With the College Football Playoff kicking off in earnest on Friday night when the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners host the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide in an SEC rematch in Norman, everybody is trying to figure out who can realistically win the whole thing. Of the teams who have more than a puncher's chance, the Indiana Hoosiers have to be on the shortlist. They are the only undefeated team left...
However, the latest betting odds are still not giving Curt Cignetti's team the best chance in the field.
These were the betting odds on FanDuel Sportsbook from only a week ago back on Dec. 9, 2025.
- Ohio State Buckeyes: +220
- Indiana Hoosiers: +290
- Georgia Bulldogs: +550
- Oregon Ducks: +750
- Texas Tech Red Raiders: +900
- Texas A&M Aggies: +1700
- Alabama Crimson Tide: +2200
- Miami Hurricanes: +2200
- Ole Miss Rebels: +2200
- Oklahoma Sooners: +4500
- James Madison Dukes: +70000
- Tulane Green Wave: +75000
Now look at them... The changes heading into the week of the first-round games are ... something.
- Ohio State Buckeyes: +190
- Indiana Hoosiers: +320
- Georgia Bulldogs: +600
- Oregon Ducks: +800
- Texas Tech Red Raiders: +850
- Texas A&M Aggies: +1900
- Ole Miss Rebels: +2200
- Alabama Crimson Tide: +2500
- Miami Hurricanes: +2500
- Oklahoma Sooners: +5000
- Tulane Green Wave: +75000
- James Madison Dukes: +75000
Indiana is one of eight teams whose odds have gotten worse. Granted, Indiana's odds only dropped 30 points from +290 to +320, but that is not, the point... Just look at the team ahead of them getting even more benefit of the doubt in the Ohio State Buckeyes. Their odds improved from +220 to +190. The only other team with improved odds was Texas Tech at +850. Tulane and Ole Miss are the same.
Let's unpack what these latest movement of betting odds actually mean for Indiana's title aspirations.
Indiana keeps getting dinged by the betting public over national title odds
Where things stand now, the three teams with the best odds of winning all are Ohio State at +190, Indiana at +320, and Georgia at +600. Oregon and Texas Tech are the only other teams with better than +1000 odds of winning this year's college football playoff. While some may argue the winner of the presumptive Fiesta Bowl between Ohio State and Georgia will win it all, Indiana is not in that game.
Indiana plays on the far more navigable side of the bracket, as the Hoosiers will not have to play Ohio State and Georgia to win this year's national championship, potentially only one of them should they meet in the Fiesta Bowl. The Hoosiers' side of the bracket features No. 4 Texas Tech, No. 5 Oregon, No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 9 Alabama, and No. 12 James Madison. Only Texas Tech and Oregon are threats.
What the oddsmakers are suggesting that is Ohio State were to play the Hoosiers in a rematch they will win. While it does seem that they like Georgia quite a bit on the other side of the bracket, the latest odds docking seemingly everyone but Ohio State and Texas Tech is a bit rich. Why are Georgia's odds being dinged, in addition to Indiana's? The same applies to Oregon as well in all this.
In the end, the betting public seems to be dubious of the team to come out of Indiana's side of the bracket will be as battle-tested as the one who survives Ohio State's. Although these are the three teams that are the far most likely to win a national championship, the Ohio State love is getting out of control. Georgia is far more battle-tested, as is Indiana. It is why those teams may play for it in Miami.
For now, Indiana fans will need to pay close attention to what happens in Norman this Friday evening.