CFP National Championship 2025-26 Odds: Who Will Stop the Buckeyes?

Ohio State Buckeyes – Dynasty in Progress?

• • Head Coach: Ryan Day
  • 2024-25 Record: 14-2 (National Champions)
  • National Titles: 9
  • Key Players: Julian Sayin (QB), Jeremiah Smith (WR), Carnell Tate (WR), Caleb Downs (S), Sonny Styles (LB)

The Ohio State Buckeyes saw their 16-game winning streak end at Lucas Oil Stadium in the Big Ten Championship. They squandered two late drives deep in Indiana territory, including missing a short field goal that would have tied the game. The loss dashed hopes of a perfect season, and now the Buckeyes must regroup quickly.

Fortunately, Ohio State has recent experience bouncing back late in the year. Previously, they lost to the Michigan Wolverines in “The Game” to end the regular season, then won four straight to capture the national title over Notre Dame. They could stage a similar comeback this season after this setback.

Was this a perfect game for Ohio State? Indiana’s defense consistently tightened in the red zone and limited the Buckeyes’ offense. It wasn’t a strong showing for QB Julian Sayin, who struggled behind a lackluster offensive line performance.

Despite the loss, Ohio State’s offense was outstanding throughout the season, averaging 429.5 yards and 34.9 points per game. Sayin passed for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns, and six interceptions with a 78.4% completion rate. Despite coming up short for the Heisman Trophy, Sayin could have an MVP moment in the playoffs.

His top targets, WR Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, are among the nation’s most explosive receivers.

Jeremiah Smith's route running this season was ELITE 😮‍💨

Can't wait to see what @OhioStateFB's @Jermiah_Smith1 has in store for the CFP 👀 pic.twitter.com/DjKzER1PO9

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 13, 2025

Smith recorded 80 catches for 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Tate had 48 catches for 838 yards and nine scores. With RB Bo Jackson in the backfield, the Buckeyes boast a balanced attack.

Given how strong their defense is, they usually don’t require high offensive output. In the Big Ten Championship, just two touchdowns would have sufficed.

The Buckeyes lead the FBS in scoring defense, allowing only 8.15 points per game. They did enough to contain a quality Indiana offense, with major contributions from LB Sonny Styles, LB Arvell Reese, and DE Kenyetta Jackson Jr. Despite the 13-10 loss, I remain optimistic that the No. 2 seed is still the team to beat in the CFP.

Indiana Hoosiers – Heisman to National Champions?

• • Head Coach: Curt Cignetti
  • 2024-25 Record: 11-2 (Loss CFP to Notre Dame)
  • National Titles: 0
  • Key Players: Fernando Mendoza (QB), Omar Cooper Jr. (WR), Elijah Sarratt (WR), Louis Moore (CB), Rolijah Hardy (LB)

The Indiana Hoosiers are enjoying a memorable season that could culminate in College Football Playoff glory. In one of this season’s biggest surprises, Indiana has emerged as a powerhouse, and it isn’t a fluke.

This team is strong and absolutely deserves to have leading odds to win the CFP title. With QB Fernando Mendoza at the helm and a deep group of running backs, the Hoosiers are proving their staying power and rightfully has the No. 1 seed.

Fernando Mendoza's speech after winning the Heisman 👏 pic.twitter.com/l2xvqJzKju

— ESPN (@espn) December 14, 2025

Indiana recently notched a significant 13-10 win over the Buckeyes. Mendoza, who transferred from Cal, cemented his Heisman Trophy resume, passing for 2,990 yards, 33 touchdowns, and just six interceptions on an impressive 71.5% completion rate. He also added 240 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

The 6’5” junior from Miami, FL, was a well-deserving winner of the Heisman in what I believe was a down year for quarterback play overall.

The Hoosiers are explosive on offense, averaging 41.9 points per game (fourth-best nationally) and 472.8 yards per game (eighth in the nation). WR Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarrett combined for 23 touchdown catches, while running backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black have brought consistency to the ground game.

Defensively, Indiana shined in the Big Ten Championship, holding a potent Ohio State offense to just 10 points. This season, their defense averaged only 257.2 yards and 10.85 points allowed per game, just behind Ohio State’s mark.

LB Rolijah Hardy has been a force with 87 tackles, eight sacks, and four passes defended. DL Tyrique Tucker and Hosea Wheeler each added 5.5 sacks, giving Indiana three players with over five sacks.

In the secondary, Louis Moore recorded six interceptions, making this team very tough to score on.

If you didn’t know it by now, Indiana is definitely for real!

Georgia Bulldogs – The Best in the SEC and Nation?

• • Head Coach: Kirby Smart
  • 2024-25 Record: 11-3 (Loss CFP to Notre Dame)
  • National Titles: 4
  • Key Players: Gunner Stockton (QB), Nate Frazier (RB), Zachariah Branch (WR), CJ Allen (LB), Ellis Robinson V (CB)

The one-loss Georgia Bulldogs may not be regarded as dominant of a team as they were in 2021 and 2022, but they’ve been looking the part as of late. Following a 28-7 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship, the Bulldogs enter the playoffs on a nine-game winning streak.

Georgia’s only blemish was a 24-21 loss against the Alabama Crimson Tide in late September. Since then, the Bulldogs have played like one of the top teams in the nation.

They have some quality wins along the way, including over Texas, 35-10, and Ole Miss, 35-10. The Bulldogs’ feared defense has returned to the field, and could be the ultimate difference in the CFP.

The defense has been in top form, with 21 points or fewer allowed in the last six games. They’ve steadily improved throughout the season, reaching peak form with the playoffs up next. Overall, the Bulldogs are 13th in the FBS, allowing an average of 284.5 yards per game.

Despite being ranked 13th in the nation, they’ve played like a top 5 defense since September. Junior LB CJ Allen has been a disruptor all over the field, as he leads the team in tackles with 85, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. LB Chris Cole is getting after quarterbacks as well, leading the Bulldogs with 4.5 sacks in 2025-26.

5-star CB recruit Ellis Robinson V coming on in the second half has played a huge role as well. Robinson is flying around in the secondary and has collected some clutch interceptions. He leads the team in picks with four, including a big one against the Yellow Jackets this past week. The freshman has gotten better with each passing game and is an X-factor in the playoffs.

THE MOMENT GEORGIA WENT BACK-TO-BACK IN SEC CHAMPIONSHIPS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lmlTg9Opm6

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 7, 2025

QB Gunner Stockton has been involved in the Heisman conversation as a slight dark horse behind the top contenders. While Stockton wasn’t invited to New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation, he was one of the first players out.

Stockton didn’t do anything to bolster his resume against Georgia Tech, but his overall body of work has been solid. He has passed for 2,691 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions on 70.7% completions.

Stockton doesn’t have a full cast of weapons like Sayin does in Columbus, though. WR Zachariah Branch is the only receiver to record more than 350 receiving yards this season. The Bulldogs’ running game is more of the focus, as RB Nate Frazier is having a strong campaign, with 861 yards on 5.4 yards per carry.

Stockton’s running ability alongside Frazier and RB Chauncey Bowens gives Georgia a tough ground attack. However, when Stockton needs a receiver to step up, is somebody going to be there?

Branch is going to need some help against a razor-sharp defense like Indiana and Ohio State. With how stout they are, it’s going to be tough on Georgia against elite defenses in the later rounds.