contender."
Who is your pick to win the National Championship this year? Share your predictions below!
Why only 9 teams?
- Preseason odds cutoff
- The blue-chip ratio threshold
- Big Ten, SEC, or Clemson
Ohio State (+500 bet365)
"The reigning national champions have plenty to replace, including both coordinators, but they also return arguably the two best players in college football in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs. Between Ryan Day's recruiting and use of the transfer portal, the Buckeyes look fierce again as former five-star Julian Sayin takes over at QB. Ohio State opens the season against Texas, so it won't be long before we know how real its chances are of repeating."
Texas (+550 DraftKings)
"No team has more buzz right now than Texas because of the last name of their new starting QB. While Arch Manning was the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class, he saw extended playing time last season against only three teams, all ranked 98th or worse on defense by SP+. Still, he leads the 2026 NFL Draft odds for a reason and is surrounded by a deep roster led by budding stars like Anthony Hill Jr., Colin Simmons, Ryan Wingo, and Quintrevion Wisner. Week 1 in Columbus will be fun."
Georgia (+800 BetRivers)
"It was a "down year" for Kirby Smart's program last season when it won just 11 games and beat Texas in the SEC Championship Game. The Bulldogs winning the conference and pushing for a title this year will come down to Gunner Stockton, who officially takes over as QB1 after Carson Beck left for Miami. Luckily, Smart never stops crootin' and even added some help via the transfer portal. Players like Nate Frazier, CJ Allen, Christen Miller, and Daylen Everette give Georgia a strong foundation."
Penn State (+800 FanDuel)
"Will this finally be the year James Franklin puts a smile on everyone in Happy Valley's face? Penn State certainly has the talent to compete for the Big Ten title and potentially win it all. The Nittany Lions return QB Drew Allar, running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, offensive linemen Drew Shelton and Olaivavega Ioane, defensive linemen Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant, and cornerback A.J. Harris. This roster is one of the best on paper and has addressed its wide receiver issue via the portal."
Oregon (+1200 BetRivers)
"The Blue-Chip Ratio doesn't take into account transfers, but Dan Lanning has bolstered Oregon's blue-chip-filled roster by adding some of the top talents in the portal. This season, the team added running back Makhi Hughes, safety Dillon Theieneman, and offensive lineman Isaiah World, just to name a few of the star-studded additions. They join a roster relying on QB Dante Moore, linebacker Bryce Boettcher, pass rusher Matayo Uiagalelei, and tight end Kenyon Sadiq to carry the load. The emergence of five-star freshman Dakorien Moore could make or break the Ducks with Evan Stewart's injury."
Alabama (+1300 FanDuel)
"Talent-wise, thanks to a roster built by Nick Saban, this is still clearly a national title contender. But Year 1 of Kalen DeBoer left a lot to be desired. So it's hard to have too much faith in the Crimson Tide's ability to win a title this season, though Ryan Grubb reuniting with DeBoer should help. Ty Simpson takes over as the QB. This receiver room, led by Ryan Williams, and the O-line, led by Kadyn Proctor, could be two of the best units in the SEC. Plus, LT Overton highlights what should be a strong defense."
Clemson (+1400 FanDuel)
"The only non-Big Ten/SEC team that's eligible for this list, this looks like Dabo Swinney's best Clemson team in years. The Tigers lead the country in returning production and have a Heisman-caliber QB in Cade Klubnik, who had the most big-time throws last season among returning P4 passers. And, like all of Swinney's best teams at Clemson, the Tigers are loaded at wide receiver (Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., T.J. Moore) and on the defensive line (T.J. Parker, Peter Woods). Between its reasonable odds and talent on both sides, Clemson is my favorite bet to win it all."
LSU (+1800 DraftKings)
"Much like Clemson and Penn State, LSU brings many of its key cogs back, including Garrett Nussmeier, Aaron Anderson, Caden Durham, White Weeks, and Harold Perkins Jr. Brian Kelly also went big game hunting in the transfer portal and put together the No. 1 class in the country. Additions like Nic Anderson and Barion Brown on offense and Patrick Payton and Mansoor Delane on defense could push this team to a College Football Playoff berth. Betting on the Tigers comes down to how much you trust Kelly."
Michigan (+4000 BetRivers)
"The championship hangover has passed as the second season under Sherrone Moore in Ann Arbor is set to get underway. Thanks to the deep pockets of Larry Ellison, Michigan brings in the No. 1 recruit in the country in QB Bryce Underwood, who will likely start sooner than later as a freshman. The Wolverines also added running back Justice Haynes, defensive lineman Tre Williams, and safety TJ Metcalf via the portal. Michigan should be better this season, but not a title contender."
Who is your pick to win the National Championship this year? Share your predictions below!