College Football National Title Odds Shift as SEC Powers Surge Ahead of Ohio State in 2025 Championship Race Entering Fall Camp
As the summer heat rolls into July, the college football landscape is already simmering with excitement and speculation for the 2025 season. National title odds are beginning to crystallize, and with that comes a reshuffling of the elite. While Ohio State entered the offseason as one of the most feared teams in the country—thanks in large part to its Heisman-caliber duo of quarterback Will Howard and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith—recent odds updates now suggest that several SEC powerhouses have overtaken the Buckeyes in the race for college football’s ultimate prize.
In what may feel like a familiar narrative, the Southeastern Conference has once again flexed its muscle. The latest national title odds show Georgia, Alabama, and even LSU inching ahead of the Buckeyes as favorites to win it all in January 2026. This isn’t necessarily a referendum on Ohio State’s roster; rather, it’s a reflection of the SEC’s continued dominance in recruiting, coaching continuity, and postseason experience.
Georgia leads the pack, and it’s not particularly close. With quarterback Gunner Stockton poised to take the next step in his development, and a defense that may be the deepest in the country, the Bulldogs are emerging as the team to beat. Kirby Smart’s machine hasn’t slowed down since back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022, and while they fell just short in recent campaigns, Vegas odds makers believe 2025 could be a return to the summit.
Alabama, under Kalen DeBoer, is also enjoying a rejuvenation. The Crimson Tide are reloading quickly after the departure of Nick Saban, and the transition has been smoother than many anticipated. DeBoer has retained much of Alabama’s culture while adding his own offensive flair. With quarterback Julian Sayin projected to be one of the nation’s breakout stars and a top-tier offensive line to protect him, Alabama is re-emerging as a legitimate title contender. It’s not hard to see why sportsbooks have moved them just ahead of the Buckeyes.
Then there’s LSU, a team that may not have the same recent championship pedigree but certainly possesses one of the most explosive rosters in the country. Brian Kelly’s program has quietly built an offensive juggernaut led by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and a wide receiver corps that ranks among the nation’s best. The Tigers’ biggest question has always been consistency on defense, but with a retooled front seven and a schedule that allows them to make a statement early, the oddsmakers are betting big on LSU’s upside.
Meanwhile, Ohio State finds itself sitting just outside the top three in most sportsbooks. That isn’t to say the Buckeyes are fading—far from it. Ryan Day’s roster is arguably the most balanced he’s had during his tenure in Columbus. The offensive firepower is undeniable. The defense, under Jim Knowles, has turned the corner. And the addition of veteran quarterback Will Howard provides the leadership the team sorely lacked in critical moments last season.
But the climb back to national supremacy is steep, and perception matters. Last season’s loss to Michigan, followed by a narrow defeat in the College Football Playoff semifinal, left a bitter taste. Despite returning a loaded roster, the Buckeyes are battling more than just opponents—they’re battling doubt.
This is the essence of college football heading into 2025: fine margins, elite talent, and the ever-present question of whether the Big Ten can keep pace with the SEC. While the Big Ten has expanded in scope—with USC, Oregon, Washington, and UCLA joining the fold—it’s still chasing the SEC’s perception of superiority.
That perception has real-world implications, especially when it comes to betting odds and public sentiment. The SEC’s grip on the national narrative has only strengthened. Every season, it produces elite talent, sends waves of players to the NFL, and occupies prime-time television slots. That exposure, combined with deep recruiting pipelines, gives teams like Georgia and Alabama a constant edge in the eyes of fans, media, and oddsmakers alike.
For Ohio State, the path to reclaiming the top spot in title odds is straightforward—but not easy. It begins with running the table in a rugged Big Ten that now spans coast to coast. The Buckeyes will need to take down Michigan in Ann Arbor, survive a visit from Oregon, and potentially square off against a surging Penn State program. The schedule is daunting, but also presents multiple opportunities for statement wins.
And if they get to the playoff? That’s where Howard and Smith can truly shift the odds. A dynamic postseason showing from either could flip the narrative overnight. We’ve seen it before: a red-hot quarterback or a dominant receiver changes everything in the playoff. Think Joe Burrow. Think DeVonta Smith. Will Howard and Jeremiah Smith could very well be that duo in 2025.
The key for Ohio State may lie in its defense. While the offense gets the headlines, it’s the ability to slow down the juggernauts of the SEC that will ultimately determine how far the Buckeyes go. The defensive line is stacked, the secondary is deep, and linebacker play has improved steadily. If Jim Knowles can unleash this unit at its full potential, it could neutralize even the most potent SEC attacks.
Still, odds are not set in stone. They’re reflections of current sentiment, recent recruiting, coaching changes, and the lingering effects of last season. For example, the SEC’s stronghold on the betting odds may also be driven by familiarity. The public has seen Georgia, Alabama, and LSU win big games recently. Ohio State has been close—but close doesn’t shift betting lines.
That said, the 12-team College Football Playoff in 2025 changes everything. With more opportunities to prove themselves on the biggest stage, a team like Ohio State has every chance to recalibrate the national conversation. Under the old system, one early loss could spell doom. Under the new format, teams can grow, improve, and still peak in December and January.
So while Georgia, Alabama, and LSU might top the odds today, the season isn’t played in July. It’s played over four grueling months where injuries, development, and momentum all play critical roles. Ohio State may not be the favorite right now, but that might actually work in its favor. Less pressure. More motivation.
And let’s not forget the X-factors. Ryan Day, for all the criticism he has received, remains one of the top offensive minds in college football. His game plans, particularly against elite defenses, have often been surgical. The Buckeyes’ player development pipeline continues to produce NFL-ready talent at an elite rate. And the hunger to win—after three straight losses to Michigan—is palpable.
In many ways, being ranked just outside the top three in national title odds gives Ohio State something they haven’t had in a while: the chip on their shoulder. They are used to being the hunted. In 2025, they may become the hunters.
There’s a long season ahead. Games must be played. Health must be maintained. Chemistry must be built. But if you’re looking for a team that has the talent, leadership, and experience to overcome long-standing SEC dominance, Ohio State remains firmly in the mix.
Yes, Georgia looks like a juggernaut. Yes, Alabama is reloading with frightening speed. And yes, LSU is gaining momentum. But betting odds don’t win championships—teams do. And when the dust settles in January, don’t be surprised if the Buckeyes are standing tall, reminding everyone why Columbus is still one of college football’s true power centers.
