College Football Playoff Odds 2024-25: Ohio State Favored Over Notre Dame in Championship
Just two teams remain in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff, as Notre Dame and Ohio State prepare to clash on Monday, Jan. 20, from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. ET.
While the Fighting Irish may be the higher seed in the College Football Playoff bracket, it's the Buckeyes who are the favorites by the College Football Playoff odds.
Ohio State heads into the game leading the college football championship odds as an 8.5-point favorite to take home the crown as the top team in the country.
College Football Playoff odds 2024-25
- College football odds list Ohio State as a -350 moneyline favorite against Notre Dame in the championship
- All four teams with bye weeks (Arizona State, Boise State, Georgia, and Oregon) were eliminated in the quarterfinals
- The Buckeyes' dominance in the playoff has them as the favorites by the 2025-26 CFP National Championship opening odds
College Football Playoff National Championship odds
Ohio State vs. Notre Dame odds: CFP National Championship
- Championship matchup: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame
- Conference matchup: Big Ten vs. Independent
- When: Monday, Jan. 20
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- How to watch: ESPN
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- Projected score: Ohio State 26 - Notre Dame 20
- Ohio State's NFL draft prospect to watch: Tyleik Williams, IDL
- Notre Dame's NFL draft prospect to watch: Xavier Watts, SAF
College Football Playoff expert picks for CFP National Championship
Final College Football Playoff seeding
Seeding based on final the College Football Playoff rankings, which released on Sunday, Dec. 8.
| Seed | Team | Record | Selection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | 13-0 | Big Ten Champion |
| 2 | Georgia | 11-2 | SEC Champion |
| 3 | Boise State | 12-1 | MWC Champion |
| 4 | Arizona State | 11-2 | Big 12 Champion |
| 5 | Texas | 11-2 | At-large |
| 6 | Penn State | 11-2 | At-large |
| 7 | Notre Dame | 11-1 | At-large |
| 8 | Ohio State | 10-2 | At-large |
| 9 | Tennessee | 10-2 | At-large |
| 10 | Indiana | 11-1 | At-large |
| 11 | SMU | 11-2 | At-large |
| 12 | Clemson | 10-3 | ACC Champion |
College Football Playoff key dates
| Round | Date | Matchup | Location | How to watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semifinal 1 | Orange Bowl (Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.) | ESPN | ||
| Semifinal 2 | Cotton Bowl (AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex.) | ESPN | ||
| CFP National Championship | Monday, Jan. 20 (7:30 p.m. ET) | No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta) | ESPN |
How to bet on the College Football Playoff
Betting on College Football Playoff odds is pretty straightforward. Check out the odds for different teams; for example, if Alabama is at +300 and Ohio State is at +600, Alabama is favored to make it to the playoffs.
Decide how much you want to wager and place your bet. If you bet $100 on Alabama at +300 and it makes it, you’ll get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake).
Keep an eye on the teams' performances throughout the season to see how your bet is shaping up.
Remember, with future markets, odds can see plenty of movement. It's all about performance and perception.
If a team performs better or worse than expected, its odds will change. Injuries to key players can significantly impact a team's chances and, consequently, their odds. New player acquisitions or losses, coaching changes, and team dynamics can also affect odds. Public betting trends matter too; if a lot of people are betting on one team, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to manage their risk.
Expert analysis and predictions can also sway public opinion and betting patterns. Understanding these factors helps you make smarter bets and potentially catch some favorable odds shifts.
How to read College Football Playoff odds
Odds are typically shown in formats like +300 or -150. Positive odds (e.g., +300) show how much profit you'd make on a $100 bet.
For instance, a $100 bet at +300 odds would win you $300, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $400. Negative odds (e.g., -150) indicate how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $150 bet at -150 odds would win you $100, plus your $150 stake, totaling $250.
These odds reflect the implied probability of a team making the playoffs. Lower odds (e.g., +200) suggest a higher likelihood, while higher odds (e.g., +1000) indicate a lower likelihood. Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on various factors like team performance, injuries, coaching changes, and public betting patterns.
For example, if Alabama has +300 odds and Ohio State has +600 odds, Alabama is considered more likely to make the playoffs. If you bet $100 on Alabama and they make it, you’d get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake).
College Football Playoff FAQs
Who is the CFP national championship favorite?
Ohio State is the favorite by the 2025 college football championship odds. The Buckeyes' longest odds (-350) imply a 77.78% probability they'll win it all, according to our odds calculator.
Who were the top four in the College Football Playoff?
The top four seeds, and first-round byes, go to the highest-ranked conference champions. Those byes were earned by Oregon (Big Ten), Georgia (SEC), Boise State (Mountain West), and Arizona State (Big 12).
How many teams make the College Football Playoff?
Previously only four teams were selected for the College Football Playoff, but this season the playoff will expand to 12 teams. The top five ranked conference champions will be automatic qualifiers for the playoff along with seven at-large teams, decided by the College Football Playoff selection committee.
The top four conference champions will receive a first-round bye in the playoff.
Who made the College Football Playoff last year?
Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Alabama were chosen for the College Football Playoff by the selection committee last season.
When did the College Football Playoff start?
The 2025 College Football Playoff started with the first round on Dec. 20 and 21, with games being played at the campus of the higher seed. The quarterfinals were then played across the Fiesta, Peach, Rose, and Sugar Bowl on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
The semifinals took place Jan. 9 and 10 at the Orange and Cotton Bowl before the CFP National Championship game on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.
College football odds pages
| CFP National Championship Odds | SEC Odds | Big 12 Odds | Bowl Season Odds & Info |
| Heisman Trophy Odds | Big Ten Odds | Pac-12 Odds | |
| College Football Playoff Odds | Mountain West Odds | ACC Odds |
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