Big Money Programs Top 2025 College Football Futures Odds
In college football, the more things change, the more that they stay the same. The power programs once again dominate 2025 college football futures odds.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the defending national champs, and they begin the 2025 college football season as the betting favorite. Right behind the Buckeyes are the Texas Longhorns, who lost in last year’s College Football Playoffs to Ohio State. The Longhorns are getting a lot of attention in college football futures, as they boast Arch Manning, who is the grandson of Archie and the nephew of Eli and Peyton.
Not to be left out in terms of top teams heading into the new season are the Georgia Bulldogs. The Bulldogs won the national title in 2021 and 2022, but they took a small step back in the last two seasons. Also listed at single-digit odds heading into the 2025 college football season are the Penn State Nittany Lions and Oregon Ducks. They are high-profile teams that are knocking on the door of the big three of Ohio State, Texas, and Georgia.
The Nittany Lions return quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton. 2025 could be the year that Penn State challenges Ohio State for Big Ten supremacy. The Oregon Ducks are very similar to Penn State in that they are right on the cusp of winning a national title. Head coach Dan Lanning has turned the Ducks into a college football powerhouse.
2025 College Football National Championship Futures
Odds: Ohio State Buckeyes +500, Texas Longhorns +550, Georgia Bulldogs +650, Penn State Nittany Lions +750, Oregon Ducks +850, Alabama Crimson Tide +1400, Notre Dame Fighting Irish +1400, Clemson Tigers +1600, LSU Tigers +2000, Michigan Wolverines +250, Tennessee Volunteers +3000, Ole Miss Rebels +3000, Miami-FL Hurricanes +3000, Texas A&M Aggies +3500, All Other Teams +4000 or Higher
Ohio State Buckeyes +500
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has an interesting job. He is coming off a national championship season and has a career record of 70-10.
But to many Ohio State fans, none of that matters. Ohio State has lost four consecutive games to the Michigan Wolverines, and in Columbus, there is no greater sin. And Day will be feeling the heat on November 29 when Ohio State takes the field at the Big House to face the Wolverines.
Last year, the Buckeyes were derided for “purchasing” a national championship with one of the highest NIL payrolls in the sport. But that is the lay of the land, and Ohio State has nothing to apologize for; however, the Buckeyes lost both coordinators, their starting QB, and key contributors to their championship season.
At Ohio State, Day is expected to reload instead of rebuild, and gamblers can’t resist the brand.
Texas Longhorns +550
Speaking of buying things, the University of Texas prints money. Thus, head coach Steve Sarkisian’s program has no problem buying the best talent in the land.
The 2025 season will be fascinating to watch, starting with a new number one quarterback taking over.
Arch Manning, the grandson of Archie and the nephew of Eli and Peyton, takes over for Quinn Ewers. Manning could prove to be the Caitlin Clark of college football, a transformative figure who will draw casual eyeballs and betting handles. Manning is going to have to work with several new starters as Texas lost several key contributors from 2024. But rest assured, the talent is there.
Texas made the SEC championship game in its first year as a member, losing a heartbreaker to the Georgia Bulldogs. The Longhorns were dominated at Ohio State in the College Football Playoff, which they made for the second consecutive season.
Georgia Bulldogs +650
Since winning the national championship in 2021 and 2022, the Georgia Bulldogs have taken a step down. Georgia did win the SEC last year, but was 11-3 and dominated by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the CFP.
Georgia’s life in the fast-lane culture of perpetual traffic violations by players has not helped coach Kirby Smart’s reputation or the program’s focus. Still, Smart ranks as the best recruiter in the sport, and the Bulldogs hit the transfer portal effectively in the offseason.
Oregon Ducks +850
Oregon has Nike's backing, which means a virtual blank check from an organization that many consider to be the Great Satan of American Sports.
Head coach Dan Lanning learned to recruit as Kirby Smart’s defensive coordinator, and it shows.
But while Oregon is one of the most talented teams in the sport, it is not yet ready for prime time. Ohio State obliterated the Ducks 41-21 in the CFP.
The Rest
The Alabama Crimson Tide went through a painful transition in head coach Kalen DeBoer’s first season; however, the program has the infrastructure to recover quickly, and DeBoer is still considered a good coach.
The Clemson Tigers could be a sleeper pick. Head coach Dabo Swinney has a loaded offense and has finally hit the portal. The ACC should offer a clear path to a title shot.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish made the national championship game last January. And head coach Marcus Freeman is an elite procurer of talent. But an unsettled QB situation has gamblers concerned.
Brian Kelly is catching heat after a 9-4 season on the Bayou, but that could mean that LSU is a team to watch for a rebound season. The Tigers always have talent, and Kelly is motivated to redeem himself and the program.
