Notre Dame–For The First Time In Two Decades–Predicted To Earn National Title Alongside Ohio State

For the first time in two decades, South Bend is the epicenter of the college football betting universe.

Notre Dame and Ohio State will open the 2026 campaign as consensus co-favorites to capture the National Championship, according to major sportsbooks. Las Vegas and online bookmakers have installed both blue-blood programs at 6-1 (+600) odds to hoist the College Football Playoff trophy.

The designation marks a historic shift for the Fighting Irish, who have not held the top spot on preseason national championship oddsboards since 2006. For the Buckeyes, it represents familiar territory, marking the second consecutive season they have opened as the team to beat.

High Stakes and Heavy Handles

Oddsmakers are already feeling the heat from a relentless wave of public support.

According to data released by BetMGM, the Fighting Irish represent the sportsbook’s largest liability in the national title market. A staggering 18.5% of all championship futures tickets have been written on Notre Dame, easily outpacing the rest of the field.

The high expectations are backed by a roster built for a deep January run. Bookmakers have set Notre Dame’s regular-season win total at an institutional 11.5, pricing the Irish as a heavy -800 favorite simply to make the expanded 12-team playoff field.

Star Power Drives the Board

The dead-heat at the top is fueled by two of the country’s most explosive offenses, both led by elite young quarterbacks.

The South Bend Prodigy: Irish quarterback CJ Carr enters the autumn as the standalone individual favorite to win the Heisman Trophy at 7-1 odds.

The Columbus Juggernaut: Ohio State, which claimed the No. 1 spot in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, counters with a roster overflowing with Sunday talent. The Buckeyes’ attack is spearheaded by their own Heisman contender, quarterback Julian Sayin, alongside dynamic All-American wideout Jeremiah Smith.

While Texas (+650) and Oregon (+750) sit within striking distance, the narrative of the young season belongs strictly to the midwestern titans.