With conference championship games on the docket for Saturday, the 12-team College Football Playoff picture continues to materialize.
While Ohio State remains favored to defend its national title, the top-ranked Buckeyes are far from a lock.
Before diving into my CFP National Championship winner pick, let’s look at where things stand on the odds board.
CFP National Championship Odds 2026
All college football odds used for these National Championship predictions are current as of Tuesday, Dec. 2, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Ohio State (+160)
- Indiana (+425)
- Georgia (+800)
- Oregon (+1000)
- Notre Dame (+1000)
- Texas Tech (+1100)
- Texas A&M (+1200)
- Alabama (+1200)
- Ole Miss (+3500)
All other teams have odds of +7000 or longer.
Who Will Win the CFP National Championship?
Ohio State (+160)
Ohio State is the national championship odds betting favorite, and for good reason.
The defending champs are undefeated with wins over Texas and Michigan. On top of that, they seem like a lock to finish in the top four of the CFP rankings, a scenario that would give them home-field advantage for the quarterfinals.
The 12-0 Buckeyes have been dominant on both sides of the ball, with a well-balanced offensive attack quarterbacked by Heisman hopeful Julian Sayin and an unrelenting defense that’s allowed an FBS-low 7.8 points per game.
Given that, it’s no surprise that the Buckeyes top my best college football bets for the National Championship.
CFP National Championship Contenders
Indiana Hoosiers (+425)
Continuing its remarkable turnaround under Curt Cignetti, Indiana (12-0) completed its first undefeated regular season in program history.
The second-ranked Hoosiers have the frontrunner in the latest Heisman Trophy betting odds in quarterback Fernando Mendoza and rank top-five nationally on both sides of the ball.
The Hoosiers have only one marquee win, but it was a big one: 30-20 at Oregon on Oct. 11. Of course, they’ll have an opportunity for a few more, starting with Saturday’s Big Ten Championship against Ohio State.
Georgia (+800)
Georgia may be the most dominant team outside of the two remaining unbeatens.
The third-ranked Bulldogs (11-1) have already scored wins over Tennessee, Ole Miss, Texas, and Georgia Tech, and will get a chance to avenge their loss to Alabama in Saturday’s SEC title game.
- See where the Bulldogs rank in our College Football Power Rankings.
A victory over the Crimson Tide should give the Bulldogs — at worst — the No. 2 seed in the CFP and a home quarterfinal, easing their path through the postseason.
CFP National Championship Sleeper Pick
Alabama (+1200)
With several quality wins and a high-level producer at quarterback in Ty Simpson — who threw for three touchdowns in the Iron Bowl win over Auburn — Alabama (10-2) is impossible to overlook.
While last month’s loss to Oklahoma dented the Crimson Tide’s resume and put their CFP hopes in peril, they still control their own destiny. A win over Georgia should not only secure a spot in the 12-team field but also give them the confidence they need to go on a deep run.
With 12-1 odds, the Crimson Tide are among my CFP National Championship best bets.
Past CFP National Championship Winners
2025: Ohio State
2024: Michigan
2023: Georgia
2022: Georgia
2021: Alabama
2020: LSU
2019: Clemson
2018: Alabama
2017: Clemson
2016: Alabama
2015: Ohio State
