CFP Championship 2026-27 Betting Preview: Predictions, Odds, & Best Bets

Notre Dame Fighting Irish – The Most Motivated Team?

• • Head Coach: Marcus Freeman
  • 2025-26 Record: 10-2 (Didn’t Qualify CFP)
  • National Titles: 13
  • Key Players: CJ Carr (QB), Jordan Faison (WR), Adlon Shuler (S), Leonard Moore (CB), Christian Gray (CB)

With 72% of their production returning, Notre Dame leads the nation in this key category. This is an experienced group with plenty of motivation after being left out of the College Football Playoff. Head coach Marcus Freeman and his staff felt their 2025-26 resume was strong enough to earn a bid, but the committee thought otherwise.

Now, Notre Dame brings back a roster on both sides of the ball that’s fully capable of running the table and removing any doubt in 2026-27.

QB CJ Carr looks ready to make the next leap after throwing for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just six interceptions on 66.6% completions as a freshman. He also showed some mobility with three scores on the ground.

THE IRISH TIE IT UP WITH THREE MINUTES TO GO 😳

Watch the finish of Notre Dame-Miami on ABC and the ESPN App: https://t.co/Nz7AG4DFyf pic.twitter.com/bGocxXqDz4

— ESPN (@espn) September 1, 2025

Carr isn’t drawing much early Heisman buzz, but he has the upside to play his way into the conversation. His connection with wideout Jordan Faison could drive a big year for the Irish offense.

That’s despite the loss of elite running back Jeremiyah Love, a potential top-5 NFL Draft pick. Thanks to a deep, talented offensive line, Notre Dame should still be able to open lanes for RB Jadarian Price, the next man up in the backfield.

With RB Jadarian Price the final pick of the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft, Aneyas Williams is expected to be the next big runner in South Bend. After averaging 9.3 yards per carry on 24 attempts in 2025, he should fit in nicely in a starting role.

The real headline, though, might be this stacked Notre Dame defense. The Irish boast one of the deepest, most talented secondaries in the country, with multiple starters and key contributors returning for 2026–27. S Adlon Shuler is back, and he’ll be joined again by CBs Leonard Moore and Christian Gray.

Offensive lineman Charles Jaguash will start the season on the injury report with a nerve injury. However, he is expected to make his return to the field mid-season, and the Fighting Irish have more than enough depth to overcome his loss.

5-star freshman S Joey O’Brien broke his fibula in the spring game but is expected to make a recovery. Otherwise, the Fighting Irish are in good health with training camp approaching. Key expected contributors, including center Ashton Craig (knee), LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (knee), and Ohio State transfer WR Quincy Porter (knee), started camp in modified activity but are expected to be fully available for the season opener.

I’m optimistic about Notre Dame and they should be well-prepared to hammer teams and run up the scoreboard with their superior depth and well-rounded attack on both sides of the ball.

Ohio State Buckeyes – Sayin’s Season?

• • Head Coach: Ryan Day
  • 2025-26 Record: 12-2 (CFP Loss Quarterfinals)
  • National Titles: 9
  • Key Players: Julian Sayin (QB), Jeremiah Smith (WR), Chris Henry Jr. (WR), Bo Jackson (RB), Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (DE)

After a tough ending to their 2025-26 campaign, Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes will once again lean on a high-powered offense to carry them back to the promised land. They exited in disappointing fashion with a 24-14 loss to the Miami Hurricanes in the quarterfinals, and there are clear question marks on this roster.

The one area that inspires real confidence is their explosive offense. With QB Julian Sayin entering his second season as the starter, the Buckeyes should have no trouble lighting up the scoreboard. Sayin quietly put together a highly productive campaign last year and finished as a Heisman finalist.

He threw for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while completing 77% of his passes. Efficient and poised, Sayin spread the ball around with ease, and he’ll have no shortage of weapons again this season. Even with Carnell Tate off to the NFL, Ohio State is still loaded at the skill positions.

Sayin was up-and-down in the spring game, passing for 8-of-15 passing and an interception. He ran for a score and 10 yards on two carries to showcase his mobility.

