CFP National Championship 2025-26 Odds: Hook‘em Horns?

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)

After sitting on the hot seat for a couple of years, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day finally finished the job and led the Buckeyes to a national title. Entering the eight-team College Football Playoff as a No. 8 seed, Ohio State defeated Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame in the championship.

With starting QB Will Howard testing the waters in the NFL, the Buckeyes had a quarterback battle to determine QB1 for the 2025-26 season. Unsurprisingly, QB Julian Sayin took over the starting seat and has looked fine thus far. If Ohio State wants to win, Sayin must play better than fine, though.

Sayin has passed for 1,313 yards, 13 touchdowns, and three interceptions on 78.9% completions. Beating up on Grambling State and Ohio isn’t going to move the meter much. After a tight 14-7 win over Texas in the season opener, the Buckeyes handled Grambling State, 70-0, and Ohio, 37-9.

However, Sayin was at his best in the Big Ten opener in a 42-3 thrashing against the Golden Hopers. Sayin lit up the secondary for 326 yards passing and three touchdowns.

It was a statement performance for Sayin, but Minnesota is far off the best teams he’ll face in conference play. Nevertheless, the quarterback’s effort was a strong confidence builder.

Sayin with a DOT to Carnell Tate 🙌 @OhioStateFB

📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/sSzAO5J1KL

— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) October 5, 2025

It was a fantastic, pinpoint-accurate performance from Sayin after throwing two interceptions against Ohio. That’s the start the first-year starter needed to open Big Ten play this season. As he matures and gains experience, the Buckeyes’ offense will be in good form.

In any event, Sayin has a host of weapons to target. He has no excuses with WR Jeremiah Smith and Cardale Tate running free in the secondary. Throw in their direction, and Sayin shouldn’t have any issues.

Overall, the offense is 28th in the FBS, with 451.4 yards per game. The defense has been the hallmark of Ohio State’s game plans. With 37.4 points per game, Ohio State is tied for 22nd through five matchups.

The Buckeyes lead the nation, conceding just five points per game this season. They’ve also allowed only 215.8 yards per game, for the third-best mark in college football. With depth at all levels, including CB Denzel Igbinosun in the secondary, the Buckeyes will continue to dominate defensively.

Ohio State makes sense as the betting favorite, but there are a few teams not that far behind!

Oregon Ducks – Is the Big Line Movement Justified?

• • Head Coach: Dan Lanning
  • 2024-25 Record: 13-1 (Loss CFP to Ohio State)
  • National Titles: 0
  • Key Players: Dante Moore (QB), Jayden Limar (RB), Makhi Hughes (RB), Dillon Thieneman (S), Matayo Uiagalelei (DE)

The Ducks’ college football championship odds are on the move after advancing to 4-0 against the Oregon State Beavers. Their price has continued to shorten with each passing week, with Oregon at +1200 in September! Now, despite having a bye week, Oregon improved further from +650 to +475. Penn State and Texas’ losses played a role in the boost.

Oregon made the Beavers look silly in a 41-7 win at Autzen Stadium. This was a week after Oregon downed Big Ten foe Northwestern by a score of 34-14.

How did they follow up the blowout over Oregon State? By ousting the Penn State Nittany Lions in overtime, 30-24. That win carried over to the next week for Penn State as they fell to the UCLA Bruins!

Ducks’ QB Dante Moore is off to a blazing hot start with 1,210 yards passing, 14 touchdowns, and one interception. Moore has connected on 74.6% passes and has also rushed for 122 yards on 5.1 yards per carry.

I love how effortlessly Oregon's Dante Moore spins it

Motion reminds me a little of Jayden Daniels. Very much in the QB1 mix early on pic.twitter.com/a5zJM3ZpWi

— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) September 29, 2025

He is an early Heisman Trophy contender, and if he stays on this course against tougher opponents, the sophomore is going to be in the mix. With Oregon’s CFP betting odds shifting from +1200 to +475, it’s clear that bettors are warming up to the Ducks. And, given their early-season success and DNA of this team, it’s hard to argue against them for your CFP National Championship picks.

The offense can run the ball effectively with a solid 1-2 punch of RB Mahki Hughes and Jayden Limar as well. Oregon’s offense is multi-dimensional and can win games on the ground or with Moore taking over the game through the air. It puts a lot of pressure on defensive preparations — you can ask Penn State who came up short.

The Ducks’ defense had something to prove against the Nittany Lions and came out of it with an A+ grade. Penn State QB Drew Allar was held to 137 yards passing, while the two-headed backfield was contained.

Safety Dillon Thieneman gives the Ducks an elite man in the secondary, while DE Matayo Uiagalelei and LB Bryce Boettcher give Oregon talent in the box.

Oregon doesn’t have a national title trophy on the campus in Eugene, though. They’ve had some great teams in the past and can’t seem to finish. Nevertheless, the line movement is justified, and the Ducks are going to be a tough out in the playoffs.

Miami Hurricanes – Will the ‘Canes CFP Odds Continue to Surge?

• • Head Coach: Mario Cristobal
  • 2024-25 Record: 10-3 (Missed CFP)
  • National Titles: 5
  • Key Players: Carson Beck (QB), Mark Fletcher Jr. (RB), Malachi Toney (WR), Reuben Bain Jr. (DE), Ahkeem Mesidor (DE), Mohamad Toure (LB)

After a solid season that ended with a loss in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, the Miami Hurricanes are ready to trade Pop-Tarts in for the College Football Playoff. As one of the hottest teams in college football, Miami’s 2025-26 CFP Championship odds have surged.

I played the Hurricanes as a longshot bet earlier this season, and their odds have made it up into being a top contender! Following a strong performance to edge out a growing Florida State squad, 28-22, you can’t help but acknowledge the Hurricanes’ chances.

Despite saying goodbye to electric QB Cam Ward, Mario Cristobal found a suitable replacement for the Tennessee Titan. Former Georgia QB Carson Beck made the transfer to Miami after staying one more season in college. It’s been the perfect match for Cristobal and Beck.

CARSON BECK 44-YARD FLEA FLICKER TO 17-YEAR-OLD MALACHI TONEY 🪄 pic.twitter.com/u4MbEGzmOA

— ESPN (@espn) October 5, 2025

The 22-year-old Beck has passed for 1,213 yards, 11 touchdowns, and three interceptions on 73.4% completions. He’s been calm and collected for the Hurricanes, leading to an average of 35 points per game, for 39th in the country.

Miami has a well-balanced offense that can do damage through the air with Beck to 17-year-old freshman WR Malachi Toney, or run the ball with RB Mark Fletcher Jr. They are backed by one of the best defenses in college, spearheaded by a strong pass rush from DE Reuben Bain Jr. and DE Ahkeem Mesidor.

With LB Mohamad Toure lining up behind a potent defensive line, the Hurricanes are well-equipped in the box. The Hurricanes are 16th against the run, with 87.4 rushing yards allowed per game. They are more vulnerable in the secondary, but still solid, allowing 189 yards per game, for 44th in the FBS.

The Hurricanes are a powerhouse in the trenches, and the offense is bursting with confidence. There is a lot to like here, but does Cristobal have the coaching chops to make the right decisions with the season on the line?

I’m not confident enough in him to back the Hurricanes at the current odds.