Top 3 College Football Futures to Bet Now (2026)
When it comes to college football futures, there are two kinds I like to make before the season gets underway:
- Longshots
- Clear-cut favorites
Bet the right longshot, and you'll enjoy a massive payout at the end of the season. As for favorites, their odds will probably never be longer (and the potential payout bigger) than they are now.
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College Football Futures Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
After careful consideration, I recommend the following college football futures bets.
Heisman Trophy Winner
- Marcel Reed (QB – Texas A&M) | +3000
Quarterbacks always have a leg up on the competition in the Heisman Trophy race, especially the dual-threat variety, which Marcel Reed has proven he is. But the offense was inconsistent last season and stalled out in big games (i.e., Texas, Miami). There will be some growing pains, as Texas A&M has many starters to replace. But the Aggies under Mike Elko have been excellent recruiters.
If their recruits can live up to the hype and Reed progresses as a playmaker and leader, it would not be shocking to see him in the Heisman Trophy conversation at the end of the season.
Honorable Mentions:
- LaNorris Sellers (QB – South Carolina) | +4000
- Demond Williams Jr. (QB – Washington) | +5500
- Arch Manning (QB – Texas) | +800 (his odds will never be longer)
Miss the College Football Playoff
- Notre Dame | +490
Notre Dame is a solid team that will likely be in the conversation for most of the year, but they hurt their playoff chances by being an independent. They have a lot of starters returning (15), which should help them get up to speed sooner rather than later, but their schedule isn’t tough. They lack opportunities to build a College Football Playoff (CFP)-worthy resume.
A conference title game would give them one more resume game other than the Miami game. With this schedule, if they are not undefeated, they will be nowhere near the conversation. Even then, they'll need to blow out most of their schedule, and I don't see them not faltering at least once.
Honorable Mentions:
Win the Big 12
With the players Texas Tech has coming back on defense, the Red Raiders are going to be tough to beat, but they have a lot of starters to replace (11 total between offense and defense). Because of the roster turnover, I can't accept them as heavy favorites at this time.
BYU has its share of talent to replace as well (11 starters), but it has quarterback Bear Bachmeier returning along with running back LJ Martin. If Bachmeier can build off last season's success, he might even become a Heisman Trophy dark horse candidate. As for Houston, they went from four wins in 2025 to 10 last season and have six starters returning on both sides of the ball. Conner Weigman is one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the conference.
Should Weigman pick up where he left off, Houston will be in the conversation to win the Big 12. With a relatively easy schedule other than an early game versus Texas Tech, they could still make the title game even with a loss to the Red Raiders.