College Football Championship Odds & Favorites 2025: Oregon, Texas Favorites Before CFP
As the College Football Playoff field prepares for their first-round matchups, bettors have been hard at work placing their favorite future plays.
Public money has impacted the College Football Playoff odds since conference title week, even though the favorite hasn't changed, with many teams awaiting their next opponent.
Oregon (+360) remains the college football championship odds favorite. However, Texas (+400) has again jumped Georgia (+500) with the second-shortest odds despite losing twice to the Bulldogs. Ohio State (+525), Penn State (+650), and Notre Dame (+900) are the only other teams with odds under +1000.
These latest developments show sharps do not care which teams get a bye in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff bracket, at least not as much as in other futures markets. Instead, our best college football betting sites favor powerhouse programs from the strongest conferences.
College football championship odds 2025
Live college football championship odds from our best sports betting apps.
- Oregon: The Ducks remain the college football championship odds favorites, with their win over Penn State shortening their odds from +370 to +360
- Texas: The Longhorns have received a big backing from the public since their SEC Championship appearance, which has seen their odds shorten from +450 to +400
- Georgia: The Bulldogs are still among the favorites, but the Longhorns leapfrogged them on the oddsboard in the week following the conference title
- Boise State: The Broncos earned a bye as Heisman Trophy odds contender Ashton Jeanty led them to a Mountain West Championship, but they're still considered long shots at +6500
- Arizona State: The Sun Devils have the second-longest College Football Playoff odds left on the board (+6000) despite receiving a first-round bye as the Big 12 champion
College football championship favorites 2025
Oregon (+350)
Oregon's best price was +425, while Ohio State's longest odds were +275. That never quite made sense, and the problem has more than corrected itself.
The Ducks own one of the two best wins of any team in the country and moved the ball at will against what was considered the top defense in the nation when they played Ohio State. And it was much of the same in the Big Ten Championship against Penn State.
Oregon is heading into the College Football Playoff with a perfect record, and Dillon Gabriel might be the most trustworthy quarterback in the country. In a year where the best teams in the country have been carried by their defenses, the Ducks are the most well-rounded team in college football.
The Ducks' offense is No. 2 in SP+, and Gabriel has been on a heater in the back half of the season, with Jordan James running like a madman against Big Ten programs. The issues with the offensive line from earlier in the year appear to have been fixed, and that was showcased against Abdul Carter and Co. in Indianapolis.
So, if you liked what you saw from this group against the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions, back this price with it paying a $36 profit on a $10 winning bet. While parity has been the story of the season, the Ducks have given no reason to doubt them.
Best odds: +360 via bet365 | Implied probability: 22.22%
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Texas (+400)
Texas has climbed back up the oddsboards following its recent overtime loss to Georgia.
The Longhorns were beaten for a second time by the Bulldogs this year. Kirby Smart's team is the only one to get the better of Steve Sarkisian and Co. this year, which perhaps explains why bettors are so high on Texas heading into the College Football Playoff.
Yes, the Longhorns missed out on an automatic bye when they lost the SEC Championship Game. However, they also ensured they'd avoid Georgia, their bogey team, until the Jan. 20 title game.
Either way, Texas is a true national championship contender. The Longhorns are one of three teams — alongside Oregon and Tennessee — to boast a top-15 total offense and defense. They've got NFL talent littered across both sides of the ball, and they're multiple players deep at running back and every position on the defensive line.
The key to Texas' success is likely its quarterback play. Quinn Ewers hasn't been stellar when his number has been called this season, but he's been good enough to get the job done against teams not named Georgia. Can he, or Arch Manning, elevate the Longhorns' offense to a national title?
As our Rob Paul has noted in the past, it's difficult to back anybody with odds of +400 or shorter, especially a team that failed to win its conference championship. Nevertheless, bet365 has the best odds on the board for those looking to bet on Texas. A $10 winning wager on the Longhorns would return $40.
Best odds: +400 via bet365 | Implied probability: 20%
Georgia (+500)
It's been a bizarre season of inconsistency from Georgia, from its blowout win against Clemson to its loss to Alabama to needing eight overtimes to beat Georgia Tech. But the Bulldogs are once again the champions of what many consider to be the best conference in college football.
While the inconsistency is a concern, Smart's team looked like the Georgia we're used to seeing against top teams like Texas (twice) and Tennessee. Those wins offered a glimpse at the potential of this team come the College Football Playoff.
And getting the bye is even more important now after Carson Beck's injury in the SEC Championship knocked him out of the second half until he heroically returned for the game-winning handoff in overtime.
So while the losses to Ole Miss and Alabama were ugly, this defense has come to play twice against a Texas team many expected to beat the Bulldogs. And clearly, Trevor Etienne is the X-factor for this offense, and he looked more than healthy against Texas.
