Ohio State Leads Early Favorites for 2025-26 College Football National Title Race

As college football fans turn their attention to the 2025-26 season, the betting landscape has already begun to take shape, with Ohio State emerging as the early favorite to clinch the national title once again. Following their recent championship victory, the Buckeyes are set at +450 odds on BetMGM, placing them ahead of strong contenders Texas and Georgia, both listed at +650. Despite their favored status, Ohio State faces significant roster challenges ahead of next season. The Buckeyes will bid farewell to several key players, including quarterback Will Howard, leading rusher TreVeyon Henderson, and standout wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. The defense, too, will experience a shake-up, losing leading tackler Cody Simon and top pass rushers Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau. However, Ohio State’s storied recruitment history offers a silver lining. Freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith is poised to step up as one of the top receivers in the nation, alongside Carnell Tate, who has shown promise as a reliable target. The running back position should see Quinshon Judkins return, keeping the offensive potential alive. The most pressing concern for the Buckeyes is the quarterback position. With Howard’s eligibility exhausted and both Air Noland and Devin Brown entering the transfer portal, Ohio State is left without a seasoned leader under center. The competition for the starting job is expected to come down to rising stars Julian Sayin and Tavien St. Clair, both of whom are highly regarded recruits in the Class of 2024. While it’s unusual for a national title favorite to have a question mark at quarterback, the uncertainty surrounding other top contenders contributes to Ohio State's prime position. Texas, for example, is banking on Arch Manning stepping into the starting role after serving as the backup this past season. Manning's inexperience as a full-time starter raises questions about his ability to lead the Longhorns to glory, particularly after the departure of Quinn Ewers, who recently declared for the NFL Draft. Similarly, Georgia is set to navigate a quarterback transition of its own. With Carson Beck transferring to Miami, Gunner Stockton is expected to take the reins, and like Manning, he will also be a first-year starter. The Bulldogs will need to regroup quickly, especially with running back Trevor Etienne heading to the NFL. Trailing the frontrunners in the odds is Oregon at +700, facing their own quarterback dilemmas following the departure of Heisman hopeful Dillon Gabriel. However, the roster does feature Dante Moore, a five-star recruit who brings some experience after spending the 2023 season at UCLA. Penn State shows promise at +850, boasting returning quarterback Drew Allar and a dynamic running back duo in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. With a strong core returning, the Nittany Lions are well-positioned, but head coach James Franklin must demonstrate he can steer the team past elite competition to validate their title ambitions. Notre Dame, which recently faced Ohio State in the national title game, is currently at +1200 odds, but the loss of starting quarterback Riley Leonard will challenge the squad’s continuity. Alabama, once synonymous with championship expectations, finds themselves at +1600 after a disappointing season, losing Jalen Milroe and struggling to maintain a high-powered offense. As the 2025-26 season approaches, Ohio State’s status as the favorite reflects not just their talent, but also the uncertainties plaguing other powerhouse programs. With so many traditional contenders grappling with critical questions at key positions, college football promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable landscape, ripe for upheaval and new narratives. The stage is set for a wide-open season, and fans will be eagerly watching how these storylines unfold as teams prepare for the upcoming campaign.