Not only is there an expectation that Notre Dame is one of the best teams in the country, but they're also now the sole odds-on favorite to win the CFP Title in 2026.
It's obviously still very early yet, but according to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Irish have surged into the lead to win the whole thing based on the odds. This is a change from just two weeks ago, when they were tied with Ohio State as the favorites to win the whole thing.
FanDuel SportsBook has Notre Dame as a 6.5-to-1 favorite to win the National Title. That's slightly better than the 7-to-1 favorites they were in early January. Right behind them is the Ohio State Buckeyes, who still sit with those 7-to-1 odds.
Notre Dame is now the sole favorite in 2026 CFP national title odds
The Buckeyes are tied for second in chances to win the natty with Indiana and Texas. Those odds also show that two of the top four teams expected to win the title in 2026 didn't even make the playoffs in 2025.
After that top group of four, there's some serious separation in the odds. Oregon is at 9.5-to-1 to win the whole thing, while Georgia is sixth at 11-to-1.
The Irish have a lot of talent coming back, including starting quarterback CJ Carr. They've also added plenty of talent through high school and Transfer Portal recruiting.
Notre Dame is a National Title contender, as they have been the last two years. There's a growing consensus, even among Las Vegas oddsmakers, that they need to be considered the favorite to win their first since 1988.