Who Are the Favorites to Win the 2024/25 College Football National Championship?
In the sporting world, the court and the rink are in the headlines as the NBA and the NHL race toward crowning their respective champions. However, once Larry O’Brien and the Stanley Cup have both been awarded, all eyes will return to the gridiron. The NFL gets underway on September 5th as the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs host a rematch of the AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead, while one week prior, the NCAA will get underway.
Just as it did last season, the curtain raiser will occur at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland as Florida faces off against Georgia Tech in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Last year, there was a mouthwatering clash as the Fighting Irish headed to their spiritual home to face off against the Navy, eventually romping to a 42-3 victory. This year, the Seminoles have been made a huge 13-point favorite, with the latest college football week 1 odds pricing them as short as -550 on the money line.
As we edge closer to the new season, anticipation is mounting. The quest for the National Championship is always thrilling, and this year, several powerhouse programs are poised as favorites to hoist the trophy. Here are the bookies’ top three.
Georgia
The Bulldogs top the list of favorites with odds of +300, and it’s not hard to see why. Coming off back-to-back national championships in recent years, Kirby Smart’s squad has established itself as the dominant force in the SEC. With Stetson Bennett under center, the Athens-based outfit romped to glory in both 2022 and 2023, dispatching Bryce Young’s Alabama Crimson Tide in the latter while dominating the TCU Horned Frogs in the former, eventually running out 65-7 victors, the most lopsided scoreline in national championship history.
Their two-time title-winning quarterback has since moved on, with the Los Angeles Rams taking him in the fourth round of last year’s draft. Since then, Carson Beck has taken over at quarterback and he was in scintillating form last term, racking up a whopping 3,941 throwing yards – the third-highest in the entire league – but he could do nothing to stop his team from suffering a shockingly early exit in last year’s playoffs. His side was stunned by their rival Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship game, with Alabama gaining revenge for their 33-18 defeat in the big one at Lucas Oil Stadium two years prior.
For the 2024/25 season, Georgia’s defense remains a juggernaut, featuring a blend of experienced veterans and highly-touted recruits. Look out for 19-year-old defensive lineman Mykel Williams and linebacker Smael Mondon, who are expected to anchor the defense. On the offensive side, Beck looks ready to step into the spotlight left by the departing Bennett and the bookies make him a +900 joint favorite for the Heisman next season.
Ohio State
Next in line are the Buckeyes, and they too are much fancied with relatively short odds of +450. Under head coach Ryan Day, the Discovery City side has consistently been a playoff contender, with their explosive offense and robust recruitment consistently propelling them toward a deep postseason run. This year is no different, and O H is loaded with talent across the board.
Quarterback Devin Brown is expected to lead the offense, building on the legacy of stellar QBs before him. The likes of Justin Fields and current NFL Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud have both come through the doors in Columbus in recent years, and the new starting QB spent two years as a secondary to the latter in 2022 and 2023. It will be interesting to see how much he has learned from the current Houston Texans star and whether he can follow in his footsteps. Now as a junior, he has plenty of responsibility on his young shoulders.
Marvin Harrison Jr is one of the nation’s top wide receivers and will be Brown’s primary target while running back TreVeyon Henderson provides an ominous presence in the backfield. He racked up a mighty 1,248 yards last season and now, in his senior year, he will be aiming for another stellar campaign to ensure that he secures a spot in the NFL in 2025. Defensively, the Buckeyes have addressed past weaknesses, with standout players like defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau expected to make significant contributions to their championship assault.
Texas
The Longhorns represent an intriguing pick at odds of +700. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has infused new energy into the program, and the team’s trajectory appears promising. After several rebuilding seasons, Texas seems poised to return to national prominence.
Their offense will be led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, a former top recruit out of Carroll Senior High School who showed flashes of brilliance last season, throwing for 3,479 yards and 22 touchdowns as his side reached the playoff semifinals. His supporting cast includes a deep receiving corps consisting of Isiah Bond and Matthew Golden, with a solid offensive line to boot. On defense, Texas boasts a mix of experienced players and rising stars, such as linebacker Jaylan Ford and defensive back Jerrin Thompson.
