Less than a year after being left out of the College Football Playoff, Notre Dame has emerged as a top betting favorite to win the first CFP championship game held in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium in 2027.
Caesars Sportsbook lists the Fighting Irish as the 6-1 favorite. At STN Sports, defending national champion Indiana sits at +650, while 2025 champion Ohio State is 6-1 at BetMGM. The Westgate SuperBook has Ohio State and Texas as 7-1 co-favorites, followed by Notre Dame, Indiana and Oregon at 8-1.
“We opened Ohio State at 8-1, and someone bet $10,000 on them at 8-1 right away,” Westgate vice president of risk Ed Salmons said. “If you look at Ohio State’s schedule next year, it’s one of the hardest schedules I’ve ever seen. They play at Texas out of conference, then they play at Indiana, at Iowa and at USC.” The Buckeyes also host Oregon and Michigan.
Notre Dame’s path appears easier, with a home game against Miami (Florida) as its toughest test. Starting next season, if the Irish are ranked in the top 12 by the CFP committee, they are guaranteed a berth. “Their schedule is a joke, and with the new rules, they’re in the playoffs,” Salmons said. “Put them in.”
Other notable odds at the Westgate: Georgia at 10-1, Texas Tech and LSU at 12-1, Texas A&M at 18-1, Alabama and Miami at 20-1, and USC at 30-1. Salmons noted that Texas Tech and Indiana have been active in the transfer portal. “Now it’s just about who’s got the most money to get the players. If you told me 10 years ago that Texas Tech and Indiana would be two of the top five every year in college football, I’d look at you like you’re nuts.”