Five star freshman QB Tavien St. Clair turned some heads with his performance, with 166 yards and a passing touchdown. Right, now there isn’t a quarterback battle, but it could get interesting early in the season if Sayin struggles. All signs from camp indicate that Sayin is in good form, though, and should be a serious Heisman contender.

"We've been having that chip on our shoulder, as a team, throughout the whole offseason."

Buckeyes' Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith join SportsCenter at Big Ten media days 🏈 pic.twitter.com/rJUSkaVlQT

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) July 29, 2026

At wide receiver, Jeremiah Smith is a dark-horse Heisman candidate, while electric freshman Chris Henry Jr. is expected to contribute right away. Henry arrives as the No. 1 wide receiver recruit in the country and is projected to develop into a more complete player than his late father.

He was the most impressive player in the spring game for the Buckeyes. Henry finished with four receptions, 96 touchdowns, and a touchdown to make a big impression in his introduction to Buckeyes fans in Columbus. He and Smith will cause huge issues for defenses this season.

In the backfield, the return of RB Bo Jackson is just as important, giving the Buckeyes balance and another dynamic threat. The starting offensive line configuration has been finalized following fall camp battles.

Ian Moore is set to start at left tackle, with Austin Siereveld shifting back inside to his natural position at right guard. The interior is rounded out by LG Luke Montgomery and C Carson Hinzman, with Phillip Daniels at right tackle.

The other side of the ball is where things get complicated. Ohio State’s defense will be extremely young, and several new faces must emerge quickly. They’re transitioning from an elite 2025-26 unit to one with multiple holes to fill.

It’s a major overhaul: DE Arvell Reese and LB Sonny Styles are now in the NFL, and the secondary has been hit hard by the departures of S Caleb Downs and CB Davison Igbinosun.

CB Jermaine Matthews’ decision to return was crucial, but the Buckeyes still need DE Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Eddrick Houston to hit their ceilings off the edge. Even if those pieces develop as hoped, growing pains feel inevitable.

With so much youth on defense, Ohio State is likely to find itself in plenty of shootouts throughout the 2026-27 season. This isn’t the same elite defensive unit as last season, which is concerning for Day and the Buckeyes. It’s also a tough schedule, with several high-profile matchups on the docket.

Fortunately, though, Ohio State is entering training camp in healthy shape. They had key injuries to starting offensive tackles, but Austin Sierveld and Phillip Daniels are back for training camp. Additionally, Florida State transfer S Earl Little Jr. will be set to play after recovering from a minor procedure. Clean health will be crucial for Ohio State’s defensive success in 2026.

Texas Longhorns – Arch Lives Up to Expectations?

• • Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian
  • 2025-26 Record: 10-3 (Didn’t Qualify CFP)
  • National Titles: 4
  • Key Players: Arch Manning (QB), Trevor Goosby (OT), Derrek Cooper (RB), Colin Simmons (DE), Graceson Littleton (DB)

No other program in the nation will start the season with more pressure than QB Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns. They have the talent and pedigree, but we’ve heard this story before.

Much like the Dallas Cowboys in Texas, the Longhorns have heard this recurring story too often. Manning was expected to breakout into a Heisman Trophy contender last season. However, it didn’t come to fruition and Manning had to answer several questions.

Steve Sarkisian on Arch and the camp he’s having 🤘🏼🤘🏼 pic.twitter.com/IZg5pzEWYm

— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) August 24, 2026

After a 10-3 season, the Longhorns were left out of the postseason discussion, and now Manning enters this season with sky-high expectations. He passed for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in a solid year, though nothing elite.

Entering his second full season as Texas’ starting quarterback, Manning was officially added to the Davey O’Brien Award watch list. This follows his inclusion on the Maxwell and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm watch lists as he leads the Longhorns into 2026.

Peyton Manning’s nephew is coming off foot surgery but looks sharp and at 100% in practice. Instead of a traditional matchup for their spring game, they held an open practice, with Manning in sharp shape in 7-on-7 drills. Manning should find instant success with a strong receiving core that includes Auburn transfer WR Cam Coleman and WR Ryan Wingo. I also expect a breakout campaign for junior pass catcher WR Emmett Mosley V.

Despite numerous injuries in the spring, the Texas’ offense is projected to be at close to full health for Week 1 aside from one key ailment to note on the offensive line.

