College Football Playoff Odds & National Championship Futures


Written By

Last Updated

College Football Playoff odds for the 2026-27 season are available at top online betting sites. At this point in the season, Georgia () is favored to win the national title, followed by Ohio State () and Texas (). Behind them, Miami ( and Notre Dame () round out the top five.

Let’s dig deeper into the odds to win the national championship.

College football odds to win the national championship

Below, we have the latest odds on the winner of the next college football national championship from online sportsbooks across the country. Clicking any of the odds will take you to the sportsbook where you can place that wager.

Favorites to win the 2026-27 college football national championship

Here are the best College Football Playoff odds for some of the favorites:

  • Georgia
  • Ohio State
  • Texas
  • Miami
  • Notre Dame

Get More College Football

Legal Sports Report features information on college football betting and tools to find the best odds at legal online sportsbooks. Get all the information from the season’s kickoff to the college football championship.

College Football Playoff format changes and recent history

The College Football Playoff (CFP) debuted in 2014, replacing the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). Initially featuring four teams, the playoff used two New Year’s Six bowls as semifinal sites before expanding to a 12-team format in 2024. Understanding the CFP structure is an important part of learning how to bet on college football.

Five teams receive automatic bids: the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC champions, along with the highest-ranked champion from the American, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Pac-12 or Sun Belt. The remaining seven spots go to the highest-ranked teams not already included. All 12 teams are seeded according to their rankings, with the four highest-ranked teams earning first-round byes regardless of conference championship status.

First-round matchups take place on campus Dec. 18–19. The Orange Bowl (Jan. 14) and Sugar Bowl (Jan. 15) serve as the semifinal sites, followed by the national championship game on Jan. 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

  • First round: Dec. 18-19 (campus sites)
  • Quarterfinals: Dec. 30-Jan. 1 (Fiesta, Peach, Rose, and Cotton bowls)
  • Semifinals: Jan. 14-15 (Orange and Sugar Bowl)
  • National championship: Jan. 25 (Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas)

SEC teams were the original force in the College Football Playoff era, winning six of the first nine titles. They continue to be well represented in the CFP Semifinals, but over the past three seasons, the Big Ten has been represented by its champion. Most recently, it was Indiana knocking off Miami to go 16-0 and win the National Championship.

SeasonDateWinning teamLosing teamOther semifinalists
2014Jan. 12, 2015Ohio StateOregonAlabama, Florida State
2015Jan. 11, 2016AlabamaClemsonOklahoma, Michigan State
2016Jan. 9, 2017ClemsonAlabamaWashington, Ohio State
2017Jan. 8, 2018AlabamaGeorgiaOklahoma, Clemson
2018Jan. 7, 2019ClemsonAlabamaOklahoma, Notre Dame
2019Jan. 13, 2020LSUClemsonOklahoma, Ohio State
2020Jan. 11, 2021AlabamaOhio StateClemson, Notre Dame
2021Jan. 10, 2022GeorgiaAlabamaCincinnati, Michigan
2022Jan. 9, 2023GeorgiaTCUMichigan, Ohio State
2023Jan. 8, 2024MichiganWashingtonAlabama, Texas
2024Jan. 20, 2025Ohio StateNotre DamePenn State, Texas
2025Jan. 19, 2026IndianaMiamiOle Miss, Oregon

Get more sports betting odds.

Important college football dates

The 2025-26 college football season closed on Jan. 19, when Indiana beat Miami 27-21 to finish 16-0 and claim its first national championship. Below are the important dates for the 2026-27 campaign.

  • Aug. 29: Regular season begins (Week 0)
  • Nov. 24-28: Final week of the regular season
  • Dec. 4-5: Conference championships
  • Dec. 12: Army-Navy game
  • Dec. 18-19: First round of CFP
  • Dec. 30-Jan. 1: CFP quarterfinals
  • Jan. 14-15: CFP semifinals
  • Jan. 25: National championship game

College Football Playoff FAQs

How are the teams chosen for the CFP?

Under the most recent format, a selection committee chose the four semifinal teams. That will change in 2024-25, when the five highest-ranked conference champions will get automatic spots in the playoffs, as will the six remaining highest-ranked teams.

Can I bet on the national champion before the qualifiers are announced?

Yes. Futures odds are available before the start of the season. Odds will shift as play in the season begins and the potential playoff picture becomes clearer.

Which team has won the most College Football Playoff national championships?

Alabama has won the title three times since the current format began in 2014, more than any other team. Georgia and Clemson have both won twice.

Can the College Football Playoff format affect championship betting odds?

Yes. The playoff format can influence a team’s path to the national championship and its overall title odds. Teams with favorable schedules, strong conference performances, or a clearer route to the playoff may see their odds shift as the season progresses. Injuries, rankings, and playoff selection scenarios can also affect futures prices, so it’s worth monitoring these factors before placing a wager.