2024-25 College Football National Championship Odds: Familiar Faces Among the Favorites

The College Football Playoff semifinal games have yet to take place, but many are already looking forward to the 2024-25 college football season. There's plenty to be excited about, including conference realignments and the 12-team playoff. Plus, the flurry of transfer portal news has also forced teams to look toward next season.

The 2024-25 college football national championship odds are live at FanDuel Sportsbook. The favorites are not much of a surprise, as two of this season's playoff participants are in the top four -- Alabama and Texas. Georgia and Ohio State are more familiar faces among the most popular picks for the national championship.

Let's check out the early favorites for college football's 2024-25 national champion and break down the teams with the shortest odds.

Georgia Bulldogs (+480)

I know what you're thinking. Can we really look at the 2024-25 season already?

College sports have become difficult to follow on a year-to-year basis due to the transfer portal. The roster turnover seems to never stop, and several teams have already made key additions in the portal. For example, Georgia added 247 Sports' top running back transfer in Trevor Etienne, who rushed for 753 rushing yards in the 2023 season at Florida.

There are certainly many unknowns at this time, such as which key players will go to the NFL. The most talented rosters are still evident, though, and we have a good sense of which players must return for the 2024-25 season.

Following back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022, the Bulldogs are the favorite to win the 2024-25 national championship. Georgia was the favorite to win this season's title for nearly the entire season. The Bulldogs' only slip of the season -- against Alabama in the SEC Championship -- caused them to fall short of the playoffs.

Georgia should have plenty of returning talent for next season. This could include quarterback Carson Beck, and key defensive starters -- such as linebacker C.J. Allen, edge rusher Mykel Williams, and defensive backs Malaki Starks and Daylen Everette -- must return with fewer than three years of experience.

As previously mentioned, the Bulldogs have already landed notable transfers, including Etienne, London Humphreys, and Colbie Young. Georgia also landed 247 Sports' top 2024 recruiting class.

Per usual, the Bulldogs will be loaded with talent and should have the tools necessary to win their third title over a four-season span.

Alabama Crimson Tide (+550)

Alabama, who has six national championships under coach Nick Saban, is usually among the title favorites. That is true yet again for the 2024-25 season.

The Crimson Tide will likely have several returning starters on offense, including left tackle Kadyn Proctor and left guard Tyler Booker, who earned Second Team All-SEC honors for the 2023 season.

Quarterback Jalen Milroe will be the player to watch in the offseason. Will the redshirt sophomore return or head to the NFL? If he returns, Alabama could have one of the Heisman favorites for the 2024 season.

On defense, the Tide will likely return several stars, including First Team All-SEC safety Caleb Downs. Alabama also landed a top-20 transfer with defensive lineman LT Overton from Texas A&M. Plus, the Crimson Tide secured 247 Sports' second-best 2024 recruiting class.

The upcoming college football playoff will likely have a big impact on Alabama's odds for the 2024-25 national title. According to FanDuel's college football playoff odds, the Tide are the second choice to win the 2023-24 national championship (+220).

Ohio State Buckeyes (+600)

The only non-SEC team among the top four favorites is the Ohio State Buckeyes. Despite having only one college football playoff win since 2014's national championship, OSU is still one of the most popular picks for the 2024-25 national championship.

The Buckeyes could see their odds shift depending on upcoming NFL Draft decisions. Coach Ryan Day said it's possible that several key starters could return. This could include First Team All-Big Ten running back TreVeyon Henderson and Third Team All-Big Ten wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. Both players could boost their draft stock next season after dealing with injuries in 2023.

Ohio State also has the sixth-best 2024 recruiting class, which included five 247 Sports composite five-star prospects, the best mark in the nation.

The Buckeyes could be a risky bet, though, as they could be relying on a ton of inexperienced players. Quarterback Kyle McCord and wide receiver Julian Fleming both entered the transfer portal.

This likely leaves the QB spot to a three-way battle between Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, and incoming freshman Air Noland. With Marvin Harrison Jr. likely going to the NFL Draft, OSU's wide receiving corps will probably have at least two new starters.

The potential is certainly there for Ohio State, as usual. Before placing bets backing the Buckeyes, it could be wise to see which key starters return.

Texas Longhorns (+850)

The new face of this group of powerhouse schools is the Texas Longhorns. We can finally firmly say Texas is back. The Longhorns won their first Big 12 title since 2009.

Texas is competing for the 2023-24 national championship and has the third-shortest odds to win it all (+250). Similar to Alabama, the Longhorns' upcoming postseason performance should impact the 2024-25 title lines.

Coach Steve Sarkisian has done an excellent job of injecting loads of talent into Texas' roster. Quarterback Quinn Ewers has an upcoming decision to make regarding the NFL Draft. Even if he opts to head to the league, the Longhorns could be just fine with Arch Manning -- the former five-star recruit -- in line to grab the starting spot.

Texas has a brutal 2024 schedule partially thanks to their relocation to the SEC. They will face Michigan in the non-conference slate and have conference battles against Oklahoma and Georgia.

The Longhorns will likely return several key starters, including All-Big 12 running back Jonathan Brooks and offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. They also landed two top-20 transfers with edge rusher Trey Moore and safety Andrew Mukuba.

Others

The top six 2024-25 national title favorites are all squads hailing from the SEC or Big Ten.

Michigan has the fifth-shortest odds (+1000). This is another team that could see their odds shift following the 2023-24 College Football Playoff. The Wolverines will likely be replacing a lot of experience, and an NCAA investigation still hangs over Michigan's head.

Oregon could have one of the most intriguing lines. The Ducks have the chance to stack impressive wins next season with their move to the Big Ten; this includes matchups with Ohio State and Michigan. Oregon continues to stack talent, as they have the fourth-best 2024 recruiting class and won the services of two top-10 transfer quarterbacks -- Dillon Gabriel and Dante Moore.

LSU (+1400) and Florida State (+1900) round out the top eight favorites. The Tigers and Seminoles will be replacing their starting quarterbacks.

Overall, the early 2024-25 national championship favorites are dominated by the SEC and Big Ten. This could be a sign of things to come in the foreseeable future, as both are loaded following conference realignment.

Looking for the latest college football odds? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook and check out all of the college football betting options.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.