That win over the Longhorns, when they were ranked No. 1, was probably the second-best win of the season after Oregon's victory over Ohio State too. And that arguably makes Georgia's second win against Texas the third-most impressive victory of the year, and they did it with a backup QB playing more than half the game.
I just can't give up on a team full of potential top-60 picks on defense, a QB who has the talent to be among the best in the SEC, and an offensive line that, when healthy, moves opponents at will.
So if I had to back a team from the SEC to win it all, it would be Georgia. And if the Bulldogs do it for the third time in four years, a $10 bet pays a $50 profit.
Best odds: +500 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 16.67%
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My college football championship team to watch
Penn State (+650)
Similar to Texas, I felt better about Penn State's chances to compete for a national championship following its loss in the conference title. The Nittany Lions put up plenty of points against a stellar Oregon defense, and while they never truly looked like winning, they went toe-to-toe with the Ducks throughout.
James Franklin's time in Happy Valley often gets undervalued because of his losses to Ohio State and, at the time, Michigan. However, he's done an excellent job of winning the games he's supposed to, which is why Penn State's College Football Playoff draw is so important to this selection.
I've noted the Nittany Lions as my team to watch in the upcoming College Football Playoff because of their favorable draw. SMU travels to Beaver Stadium — a place Penn State is 63-15 over the last decade — where it'll face a hostile crowd and winter weather conditions.
As long as the Nittany Lions, who are 8.5-point favorites at our best sports betting apps, can hang on, they'll face the only non-power conference program in the 12-team field, Boise State, in the next round. One can only imagine Penn State will be a significant favorite over the Broncos too.
ESPN BET has the longest odds among our best sportsbooks on the Nittany Lions to win a title. A $10 wager at the aforementioned sportsbook would return $65 if Franklin and Co. can bring the school its first title in almost four decades.
Best odds: +650 via ESPN BET | Implied probability: 13.33%
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AP Top 25 college football poll Week 15
| Ranking | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | 13-0 |
| 2 | Georgia | 11-2 |
| 3 | Notre Dame | 11-1 |
| 4 | Texas | 11-2 |
| 5 | Penn State | 11-2 |
| 6 | Ohio State | 10-2 |
| 7 | Tennessee | 10-2 |
| 8 | Boise State | 12-1 |
| 9 | Indiana | 11-1 |
| 10 | Arizona State | 11-2 |
| 11 | Alabama | 9-3 |
| 12 | SMU | 11-2 |
| 13 | Clemson | 10-3 |
| 14 | South Carolina | 9-3 |
| 15 | Miami | 10-2 |
| 16 | Ole Miss | 9-3 |
| 17 | BYU | 10-2 |
| 18 | Iowa State | 10-3 |
| 19 | Army | 11-1 |
| 20 | Colorado | 9-3 |
| 21 | Illinois | 9-3 |
| 22 | Syracuse | 9-3 |
| 23 | Missouri | 9-3 |
| 24 | UNLV | 10-3 |
| 25 | Memphis | 10-2 |
Conference championship week saw minimal movement across the AP Top 25. Clemson's upset win over SMU in the ACC Championship led to the biggest change in the rankings
Even though the Mustangs mounted a near comeback and lost only on a last-second field goal, they stumbled four spots down to No. 12. However, Clemson moved up only five spots to No. 13, and the Tigers remain behind SMU.
Within the top 10, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State all moved up at least two spots. Meanwhile, Texas and Penn State both fell two spots after losing their respective conference championships.
The biggest riser outside of the top 13 was Army after the Black Knights hammered Tulane to win the AAC Championship as an underdog. Army moved up five spots and is now ranked No. 19 ahead of its annual game against Navy.
How to bet on the college football championship
When betting on college football championship odds, first, choose a reputable sportsbook that offers college football futures. Check out the odds for different teams; for example, if Alabama has +300 odds and Ohio State has +600, a $100 bet on Alabama would win you $300 if they take the championship.
Decide how much you want to wager and place your bet. If you bet $100 on Alabama at +300 and they win, you’ll get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake). Keep an eye on team performances throughout the season to see how your bet is shaping up.
Remember, when betting in future markets, the odds will move. It’s mostly about performance and perception.
If a team starts playing better or worse than expected, its odds will change. Injuries to key players can significantly impact a team's chances and thus their odds. Transfers and new player acquisitions can also affect a team's championship odds. Public betting trends play a role too - if a lot of people are betting on one team, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to balance their risk.
Expert analysis and predictions can also influence how people bet, which in turn affects the odds.
How to read college football championship odds
Reading college football championship odds is straightforward. Odds are usually presented in a format like +300 or -150. Positive odds (i.e., +300) show how much profit you’d make on a $100 bet. For example, a $100 bet at +300 odds would win you $300, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $400.
Negative odds (i.e., -150) indicate how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $150 bet at -150 odds would win you $100, plus your $150 stake, totaling $250.
