The NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) sets the stage for another high-stakes year, as 136 schools gear up for a season full of rivalries, surprises, and championship dreams. With fans already diving into 2025/26 College Football Season Predictions & Betting Odds, the question remains—who will rise above the rest?
The 2024 crown went to the Ohio State Buckeyes, but a new chase begins soon. The season opens August 23 and runs through December 13, leading into the postseason and a January 19, 2026, finale at Hard Rock Stadium—an endpoint already influencing the NCAAF Championship 2025/26 odds.
| ℹ️ Tournament: | 2025 NCAA Division I FBS Football Season |
| 🏉 Venues: | Across the US; Bowl Game at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida |
| 🗓️ Dates: | 23 August 2025 – 19 January 2026 |
Coming off a landmark season, the FBS now features 136 schools across 10 conferences. Each team plays a 12-game regular season packed with fierce regional rivalries. The 12-team College Football Playoff enters its second year with a new twist—top four overall teams earn first-round byes, while the five highest-ranked conference champions still secure automatic bids.
The CFP Selection Committee will rank and seed teams to fill the field. This streamlined structure ensures the most deserving squads advance, refining the drama behind the NCAA(F) Championship 2025/26 odds.
The roots of what we now call the FBS trace back to the late 19th century—starting with the very first college game in 1869. Visionaries like Walter Camp revolutionized the sport, inventing the line of scrimmage, the system of downs, and the concept of an All‑America team in the early 1900s. The bowl game era began with the 1902 Rose Bowl and blossomed through the 1930s with classics like the Sugar, Cotton, and Orange Bowls. By 1978, Division I split into I‑A (now FBS) and I‑AA (FCS), creating the modern hierarchy of college football. Championships evolved too—starting with polls, then BCS systems, and finally the College Football Playoff in 2014. Since the NCAA is like a second division of the National Football League, the best NFL betting sites also monitor the situation on the college level.
With the new season underway, early odds already highlight the programs most likely to chase the crown. Powerhouses and past champions dominate the list, but the mix of traditional contenders and rising threats adds intrigue to the NCAA(f) 2025 season winner odds.
The road to another title begins with last year’s winners, the Ohio State Buckeyes, who open the season as the top pick to repeat in 2026. Yet, their path is far from clear. Up to 16 players are projected to move on to the 2025 NFL Draft, leaving major gaps across the roster. The spotlight falls on the quarterback position, where two prized recruits, Julian Sayin and Tavien St. Clair, are set to compete for the starting role and the chance to lead Ohio State’s next chapter.
The Texas Longhorns enter the 2025–26 season carrying plenty of anticipation. Even with significant roster turnover, the team still boasts top-tier talent. Arch Manning is set to take command at quarterback, with Colin Simmons expected to be a defensive force. Their postseason run last year gave the group much-needed maturity, and many believe a breakthrough could be on the horizon. The opener against Ohio State will provide an early benchmark and show just how strong this Texas squad really is.
Penn State steps into 2025–26 with one of the most experienced rosters in the country. Quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen all chose to delay the NFL Draft, giving the Nittany Lions a veteran core on offense. Their semifinal run last year proved they can stay in the Playoff conversation, but those wins came against programs outside the traditional elite. Head coach James Franklin still searches for that signature triumph, and Penn State once again enters the season as a serious contender—a fact already reflected by American football bookmakers in the early odds.
Georgia enters 2025–26 in an unfamiliar spot after a season that fell short of their usual dominance. A thin group of pass catchers was a major factor, but the staff moved quickly to fix it by adding top transfer target Zachariah Branch, one of the nation’s most explosive receivers. His arrival should boost the offense, yet challenges remain. With 17 players heading to the NFL Draft, the Bulldogs face heavy roster turnover, leaving plenty of uncertainty about how quickly new talent can fill those gaps. Even so, Georgia’s pedigree ensures they’ll stay in the championship conversation.
Clemson enters 2025–26 as a sleeper with real upside. Cade Klubnik returns as a top Heisman contender, and for the first time in years, the Tigers boast a deep receiver group featuring Antonio Williams, Bryant Wesco Jr., and T.J. Moore. A sharper passing attack could make them dangerous against any opponent, something already visible in early college football bowl game 2026 odds.
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Ohio State enters the new season with the confidence of a champion and a culture built on winning. Depth across both lines of scrimmage gives them the foundation to dominate physically, while their recruiting pipeline continues to deliver elite talent at every position. Few programs reload as efficiently as the Buckeyes, and that balance of fresh stars and proven leadership makes them my pick to capture the 2025–26 College Football Bowl title.
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Indiana turned heads a year ago, but replicating that level of success through the transfer portal two seasons in a row feels unlikely. While the Hoosiers should remain competitive, expecting another big leap is a stretch. An 8–4 finish would still mark progress, yet the safer play points to the under.
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Luke Fickell faces enormous pressure after posting just a 12–13 record in his first two years and watching Wisconsin’s 22-year bowl streak come to an end. The 2025 schedule offers little relief, featuring road trips to Alabama, Michigan, and Oregon, plus a clash with Ohio State in Madison. With eight of nine Big Ten foes coming off bowl appearances, the Badgers are staring down a tough path. For those scanning NCAA football sites for betting, the under looks like the more sensible side.
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Tulane sits among the early frontrunners for the AAC crown after last year’s 9–5 campaign and a spot in the title game. With Jon Sumrall stabilizing the program and key talent arriving through the portal, the Green Wave remain a popular choice in NCAAF 2025 betting predictions.
The college football returns with new storylines, and a lot of attention will be focused on the second-best American football league. Read this guide about the NCAA(f) 25/26 season and make throughout decisions.
