The 2025–26 College Football season debuts the 12-team playoff, with Ohio State, Texas & Georgia leading a wide-open championship race.
College football is entering a brand-new era. With the 2025–26 season, the long-awaited 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) format officially takes center stage, marking the most significant evolution in the sport since the BCS gave way to the four-team playoff in 2014. This season won’t just crown another champion—it will set the tone for how future dynasties are built and measured.
The new structure means more teams will have a true shot, and parity across conferences could finally yield unexpected Cinderella runs. Yet even with added opportunity, some programs remain perennial favorites. Ohio State, Texas, and Georgia look primed for deep title pushes. Toss in other contenders like Michigan, Alabama, Florida State, and Oregon, and the journey to the championship promises drama, upsets, and unforgettable moments.
So who will reign supreme when the dust settles in January 2026? Let’s break it down.
The 12-team College Football Playoff is reshaping how champions are decided. The old four-team model often left out legitimate contenders, but now the field expands significantly. Here’s how it works:
This format rewards conference strength while giving powerhouse programs a second chance even if they lose their league crown. In practical terms? It means we could finally see schools from the Pac-12’s remnants, Big 12 powerhouses, or even Group of Five programs test themselves on the biggest stage.
More games, more drama, and more possibilities—2025 promises the deepest playoff race in college football history.
Heading into 2025–26, a cluster of powerhouse programs stand above the rest:
While the new format allows surprises, history suggests that blue-blood programs with depth and five-star talent are best positioned to survive multiple high-stakes matchups. Depth at quarterback and defensive line will be the deciding factors.
In simple terms: while parity is growing, the path still seems tilted toward college football’s royalty—but newcomers could shake things up like never before.
The Ohio State Buckeyes enter 2025 as the team to beat. Their offense, anchored by a Heisman-caliber quarterback and a wide receiver corps often hailed as the best in college football history, has few equals. Ryan Day’s team is not only dynamic through the air but has quietly built one of the country’s most balanced defenses.
After heartbreak in recent CFP appearances, the Buckeyes are hungry to silence critics about their ability to finish. With the expanded playoff, they won’t have to worry about a late-season slip costing them a shot. Instead, their depth means they’re tailor-made for the grind of playing through December and January.
Their biggest question lies in the trenches—can their offensive line hold up against the likes of Georgia or Michigan’s elite defenses? If so, Ohio State may finally deliver the national championship many believe has been overdue since 2014.
The phrase “Texas is back” has been uttered countless times, but in 2025, it finally rings true. Steve Sarkisian has transformed the Longhorns into one of the most dangerous teams in America. Armed with a veteran quarterback and an offensive scheme designed to stretch defenses, Texas has both the talent and the swagger to run the table.
Statistically, Texas ranked top-five nationally in offensive efficiency last season and broke into the top-15 on defense—something critics never thought possible in the Big 12 days. Now in the SEC, the Longhorns are battle-tested against the toughest competition every week.
Their wide receiver group might only be second to Ohio State’s, and their defensive front seven has matured into a nasty force. If there’s one concern, it’s depth in the secondary, which playoff-caliber quarterbacks could exploit.
Still, Texas isn’t just “a year away” anymore. The numbers reflect elite performance, and 2025 may be their golden ticket to hoisting the trophy.
It almost feels strange to call Georgia “underrated”—after all, they won back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022. Yet as attention shifts to Ohio State and Texas, the Bulldogs are quietly reloading with the same formula that defined their dominance.
Kirby Smart’s team, built on defense, remains one of the toughest units in America. Their defensive front is filled with NFL prospects capable of swallowing run games whole, while their secondary thrives in man coverage. Just as importantly, Georgia doesn’t panic on offense. They methodically control the clock with a punishing run game and high-percentage passing.
Critics argue they lack the “flash” of teams like Ohio State or Texas. But Georgia’s process-oriented approach is what makes them deadly in tournament-style settings: they rarely beat themselves.
As long as Smart is at the helm, Georgia is always a title threat. Being “underrated” may actually be their biggest strength—because if other programs overlook them, the Bulldogs could once again sneak into the title game and walk away with the crown.
Beyond the big three, several schools could very well crash the championship party:
The beauty of the expanded field is that teams like Utah, Washington, or even a dark-horse Group of Five champion could make noise. While unlikely to win it all, these programs could play spoiler and alter the bracket dramatically.
For the first time in decades, we head into a season where it feels like 10+ teams have a genuine path to the title.
The 2025–26 College Football Championship is shaping into one of the most thrilling in history. With the 12-team playoff, fans will see more marquee clashes, more underdog stories, and more opportunities for new programs to cement themselves as national powers.
Yet, when analyzing talent, coaching, and depth, a shortlist emerges. Ohio State, Texas, and Georgia represent the holy trinity of frontrunners—each with unique strengths, flaws, and championship pedigrees. Chasing closely behind are Michigan, Oregon, Florida State, and Alabama, programs that could easily flip the narrative if things break right.
Ultimately, it will come down to who peaks in December and January. History tells us that blue bloods usually prevail, but the expanded playoff ensures unpredictability.
So, who will reign supreme? While Ohio State looks poised to finally finish the job, the only guarantee is this: the 2025–26 season will be a turning point in college football history.
Sports Expert
Sports betting analyst with extensive experience covering various sports and betting markets.
MLB
Breaking down the 2025 MLB division races: odds, standings, key matchups, and betting angles for the final weeks of the regular season.
Football
Europe’s World Cup play-offs in March 2026 promise high drama, with giants at risk, underdogs rising, and careers on the line.
Football
Are Clemson’s 2025 title odds worth a bet? We break down their chances in the ACC, CFP futures, and national championship race.
