You’re probably still getting your breath back from the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship. The dust has barely settled from Ohio State Buckeyes 34-23 win over Notre Dame Fighting Irish but fans (particularly those who love to gamble on sport) are already focused on next season. Who should be backed to be crowned champions in January 2026.
It was on January 20 that the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, hosted the 2024 Championship match. The new 12-team format had been used to determine the national champions. The seventh seeds (Ohio) beat Notre Dame (seeded eighth) in a final that definitely wasn’t expected.
Those gamblers who had backed the top seeds Oregon Ducks were soon disappointed. They lost to Ohio State in the quarter-finals. That stage of the competition saw the top four seeds lose to those seeded fifth to eighth. The surprises continued in the semi-finals with two more seeding upsets. This is not very good news for those placing bets, but it is excellent news for online sportsbooks in Ohio.
Recent years have seen massive expansion in the US gambling industry. 2018 saw a US Supreme Court Judge ruling declaring that individual states could make the final decision on whether or not to make gambling legal.
Nearly 40 US states have now gone down that route, and billions of dollars are being wagered. This also means that states receive huge amounts of gambling tax revenue. For example,
When analyzing betting handles, it is clear that their totals will rise when major sports such as American Football, Basketball, and Baseball are in season. When that’s not the case, figures do fall.
To ensure that there is still some revenue coming in from these sports, there are futures markets. Odds are made available on the next season and often the odds that are on offer can be higher than during the actual season.
Let’s, therefore, take a look at who the sportsbooks believe will win the next tournament. When making your decision, some research is needed, don’t just choose the team you support. One major hurdle that has to be considered if placing a bet in February or March is what’s going to happen in the NFL Draft.
Brave gamblers may decide to place their bets before the NFL Draft. If they feel that certain teams won’t lose many players in the draft, then the current odds on offer may well be larger than after the draft has taken place. Just like on the stock market, betting on futures markets can be a risky proposition, but some good profits could be made,
That takes place between April 24 and 26, and several top college footballers will be drafted to the NFL sides. Ohio State is expected to see some of their players leave and the number departing could reach double figures. Quarterback Will Howard looks destined to leave Ohio State in April. What will their squad for next season look like?
The impressive duo of Tavien St. Clair and Julian Sayin should be staying but winning the title next season may be a very difficult task.despite US sportsbooks currently having them as favorites to again win the title.
Currently second favorites at US sportsbooks are the Texas Longhorns. They lost to Ohio State in the 2024 semi-finals. It’ll be a much-changed squad for next season but the Longhorns look to have a talent pool that could still leave them in a position to challenge for the title next season.
Players such as Colin Simmons and Arch Manning will play key roles. They need to start well, though, as their first match of the 2025-26 season is on the road at Ohio State. We may well learn a lot from that fixture.
US sportsbooks had Oregon as the favorite to win the 2025 playoffs. The Big Ten champions lost in their first play-offs match but are third in the betting to redeem themselves next term. With new signings, including Na’eem Offord and Dakorien Moore, another strong title challenge looks likely.
Georgia lost in the quarter-finals, and a weak receiving corps didn’t help their cause. Work has been carried out in that area, and Zachariah Branch is now in their ranks. They are fourth in the betting list, but with 17 players declared for the NFL Draft, it’d be a worrying time for anyone backing them now.
Losing finalists, Notre Dame Fighting Irish should also again be in contention. Marcus Freeman is considered one of the best coaches in college football and looks an interesting bet.
The Penn State Nittany Lions narrowly lost to Notre Dame in the semi-finals. Next season will see them have an experienced squad with running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton not in the upcoming NFL Draft. They are fifth in the betting odds and look a decent bet at this stage to win the title next season.
