The Film Guy: Best College Football National Title Picks & Predictions for 2026-27

Alright, ladies and gentlemen.

We’ve got college football national championship futures odds to get into, all courtesy of our friends at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook.

Here’s how we’re going to do it: we’re going to tell you some things that we like, and then we’re ultimately going to settle on one National Championship selection each that we really love.

Let’s get into it.

Alabama Crimson Tide (+2500)

I think Alabama at +2500 is a really good price. It’s very enticing because of what we saw with the Keelon Russell breakdown. I think this kid could be electric. We know the defense is going to be really good this year, with one of the best edge rushers in the country and arguably one of the best defensive back rooms in the nation as well.

Can they run the ball? Can they protect the quarterback? Those are questions that I have.

Russell’s playmaking is really going to change things for them. Not that Austin Mack isn’t capable of making some big plays by himself, but Russell certainly adds a whole other wrinkle to that. We saw what Alabama and Kalen DeBoer were able to accomplish with a quarterback who provides some playmaking ability in the backfield, and that was when they were at their best with Jalen Milroe.

It’s going to depend a lot on whether you can get more consistency out of the offense. I don’t think Russell has to play nearly as well as Ty Simpson did, especially in those first six weeks of the season. But if Russell doesn’t do that, does your running game play better? Is your protection better? I think the defense is going to handle itself. It’s been really consistent for the last few years there, so I’m anticipating it being that again this year for Alabama.

Kirby’s Pick: Texas Longhorns (+700)

Kirby went with the Texas Longhorns at +700. Texas is a team that is most likely going to be, at the very least, in the College Football Playoff. They have one of the most talented rosters in college football. We’ve all agreed on that.

These types of projections and bets are really tough to make. That’s why the odds are so high, even for the favorites. So much can happen in these next 13 to 14 weeks.

But right now, for as talented as Texas is, that’s the pick. It’s about buying in on the sheer talent right now and trusting them to put it together in January.

My ‘Do Not Touch’ Teams: Texas and Ohio State

Texas was one of my two ‘do not touches’, with the other being Ohio State. Are we 100% sure they’re going to survive the regular season schedule? That Big Ten or SEC schedule could easily bang you up. It could easily knock out a couple of starters, and then come January, we’re not what we thought we were going to be from a health and safety standpoint.

I know Texas and Ohio State certainly have enough talent to make it to a national title game and win it all. I have far more questions about Steve Sarkisian – I trust Ryan Day. I think Ryan Day is a top three coach in college football. There’s no doubt about that. I just don’t like them at those odds.

Jonathan’s Pick: Miami Hurricanes (+1100)

The best value on the board in Jonathan’s opinion was the Miami Hurricanes at +1100. He picked this team in his playoff bracket to ultimately win the national title.

Miami has a very survivable regular season schedule, just like Notre Dame. The game for them is against Notre Dame. If they can win that one, they’ll be in great shape. Some think they have a more talented offense than they did last year. The weapons, the quarterback and the running back – they’re set there.

The offensive line is a little bit of a question, but not really, because Coach Mirabal has those boys alright every single time. Defensively, they’re sound. If you want to find value with national title odds, Miami at +1100 is tremendous value.

Brooks’ Pick: Oklahoma Sooners (+3000)

I think I’ve got the juice. It’s Oklahoma at +3000.

I think they are, defensively, a national championship-caliber football team. There’s no doubt in my mind about that.

There are also things happening in camp that make me think there will be some change around the program offensively. I don’t think they’re going to be as much of a fun-and-gun Air Raid offense as they were a couple of years ago, or at least last year. Also, Jason Witten’s addition to that coaching staff might have changed some of the things that they’re doing offensively.

It makes me believe that they’re going to be a lot more efficient. They might protect the football a little bit more, which was a major concern. Last year, they put their defense in bad spots, particularly in the playoff game. I think if they don’t throw that pick six, they might win the damn thing against Alabama with a quarterback without a thumb.

If they can keep John Mateer healthy, +3000 odds look really, really good.

Our Official National Championship Futures

• Kirby: Texas Longhorns (+700)
• Jonathan: Miami Hurricanes (+1100)
• Brooks: Oklahoma Sooners (+3000)