College Football Playoff Chances: Notre Dame and Clemson’s Path
The 2025 college football season is off to an electrifying start. Dramatic upsets and wild victories are already shaking up the landscape.
Teams are battling it out on the gridiron, and the race for the national title feels wide open. Let’s take a look at the latest odds and performances from top contenders like Ohio State, Georgia, Penn State, Texas, Oregon, and LSU. We’ll also check in on the challenging roads ahead for Clemson and Notre Dame as they try to claw their way back into College Football Playoff (CFP) contention.
The season’s still young, but the stakes are already sky-high for these powerhouse programs. Anything can happen from here.
Top Contenders for the National Title
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Three weeks in, a few teams have already separated themselves from the pack. BetMGM has Ohio State leading with odds of +550.
The Buckeyes started off a bit shaky against Ohio. Still, they pulled out the win and showed why folks keep them at the top of their lists.
Ohio State: The Front-Runner
Ohio State’s start has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Their roster depth and sheer talent keep them in the national title conversation, though.
They’ve managed to overcome early-game struggles and finish strong. That says a lot about their resilience and coaching staff.
Georgia and Penn State: Close on Their Heels
Georgia and Penn State aren’t far behind, both sitting at +600 odds. Georgia’s overtime win against Tennessee showed off their grit.
Penn State, meanwhile, looked dominant against Villanova. Their offense and defense both clicked, and that’s got fans buzzing.
Other Strong Contenders
Texas, Oregon, and LSU are still in the mix. Each team brings its own set of strengths and questions.
Texas has odds of +700. They’ve shown flashes of potential, but quarterback Arch Manning’s struggles haven’t helped.
Oregon shares those +700 odds and hasn’t really been tested yet. LSU sits at +1000, thanks in part to a wild five-interception game from Florida’s quarterback D.J. Lagway that helped them snag a key win.
Texas: The Manning Conundrum
All eyes are on Arch Manning as the Longhorns try to cement their spot among the elite. He’s had a rough patch—ten straight incompletions and a pick against UTEP have folks worrying about Texas’ offense.
Oregon: Awaiting a Real Challenge
Oregon’s breezed past Oklahoma State and Northwestern. But let’s be honest, the real test is coming up against in-state rival Oregon State.
The Ducks are favored by five touchdowns in that matchup. Still, you never really know until they face a real threat.
LSU: Capitalizing on Opportunities
LSU took full advantage of Florida’s quarterback meltdown. That win kept them in the national title hunt, but they’ll need to keep that momentum going.
The Rocky Roads for Clemson and Notre Dame
Clemson and Notre Dame started the season in the top 10 and made last year’s CFP. Now, with two losses each, they’re facing long odds and even longer roads back.
Clemson: A Long Shot
Clemson’s CFP odds are at +500, which is about a 1-in-6 shot. They’re unranked and already 0-1 in ACC play, making the path to the ACC Championship—and the CFP—pretty daunting.
Season-opening losses to LSU and then a last-second heartbreaker against Georgia Tech have put them in a tough spot. If they want any shot at the CFP, they basically have to win out and take the ACC title.
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Upcoming games against No. 7 Florida State and Louisville will be absolutely critical. It’s a tall order, but stranger things have happened.
Notre Dame: A Tough Climb
Notre Dame’s odds look a bit better at +230, which gives them about a 30 percent chance. Even so, starting 0-2 isn’t ideal.
The good news? Their schedule gets a bit easier, with only one ranked opponent left—USC. If the Irish win out and finish 10-2, they might just have a shot at impressing the selection committee.
The losses to Miami and Texas A&M were tough to swallow. Most of their remaining opponents have already dropped a game, except for USC, North Carolina State, and Navy.
Notre Dame needs to take care of business and hope a few breaks go their way. That’s college football for you—never predictable, always dramatic.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
The 2025 college football season keeps heating up. Ohio State, Georgia, and Penn State look like the favorites right now.
But Texas, Oregon, and LSU are definitely in the mix. Clemson and Notre Dame have some real hurdles, though—will they find a way into the CFP?
If you’re a fan or just following along, these next few weeks matter a ton. Every game could shake up the whole race for the national title.
For more details and the latest odds, check out the full article on The New York Times.