These odds also reflect the implied probability of a team winning the championship. Lower odds (i.e., +200) suggest a higher probability of winning, while higher odds (i.e., +1000) indicate a lower probability.
Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on factors like team performance, injuries, transfers, and betting patterns.
For example, if Alabama has +300 odds and Ohio State has +600 odds, Alabama is considered more likely to win. If you bet $100 on Alabama and they win, you’d get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake).
College football national title odds over time
Latest odds via DraftKings.
| Team | Opening odds (Jan. 9) | Oct. 11 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | +350 | +500 | +380 | +450 |
| Alabama | +550 | +650 | +2500 | OFF |
| Ohio State | +800 | +280 | +400 | +475 |
| Texas | +900 | +400 | +450 | +360 |
| Michigan | +900 | +30000 | OFF | OFF |
| Oregon | +1000 | +1000 | +320 | +360 |
| Ole Miss | +1100 | +1800 | OFF | OFF |
| LSU | +1600 | +5000 | OFF | OFF |
| Clemson | +2000 | +2200 | +3000 | +5500 |
| Florida State | +2000 | OFF | OFF | OFF |
| Notre Dame | +2500 | +4000 | +700 | +800 |
| Penn State | +2500 | +1800 | +1200 | +600 |
| Oklahoma | +3000 | +18000 | OFF | OFF |
| USC | +3000 | +10000 | OFF | OFF |
| Texas A&M | +4000 | +5500 | OFF | OFF |
| Missouri | +5000 | +10000 | OFF | OFF |
| Tennessee | +5000 | +1800 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Louisville | +8000 | +30000 | OFF | OFF |
| Miami | +8000 | +2200 | OFF | OFF |
| Utah | +8000 | +9000 | OFF | OFF |
| Washington | +8000 | +40000 | OFF | OFF |
| Wisconsin | +8000 | +50000 | OFF | OFF |
| Auburn | +10000 | +100000 | OFF | OFF |
| Kansas State | +10000 | +9000 | OFF | OFF |
| North Carolina | +10000 | +100000 | OFF | OFF |
| Colorado | +20000 | +30000 | OFF | OFF |
College football championship odds history
| Year | Team | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Michigan | +800 |
| 2023 | Georgia | +350 |
| 2022 | Georgia | +600 |
| 2021 | Alabama | +300 |
| 2020 | LSU | +2500 |
| 2019 | Clemson | +400 |
| 2018 | Alabama | +250 |
| 2017 | Clemson | +700 |
| 2016 | Alabama | +700 |
| 2015 | Ohio State | +4000 |
| 2014 | Florida State | +1600 |
Most college football championships by school
| School | Championship wins | Most recent win |
|---|---|---|
| Yale | 18 | 1927 |
| Alabama | 16 | 2020 |
| Princeton | 15 | 1922 |
| Notre Dame | 13 | 1988 |
| Michigan | 10 | 2023 |
| USC | 9 | 2004 |
| Harvard | 8 | 1919 |
| Ohio State | 8 | 2014 |
| Oklahoma | 7 | 2000 |
| Minnesota | 6 | 1960 |
College football championship FAQs
Who is the CFP National Championship favorite?
Oregon is the favorite by the 2025 college football championship odds. The Ducks' shortest odds (+360) imply a 21.74% probability they'll win it all according to our odds calculator.
Who won the CFP National Championship last year?
The Michigan Wolverines won their first title since 1997 by defeating the Washington Huskies in the 2024 national championship.
When will the CFP National Championship be decided?
The 2025 CFP National Championship will be decided on Monday, Jan. 20.
Where will the CFP National Championship take place?
The 2025 college football championship will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.
Who has won the most college football championships?
Yale has won the most college football championships with 18. Alabama ranks second with 16 total victories, and the Crimson Tide's three championships in the college football playoff era also stand as the most.
When does the College Football Playoff start?
The 2025 College Football Playoff starts with the first round on Dec. 20 and 21, with games being played at the campus of the higher seed. The quarterfinals will then be played across the Fiesta, Peach, Rose, and Sugar Bowl on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
The semifinals take place Jan. 9 and 10 at the Orange and Cotton Bowl before the CFP National Championship game on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.
How many teams make the College Football Playoff?
Previously only four teams were selected for the College Football Playoff, but this season the playoff will expand to 12 teams. The top five ranked conference champions will be automatic qualifiers for the playoff along with seven at-large teams, decided by the College Football Playoff selection committee.
The top four conference champions will receive a first-round bye in the playoff.
College football odds pages
| College Football Championship Odds | SEC Odds | Big 12 Odds | Bowl Season Odds & Info |
| Heisman Trophy Odds | Big Ten Odds | Pac-12 Odds | Bowl game opt-out tracker |
| College Football Playoff Odds | Mountain West Odds | ACC Odds |
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