2026 College Football Playoff Futures: Betting Insights and Top Contenders
The 2026 college football season is right around the corner. Fans and bettors are buzzing with anticipation.
The latest College Football Playoff (CFP) futures odds are getting a lot of attention. A few surprising trends are starting to show up.
Caesars Sports is actually rooting for powerhouse programs this year—Ohio State, Georgia, and LSU. That’s not something you see every season.
Notre Dame and Texas are leading in ticket count and money wagered. They’re definitely the teams to watch right now.
Let’s get into the details and see what the latest CFP futures report is telling us.
Caesars Sports’ Unlikely Favorites
This season, Caesars Sports is hoping Ohio State, Georgia, and LSU come out on top. Normally, these teams are the ones bettors flock to, but the tables have turned a bit.
Joey Feazel, who heads up football trading at Caesars, says these teams are actually in a good spot for the sportsbook. Ohio State stands out the most, sitting as the +575 favorite.
Feazel points to the talent of quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Those two are expected to make some noise.
Ohio State’s Strong Position
Ohio State is getting a lot of attention—third in ticket count and fourth in money wagered at Caesars. They’re coming off a strong 2024-25 season, having just won the CFP championship.
This year, expectations are sky-high. The Buckeyes are expected to dominate the Big Ten and have their eyes on a big October matchup against Indiana.
With a top quarterback and receiver, Ohio State looks set for another big run. It’s hard not to imagine them making another playoff push.
Notre Dame and Texas: Betting Favorites
Notre Dame and Texas are leading the way in bets placed and money on the line at Caesars. The Irish are the +600 second choice for the 2026 national title, while Texas is right behind at +700.
Bettors have been backing both teams consistently this year. Their schedules seem to be fueling a lot of hope and hype.
Notre Dame’s Favorable Schedule
Notre Dame’s schedule is, honestly, pretty favorable. They’ll be double-digit favorites in every game except one—November 7 against Miami.
Even then, they’re 6.5-point favorites at home. That’s a big reason so many people are putting money on the Irish.
Texas and the Arch Manning Effect
Texas has a brutal schedule—top-five in difficulty, apparently. But that hasn’t scared off early bettors.
There’s a lot of excitement around quarterback Arch Manning. People are betting that the Longhorns can finally live up to the hype.
They’re drawing a lot of action, and you can feel the buzz.
Other Notable Teams and Bets
Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Texas might be getting the most attention, but they’re not the only ones in the spotlight. Oregon is seeing a surge in popularity, ranking fourth in ticket count and third in money wagered.
The Ducks are sitting at +750, making them a co-fourth choice in Caesars’ CFP odds. That’s not something you see every year.
Oregon’s Rising Popularity
Oregon’s move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten has definitely sparked new interest. Coach Dan Lanning seems to have people believing.
Bettors are taking notice. It’s a shift from previous seasons, and Oregon is suddenly on a lot of people’s radar.
Oklahoma’s Attractive Payout
Oklahoma is getting some attention too, mostly because of the potential payout. At +2400, the Sooners could make someone a lot of money.
Quarterback John Mateer has people optimistic about their chances. Oklahoma’s competitiveness is making them a sneaky pick for some bettors.
Big Bets and Long Shots
Beyond the big names, there are some wild bets and long shots making waves. One that stands out—a $3,000 wager on Rutgers at 500/1 odds.
If that somehow hits, it pays out $1.5 million. Not likely, but hey, that’s what makes futures betting so interesting.
High-Stakes Bets on Contenders
There are also some massive bets on the favorites:
- $15,000 on Ohio State at +600: If the Buckeyes win it all, that’s a $90,000 profit (total payout $105,000).
- $10,000 on Oregon at +800: A Ducks championship would net $80,000 (total payout $90,000).
- $10,000 on Texas at +725: If Texas pulls it off, that’s $72,500 profit (total payout $82,500).
These big bets show just how much confidence some bettors have in their picks. The 2026 season can’t get here fast enough.
Conclusion
The 2026 college football season is just around the corner. The CFP futures market? It’s already buzzing with some wild trends and bold bets.
Caesars Sports seems to be pulling for the usual giants—Ohio State, Georgia, and LSU. Meanwhile, Notre Dame and Texas are leading when it comes to both ticket count and total money wagered.
Oregon and Oklahoma are getting plenty of attention too. This season could get unpredictable fast.
If you’re curious for more, dive into the full College Football Playoff futures report from FOX Sports.
