Indiana's confetti hasn't even settled, and the books are already looking ahead. Ohio State opens as the favorite for the 2026 College Football Playoff at +600, because the offseason never sleeps and neither do degenerates.

The Quick Hit

• What happened: 2026-27 CFP national championship odds are live
• The damage: Ohio State +600, followed by Notre Dame/Oregon/Texas at +700
• Why you should care: Indiana cashed 100-to-1 tickets this year—early money wins
• The move: The defending champ Hoosiers are +800

Full Odds Board

Here's how BetMGM has it lined up as of Monday morning:

Why Ohio State Makes Sense

The Buckeyes are bringing back quarterback Julian Sayin and all-world receiver Jeremiah Smith. That's a terrifying combination. Smith might be the best player in college football regardless of position, and Sayin showed flashes before the Hoosiers destroyed their playoff hopes.

Ohio State also has the recruiting firepower to reload annually. They were the 2024 national champions and nearly made it back to back before Indiana's Rose Bowl beatdown of Oregon set up the title game.

Ryan Day has work to do on the perception front—his teams have underperformed in big spots—but the talent is there.

The Case for Indiana at +800

The Hoosiers just went 16-0 and won their first national title. Curt Cignetti turned a 2-10 team into champions in two years. If that doesn't earn benefit of the doubt, nothing does.

The question is how much of this was lightning in a bottle. Can they reload? Will transfer portal losses hurt them? The Big Ten is a meat grinder, and sustaining excellence is harder than achieving it.

But +800 on the defending champs feels like value. If you believed at 100-to-1, maybe you believe again at 8-to-1.

The SEC's Road Back

Georgia at +900 is interesting. The Bulldogs were the class of college football for years before their recent stumbles. Kirby Smart isn't going anywhere, and they'll reload through recruiting like they always do.

Alabama at +1500 feels high for a program of their caliber, but the Saban-less era has been rocky. Kalen DeBoer is still finding his footing, and the SEC is stacked.

LSU and Texas A&M share +1500 odds, both programs with resources and ambition but questions about coaching and consistency.

Longshots Worth Watching

Texas Tech at +1500 made the CFP this year and could be building something. Joey McGuire has that program trending up.

Miami at +2000 just played in the national championship and returns talent. If Cam Ward comes back for another year (doubtful), they'd be dangerous.

Michigan at +3000 is fascinating. Sherrone Moore's first full season went sideways, but the Wolverines have the infrastructure to compete.

The Historical Context

Last year, Indiana opened at 100-to-1. The year before that, Michigan was a major longshot before winning it all. Early futures can produce massive paydays if you catch the right team.

The flip side: Ohio State opened as a favorite multiple times and disappointed. Being the chalk means higher expectations and more ways to fail.

The Bottom Line

If you're shopping for next season's champion, the board is fresh. Ohio State is the logical choice, but "logical" doesn't always cash tickets in college football.

Indiana at +800 for a repeat, Georgia at +900 for a bounce-back, or one of those +1500 to +2000 flyers could all be smart plays depending on your risk tolerance.

The season starts in August. You've got time to think about it. But if you see a number you like, the offseason has a way of moving lines before you know it.