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

Texas Longhorns – Has Arch’s Time Arrived?

• • Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian
  • 2024-25 Record: 13-3 (Loss CFP to Ohio State)
  • National Titles: 9
  • Key Players: Arch Manning (QB), CJ Baxter (RB), Ryan Wingo (WR), Anthony Hill Jr. (LB), Colin Simmons (LB)

The Arch Manning era finally begins in Austin, as the Texas Longhorns embark on a new season with unbelievably high expectations. There hasn’t been this much pressure on the Texas football program since Colt McCoy was in college.

There is always pressure on Texas, but I can’t remember a year where there was so much buzz in the air. It’s largely due to Manning getting his first opportunity in the Texas’ offense. Quinn Ewers is in the NFL now, so the QB1 job is all Manning’s in 2025-26.

When Manning had the chance in relief duties last year, he looked fantastic in the pocket. Manning passed for nine touchdowns and two interceptions on 67.8% passing. It was a good chance for him to get his feet wet, and his numbers will explode in his first year as a starter. And, oh yeah, unlike Peyton and Eli, Arch can run.

ARCH MANNING TAKES IT 67 YARDS TO THE HOUSE WITH HIS LEGS 😱

It's the longest rush by a Texas QB since Vince Young in 2005. pic.twitter.com/AjU9uSli2c

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 15, 2024

The 6’4”, 225-pound quarterback should instantly find chemistry with WR Ryan Wingo. Wingo saw limited action last year as a freshman but looked outstanding when he was on the field. He and DeAndre Moore Jr. will cause havoc in the secondary against defenses this season. Also, offensive lineman DJ Campbell and junior TE Jake Endries were added to the Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List.

Defensively, Texas is well-equipped with a strong linebacker core. All-American Anthony Hill Jr. is back alongside Liona Lefau and Trey Moore. Edge rusher Colin Simmons gives Texas a strong presence in the sacks department, and he’s capable of running down runners and dropping back in coverage. This has a solid chance to be the best defense up front in the nation.

The defense includes two players who were recently added to the Lombardi Award Watch List. Hill Sr. and Simmons are both on the list and are projected to create monster stat lines in 2025.

Texas’ NIL budget is the largest in the country, with a roughly $35 to $40 million available! There is no shortage of donor money to go around in Austin, and it will ultimately help propel the Longhorns into a powerhouse this season. Expect them to build on a solid year and into the upper echelon of college football in 2025-26.

Penn State Nittany Lions – Best Team in the Big Ten?

• • Head Coach: James Franklin
  • 2024-25 Record: 13-3 (Loss CFP to Notre Dame)
  • National Titles: 2
  • Key Players: Nicholas Singleton (RB), Kaytron Allen (RB), Drew Allar (QB), Dani Dennis-Sutton (DE), Zane Durant (DT)

Penn State might be the sneakiest pick on the board to win the CFP National Championship. They aren’t getting as much attention as Texas, Ohio State, or even Georgia, but Penn State’s odds are rising while the latter two teams have sunk slightly.

This is an incredibly well-balanced group with playmakers on both sides of the ball. Led by a vaunted running attack, the offense is going to move the ball on most defenses this season. RB Nicholas Singleton and RB Kaytron Allen are set to be a two-headed beast in the backfield for the Nittany Lions.

Singleton is coming off a standout junior season with 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns on 6.4 yards per carry. He is expected to breach career-highs out of the backfield this season. The senior also collected 41 receptions, 375 yards, and five scores as a receiver.

PENN STATE BREAKS THE GAME OPEN 😳

Nicholas Singleton takes it 58 yards to the house 🏠 pic.twitter.com/bE4KuTM77T

— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2025

Allen joins Singleton, who is also going to be a massive threat as a runner. He led the Nittany Lions with 1,108 yards, eight touchdowns, and five yards per carry. I’m confident that Singleton and Allen will lead Penn State to well over 2,000 yards rushing.

Along with a stacked backfield, Penn State brings an experienced signal caller onto the field in 2025-26. QB Drew Allar heads into his senior season and third as the starter with a plethora of experience. Allar is coming off a career-high 3,327 yards and a 66.5% completion rate in 2024-25. He passed for 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

The defense is going to be especially stout as well. In 2024-25, Penn State finished fifth in total yards allowed with 295.1. They were in the top 10 in rushing yards allowed and 28th against the pass.

Power rusher DE Abdul Carter is off to the NFL, but DE Dani Dennis-Sutton should do a solid job replacing him. DT Zane Durant should also be a menace in the middle of the defense.

Penn State has produced FOUR 1st Round Defensive Lineman Since 2021

Dani Dennis-Sutton appears to be next in line🐾 pic.twitter.com/ViRE7HqUtA

— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 30, 2025

The secondary is well-equipped with safety Zakee Wheatley looming. He’s coming off a stellar performance in the CFP and earned All-Big Ten honors. Expect Wheatley to take an extra leap and develop into an elite safety this season.

