College Football National Championship Odds 2026: Best CFP Predictions

With the second season of the 12-team College Football Playoff here, the field is wide open with nine teams having a better than 6% implied probability to win it all, according to the college football national championship odds.

While the Big Ten has accounted for the last two national titles, Texas sits atop the latest title odds thanks to Heisman Trophy odds favorite Arch Manning. But are the Longhorns the best college football national championship odds bet to make at FanDuel?

College football national championship odds 2025-26 📊

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My pick to win CFP National Championship 🏆

🦁 Penn State (+700)

Nothing will stop me from banging the table for Penn State as the college football season gets underway. The Nittany Lions mirror the last two Big Ten national champs - Ohio State and Michigan - with an experienced QB, an NFL running back duo, a veteran offensive line, a stocked up defensive line, elite coordinators, and a head coach who's never won the title.

Sure, James Franklin still needs to prove he can win the big game, but Ryan Day did too ... and he still couldn't beat Michigan last year. However, the questions around Franklin have helped keep the Nittany Lions' national championship odds reasonable, despite them having the second-shortest College Football Playoff odds and the makeup of a team that should have odds closer to Ohio State's preseason odds last year (+325).

Penn State is No. 4 in SP+, as one of just three teams to be top 10 in both offense and defense, and Franklin's squad ranks No. 25 in returning production. Obviously, QB Drew Allar will need to take another leap as a senior, but he has the talent around him to do so with running backs Nicholas Sinlgeton and Kaytron Allen; the additions of wide receivers Trebor Pena, Deonvte Ross, and Kyron Hudson in the transfer portal; and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki back.

The defense should be just as good as last year, too, even with Abdul Carter in the NFL. Franklin poached defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from Ohio State and has NFL talent at every level, led by Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zane Durant, Zakee Wheatley, and A.J. Harris.

Penn State isn't far behind Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship odds and should make a push to claim its first national title since 1986.

Best value bet to win CFP National Championship 💰 

🐯 Clemson (+1300)

The last 11 national titles have either gone to an SEC program, a Big Ten program, or Clemson. Could this be the year Dabo Swinney finally gets the Tigers back to the promised land? It's certainly his most talented team in nearly a decade, which is why Clemson having odds longer than +1000 makes this a worthwhile value play.

Clemson has the makings of a top-three team this season and is the clear favorite to win its conference by the ACC Championship odds. The Tigers lead the country in returning production, rank top 10 in SP+, and have a QB in Cade Klubnik who is among the 2026 NFL Draft odds contenders to be the No. 1 pick in April.

Like all of Swinney's best Clemson teams, this year's squad has a boatload of NFL talent at receiver with one of the best trios in the country in Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., and T.J. Moore. It also features a defense loaded with studs, particularly on the D-line, where Peter Woods and T.J. Parker are viewed as future top-15 NFL draft picks.

With so much NFL talent, an easier schedule in the ACC, a proven championship-winning coach, and a potential Heisman winner at QB, Clemson could be in contention for a bye in the College Football Playoff and is the only team outside of the Big Ten and SEC worth betting on.

Best long shot to win CFP National Championship 🎯

〽️ Michigan (+3300)

Based on recent history, preseason odds, blue-chip ratio, and conference success, I previously identified the nine college football championship odds contenders who can actually win it all this season. Of those nine teams, Michigan is the only one with odds longer than +1500.

Last year, the Wolverines dealt with a championship hangover losing so much to the NFL, including head coach Jim Harbaugh. And while this summer has been mired by an NCAA investigation and massive fine, Michigan is poised to be back in the national spotlight this season.

Sherrone Moore's team ranks in the top 25 in returning production and No. 8 in SP+, with the No. 1 defense. This is a defensive unit that has several All-Big Ten talents, including Derrick Moore, Rayshaun Benny, Jaishawn Barham, Ernest Hausmann, Zeke Berry, and Rod Moore.

With that said, Michigan's hopes and dreams are on the shoulders of an 18-year-old freshman QB, Bryce Underwood. The five-star recruit was recently named the starter after choosing Michigan over LSU in December - thanks to some help from billionaire Larry Ellison. Now, Underwood will need to try his best to put on a Trevor Lawrence-like first season in Ann Arbor as he attempts to lead the Wolverines to a championship as a true freshman.

Remember, Michigan closed out last season by beating Ohio State and Alabama, so this team is headed in the right direction, and Underwood has the physical tools to elevate them to another level.

College football national championship FAQs ❓ 

Who is the favorite to win the college football national championship?

Texas is the favorite to win the college football national championship at FanDuel. The Longhorns' +550 odds imply a 15.38% probability they'll win the national title.

Who won the college football national championship last year?

The Ohio State Buckeyes won last year's CFP National Championship, defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23 in Atlanta.

When will the college football national championship be decided?

The 2026 college football national championship will be decided on Monday, Jan. 19.

Where will the college football national championship take place?

The 2026 college football national championship will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

When does the College Football Playoff start?

The 2025-2026 College Football Playoff begins Friday, Dec. 19, with the first of four first-round games; the other three will be played Saturday, Dec. 20. The quarterfinal games will then be played on Wednesday, Dec. 31, and Thursday, Jan. 1.

The semifinal games will be Thursday, Jan. 8, and Friday, Jan. 9, with the championship game slated for Monday, Jan. 19, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

College football odds 🏆

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