Caesars Sports flags Ohio State, LSU, and Georgia as key 2026 CFP futures risks
The betting market has identified three powerhouse programmes as favourable for the house, with Ohio State leading the odds despite heavy public support for Notre Dame and Texas.
As the 2026 college football season approaches, Caesars Sports has identified Ohio State, LSU, and Georgia as teams that are favourable for the sportsbook in the College Football Playoff (CFP) futures market. This positioning is considered unusual by industry standards, particularly regarding the inclusion of LSU, according to Caesars head of football trading Joey Feazel.
Ohio State enters the season as the +575 favourite to win the national title, a position that follows their victory over Notre Dame in the 2024-25 championship game. Despite this status, the Buckeyes are currently drawing the third-most tickets and fourth-most money in CFP futures at Caesars. Feazel noted that Ohio State is expected to be the No. 1 team in the Big Ten and is positioned to seek revenge against Indiana, the defending national champions.
Notre Dame and Texas are currently leading in betting volume, with the Fighting Irish ranking No. 1 in both ticket count and money, and the Longhorns in second place. Notre Dame is the +600 second choice, while Texas sits at +700. Feazel described Notre Dame’s schedule as "crazy easy," noting they are projected to be double-digit favourites in every game except against Miami, where they remain 6.5-point home favourites.
For Texas, the betting interest is driven by anticipation for quarterback Arch Manning and the team’s potential to live up to its status. Despite having a top-five strength of schedule, the Longhorns continue to attract significant early betting action. In contrast, Ohio State’s appeal is anchored in specific player performance, with Feazel highlighting quarterback Julian Sayin as underappreciated and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith as a likely top selection in the next NFL Draft.
The upcoming schedule presents immediate tests for the top contenders. Ohio State will face a significant challenge against Texas in Week 2, which Feazel identified as a key indicator of the Buckeyes’ true quality. Additionally, Ohio State’s October 17 road clash against Indiana looms large, as the Hoosiers, who defeated Miami 27-21 in the previous title game, are currently the +750 co-fourth choice in CFP futures.
