2025-2026 College Football Playoff Betting
At the onset of the week, chaos, anger, and angst are unleashed. On Sunday, December 7, 2025, the College Football Playoff teams and matchups were announced. Notre Dame was the first program left out, as it was bypassed by Miami-FL and the two Group of Six teams (Tulane and James Madison).
As a result of being bypassed, the Fighting Irish took their ball and went home. Notre Dame announced that it will not participate in a bowl game this year. Meanwhile, other quality teams, such as Texas and Vanderbilt, were also left behind for the College Football Playoff.
The great lesson of the 2025 College Football Playoff is that no matter how many teams will comprise it, the first few teams not included will rage about it.
Additionally, the Group of Six question must be asked. Since Tulane and James Madison can’t realistically compete for a national championship, perhaps the G6 should have its own playoff and championship.
Regardless, the first round of the 2025-26 College Football Playoff shall begin on Friday, December 19, with further action taking place on Saturday, December 20.
On Friday, December 19, the Oklahoma Sooners will host the Alabama Crimson Tide. And then on Saturday, December 20, the Texas A&M Aggies host the Miami-FL Hurricanes, the Ole Miss Rebels host the Tulane Green Wave, and the Oregon Ducks host the James Madison Dukes.
Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech earned first-round byes.
College Football Betting Lines
2025-26 College Football Playoff Schedule
First Round (Dec. 19-20)
Friday, December 19
No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama, 8 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN, WatchESPN
Saturday, December 20
No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Miami (Fla.), 12 p.m. on ABC, ESPN, WatchESPN
No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 Tulane, 3:30 p.m. on TNT, truTV, HBO Max
No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 James Madison, 7:30 p.m. on TNT, truTV, HBO Max
Quarterfinals (Dec. 31-Jan. 1)
Wednesday, December 31
No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Texas A&M/No. 10 Miami (Fla.) winner | Cotton Bowl | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
Thursday, January 1
No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon/No. 12 James Madison winner | Orange Bowl | 12 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 8 Oklahoma/No. 9 Alabama winner | Rose Bowl | 4 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss/No. 11 Tulane winner | Sugar Bowl | 8 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
Semifinals (Jan. 8-9)
Thursday, January 8
Fiesta Bowl (Glendale, Arizona) | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
Friday, January 9
Peach Bowl (Atlanta) | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
College Football Playoff National Championship Game (Jan. 19)
Monday, January 19
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
Ohio State Buckeyes
Despite losing the Big Ten Championship game to the Indiana Hoosiers, the Ohio State Buckeyes remain the top seed and betting favorite to win the national championship.
Despite its popularity among casual bettors, the Buckeyes maintained their betting value this season. Ohio State finished 12-1 straight up and 10-2-1 against the spread. The strength of Ohio State is its defense, ranked 1st overall and for fewest points allowed.
However, in its 13-10 loss to Indiana for the Big Ten title, the Ohio State offense was exposed as far less than elite. The Buckeyes rank 50th for total offense, 41st for passing and 73rd for rushing. Too much of the burden for Ohio State this season has been on its defense, and Indiana proved that may not be enough.
Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana is the Big Ten champion for the first time since 1967. The Hoosiers are for real, ending all doubts, after beating Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game. Indiana enters the CFP with some of the most impressive metrics in the land.
Indiana is 13-0 straight up and 8-5 against the spread. Indiana ranks 6th in the nation for scoring offense and 2nd for fewest points allowed.
Google it, head coach Curt Cignetti is a big-time winner.
Georgia Bulldogs
The Georgia Bulldogs are likely the most physical team in the CFP. Georgia is coming off a 28-7 decimation of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship Game.
Georgia is not an offensive juggernaut, ranking 69th overall and 49th in scoring—the Bulldogs rank 89th in passing offense. However, UGA ranks 9th for total defense and 9th for fewest points allowed.
Head coach Kirby Smart is certainly an asset with two national championships in his pocket. Smart has built one of the most fundamentally sound and toughest programs in college football.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Head coach Joey McGuire and his Red Raiders epitomize the modern era of college football. Texas Tech won its first Big 12 championship in a 34-7 blowout of the BYU Cougars. Why did the Red Raiders win their first league title in 30 years? Texas Tech is bought and paid for with one of the largest NIL budgets in the sport.
Speaking of money, Texas Tech made gamblers quite happy this season with a record of 12-1 straight up and 11-2 against the spread.
The Red Raiders are a complete team, ranking 5th for scoring offense and 3rd for fewest points allowed.
Yes, money can buy happiness.
Did You Know?
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ROLLOVER
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