I’m not surprised to see Penn State’s CFP odds improving, as this is a dangerous squad and possibly has the edge over Ohio State in the Big Ten.

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.

QB Will Howard was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. That leaves a new quarterback to fill the void in Columbus. Fortunately, the Buckeyes appear to have a good one in QB Julian Sayin. It should be plug-and-play with him at the controls.

The former 5-star Alabama commit has sky-high expectations heading into his first year as the Buckeyes’ QB1. Fortunately, for Sayin, he has a wealth of talent to work with.

Star WR Jeremiah Smith is back after a standout freshman campaign.

Jeremiah Smith should NOT be able to move like this at 6’3” 225 pounds.

The Buckeyes sophomore WR is an actual CHEAT CODE 😳 pic.twitter.com/xmjzqz6HiT

— Rookie Watch (@RookieWatxh) August 1, 2025

Smith caught 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024. He’s on pace to be one of the best wide receivers in college football this season. Paired with Carnell Tate, it’s going to be hard for Sayin to have a bad season. Along with Smith and Tate, the Buckeyes have three receivers on the 2025 Biletnikoff Preseason Watch List! Additionally, TE Max Klare is on the Mackey Award Watch List for the best tight end in the nation.

On the downside, RB TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Jenkins are off to the NFL, so there is a need in the backfield.Nevertheless, James Peoples and CJ Donaldson are likely to develop into a formidable tandem. The offensive line should be stout in the interior with Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, and Tegra Tshabola. Overall, Ohio State was 14th in the NCAA, with 35.7 points per game. Expect a similar figure in 2025-26.

Likewise, Ohio State’s defense is expected to be talented at all levels on the field. Safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Sonny Styles are worth keeping a close look at this season. The Buckeyes’ defense was stout en route to their national title. They led the nation by conceding 254.6 yards per game and 12.8 points per game.

There was one moment in training camp when Eddrick Houston had the coaching staff holding their collective breaths. In what appeared like a potentially serious injury, Houston was diagnosed with a minor knee injury, so he should be fine for Week 1.

Named to the Outland Trophy watchlist for this season, Houston’s absence would be a big loss. Four defensive linemen departed for the NFL in the offseason, so Houston failing to reach 100% would loom large in Columbus.

If Sayin doesn’t have any major hiccups, the Buckeyes are going to be flying again this season. With elite targets at his disposal, the QB is in the perfect situation and is essentially getting the keys to a Ferrari. He should put up numbers while Ohio State competes for another national title. The depth on the defensive line is my only real concern.

Georgia Bulldogs – Back to the Top of College Football?

• • 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), CJ Allen (LB), Christen Miller (DL), Daylen Everette (CB)

The Georgia Bulldogs won back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. While they’ve been a threat over the last two years, the Bulldogs lost some of their prowess. Last season, Georgia lost to Notre Dame in a 23-10 final in the quarterfinals.

The offense was spotty and unable to find much traction with QB Carson Beck at the helm. Beck was underwhelming in a season he went into as one of the Heisman Trophy favorites. Georgia is in the midst of a quarterback battle, but it appears that Gunner Stockton will start Week 1.

Despite Georgia being scheduled to play Marshall in less than a week, head coach Kirby Smart hasn’t named the starter. It’s highly likely for Stockton to get the nod, though we could see two quarterbacks on the field for the opening week.

Gunner Stockton on the process of becoming the starter at Georgia and remaining loyal to the Dawgs:

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play at Georgia. When I committed, I envisioned myself playing and being at Georgia and I didn’t want to go anywhere else.” pic.twitter.com/UEI7xT81Xx

— Jonathan Williams (@Dr_JWill) July 15, 2025

Stockton served as Beck’s backup in his second collegiate season. He has little experience, with three touchdowns and two interceptions in two years. Nevertheless, Stockton is likely Georgia’s best option over redshirt freshmen Ryan Puglisi and Colter Ginn.

Along with a new quarterback, the wide receiver room will be different this season. Everything could come together in Athens, but there are far too many question marks for the Bulldogs’ offense. RB Nate Frazier must play a huge role for Georgia to have success.

Known for developing elite tight ends, Georgia has two on the Mackey Award Watch List with TE Oscar Delp and Lawson Luckie.

Where I am confident is on the defensive side of the ball. Last season, the Bulldogs weren’t the usual lock down unit on defense we’ve become accustomed to, but there is reason to be optimistic. Georgia finished 24th, with 21.9 points allowed per game. They were also 53rd against the pass, so it wasn’t perfect for a defense that typically is extremely hard to break.

Still, expect Georgia to get back to basics and look like more of a top 10 defense in 2025. They have playmakers at all levels, including linebacker CJ Allen, defensive lineman Christen Miller, and cornerback Daylen Everette. The defense should show improvement, but the offense could be hit or miss!