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)

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 been one of the best quarterbacks in college football this season. The important thing for the Buckeyes is that Sayin has continued to show progress throughout the season.

Sayin has passed for 3,065 yards, 30 touchdowns, and five interceptions on a wildly impressive 78.9% completions. There was doubt entering the season on whether Sayin is going to be that guy. However, the sophomore has answered the call, and keeps getting stronger and gaining more confidence.

In his latest performance, Sayin finished the regular season on a high note with a win over bitter rival the Michigan Wolverines. Sayin threw for 233 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception on 73.1% passing. He had a rocky start but responded to dice up the Wolverines’ defense and a 27-9 win.

Julian Sayin gets the win in his first ever time playing in "The Game" 🔥

The @OhioStateFB QB spoke with Tom Rinaldi about what it means 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/ko6LUDgHHT

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 29, 2025

The sophomore from Carlsbad, CA, has entered the Heisman Trophy conversation, and appears to be in a tight race with Indiana’s QB Fernando Mendoza. If I’m voting right now, Sayin would be my pick, but it’s likely to go down to the wire. Sayin is joined by a fantastic supporting cast around him, which includes some of the most talented weapons in college.

WR Jeremiah Smith and WR Carnell Tate have been unstoppable weapons in the passing game. Smith has hauled in 72 receptions for 942 yards and 11 touchdowns. On the other side, Tate is dominating, too, with 793 yards and eight touchdowns on 44 receptions.

Julian Sayin to Carnell Tate. The best downfield passing duo in the country🌰pic.twitter.com/00OVxZhXEz

— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 29, 2025

Either receiver has the potential to explode, and oftentimes it’s both of them having monster games. It puts immense pressure on defenses and is almost impossible to stop at times. With RB Bo Jackson rushing for 952 yards on 6.3 yards per carry, defensive coordinators have to guess.

Tate and Smith missed the 42-9 win over Rutgers and both were dealing with injuries recently but didn’t have any setbacks in “The Game” against Michigan to advance to 12-0 and 9-0 in the Big Ten.

This isn’t even what makes the Buckeyes a special team. The defense is historically stout up front and in the secondary.

Overall, Ohio State leads the NCAA with an insane points against mark of 7.64 per game. The Buckeyes are the only team in the nation allowing 10 or fewer points per game. They’re seventh in the nation against the run and third against the pass, yielding only 125.8 yards passing per contest!

Led by S Caleb Downs and CB Jermaine Matthews Jr., Ohio State has just reloaded from last year. They’re also dominating in the box with LB Arvell Reese and DE Caden Curry.

The defensive depth is incredible, and even with an injury or two, expect the Buckeyes to keep on producing at an elite level. The champions are deservedly favored to repeat this year.

Indiana Hoosiers – Is the Hoosiers’ Season a Fluke?

• • 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 in the midst of a memorable campaign that could end in glory in the College Football Playoff. In the biggest shocker this season, Indiana looks like a powerhouse and, no, it doesn’t appear to be a fluke.

This is a strong team, and they certainly deserve to have the second-best odds to win the CFP behind Ohio State. Led by a well-balanced offense with QB Fernando Mendoza under center and a host of running backs, the Hoosiers are proving they aren’t a flash in the pan.

His HEISMENDOZA moment 🏆👀

Relive @indianafootball's game-winning drive lead by Fernando Mendoza 🔥 pic.twitter.com/StuhB4724R

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 8, 2025

Mendoza has passed for 2,758 yards, 32 touchdowns, and five interceptions on 72% completions. He’s also rushed for 243 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Mendoza is regarded as the top Heisman pick for many pundits. I have it as a toss-up with Sayin, but it’s hard to argue against Mendoza after he directed Indiana down the field for a game-winning drive against Penn State on the road.

He’s found a rhythm with WR Omar Cooper Jr. and WR Elijah Sarratt. They’re delivering consistently and are massive weapons in the red zone, with 10 touchdowns each. Have Indiana played an elite defense yet, though?

The Oregon Ducks are one of the better units in football and the Hoosiers went into Eugene for a 30-20 victory in a hostile environment in mid-October.

Since that win, Indiana avoided a letdown with wins over Michigan State, 38-13, UCLA, 56-6, Maryland, 55-10, Penn State, 27-24, Wisconsin, 31-7, and most recently blasted Purdue to wrap up the regular season, 56-3. The win over Penn State was a Heisman defining moment for Mendoza.

Indiana’s defense has been one of the best in the nation as well, with only the Buckeyes allowing fewer points than this unit. They are second in the FBS, as Curt Cignetti’s defense has held opponents to 10.92 points per game.

The Hoosiers are fourth, having allowed 251.8 yards a game this season. LB Rolijah Hardy has been tormenting quarterbacks with seven sacks, while DL Tyrique Tucker chipped in with 5.5 sacks this season.

In the secondary, CB Louis Moore has been involved at all levels as a pass defender and tackler. In other words, they are getting contributions all over the field. Combined with a consistent, well-balanced offense, Indiana’s season isn’t a fluke. I don’t know if they have enough weapons to keep pace with Ohio State, though!

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 16-7 win over rival Georgia Tech, the Bulldogs enter the SEC Championship on an 8-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 five games. Overall, the Bulldogs are only 46th in the FBS, yielding an average of 204.8 yards per game.

That said, they’ve taken strides forward since September. Junior LB CJ Allen has been a disruptor all over the field, as he leads the team in tackles with 80, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

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 body control and concentration on this pick by Ellis Robinson IV …just wow. pic.twitter.com/9dt3UmBg9s

— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) November 28, 2025

QB Gunner Stockton has been involved in the Heisman conversation as a slight dark horse behind the top contenders. 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 2,535 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions on 70.2% 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 809 yards on 5.6 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? I’m not so certain they can match Ohio State’s playmakers.