Fortunately, Manning will have lynchpin LT Trevor Goosby back to protect him on the offensive line. That said, he is banged up going into the regular season. Goosby recently exited practice with a knee injury. Scans revealed a bone bruise rather than a season-ending tear.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian noted Goosby is making good progress, though his exact timeline to return to full live contact remains day-to-day as the opener approaches.

He’s going to need more help from the backfield, though. The backfield left Manning out to do it himself. Following backfield transitions, Steve Sarkisian rebuilt the running back room through the transfer portal. Hollywood Smothers (NC State) and Raleek Brown (USC) are battling for the primary carry duties heading into Week 1. 5-star freshman Derrek Cooper is being counted on to provide a huge lift.

The defense should once again be in good shape, as they return around 70% of their production. That includes 12-sack pass rusher Colin Simmons and game-changer DB Graceson Littleton in the secondary.

Despite the talent, I don’t know if Steve Sarkisian is the coach to get the most out of them, however. They should falter somewhere along the line, and the seat will get significantly warm for Sarkisian in Austin. It’s hard to trust the Longhorns for my college football championship picks at +775.

Expect a solid season and trip to the College Football Playoff, but a potential loss in the semifinals likely derails their national title dreams.

Oregon Ducks – Heisman for Dante Moore?

• • Head Coach: Dan Lanning
  • 2025-26 Record: 13-2 (Loss CFP Semifinal)
  • National Titles: 0
  • Key Players: Dante Moore (QB), Dakorien Moore (WR), Iapani Laloulu (C), Matayo Uiagalelei (EDGE), A’Mauri Washington (DT)

After falling just short in a 13-2 campaign that ended in the College Football Playoff Semifinals, Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks enter 2026 positioned as one of the most complete teams in the nation.

Priced at +800 odds to bring Eugene its first-ever National Championship, the Ducks represent one of the most attractive futures bets on the board. Lanning has quickly built Oregon into a physical, high-execution juggernaut that combines elite blue-chip talent with high-level coaching depth.

With an 11.1% implied probability of lifting the trophy, Oregon offers solid value on paper, but can you trust them to perform when it matters the most? The central engine driving Oregon’s championship campaign is QB Dante Moore, who elected to bypass NFL Draft buzz for a second year as the Ducks’ starter.

"I'll go with the Oregon quarterback over Arch [Manning]. I'll go Dante Moore."@MoveTheSticks believes that Oregon's Dante Moore can be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL draft 👀

(via @RichEisenShow) pic.twitter.com/iFujfzIdJB

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 27, 2026

Fresh off a dominant 2025 season where he piled up 3,565 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, Moore enters the year squarely in the middle of the Heisman Trophy conversation.

His development in Lanning’s scheme gives Oregon one of the most explosive air attacks in college football, especially with electric WR Dakorien Moore serving as his primary perimeter target. Moore and Jeremiah McClellan return to head the passing attack. McClellan is in a tight slot competition with UAB transfer Iverson Hooks.

Up front, veteran center Iapani Laloulu anchors an offensive line that consistently wins at the point of attack, giving Moore the pocket protection necessary to dissect Big Ten defenses.

While the interior line is set with Laloulu at center and Dave Iuli at right guard, the tackles remain competitive. Fox Crader holds the inside track at left tackle, while Gernorris Wilson leads Kawika Rogers for the starting right tackle job.

On the other side of the ball, Dan Lanning’s defense remains a terrifying proposition for opposing offensive coordinators. The Ducks boast an NFL-caliber front seven capable of wrecking game plans without needing to blitz heavily.

Edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei provides dynamic off-the-edge disruption, while DT A’Mauri Washington clogs running lanes and pushes the pocket against the run. This balance of a high-flying offense and an elite defensive line gives Oregon the highest floor of almost any contender in the country.

In the expanded College Football Playoff era, getting a proven title contender with this level of continuity at +775 odds makes the Ducks an attractive option. However, like Texas, this team seems to have an inherit issue in getting over the hump.

Similar to Oregon teams of past years, they should look like a champion at times and hyped up to the ceiling by the media, but unable to finish when the stakes are at their highest.