A look at the Florida Gators' national championship, CFP odds & more

As the start of preseason practice nears in Gainesville, the Florida Gators are getting attention as a dark horse to challenge for the SEC title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. As for a national championship, a sampling of preseason odds have the Gators currently listed with odds ranging from +2800 to +4500 for the 2025-26 college football season based on a sampling of five outlets.

That places UF in the second or third tier of championship contenders, consistently behind teams such as Texas, Ohio State, Georgia and Penn State. These odds indicate that while the Gators are considered potential contenders, they are not among the leading favorites. ESPN’s Bill Connelly this week described Florida as a “four-if team,” meaning UF would need several factors to align for a championship run.

When analyzing UF’s title hopes, four factors consistently emerge:

—The healthy and development of quarterback DJ Lagway: The sophomore is a key factor and if 100 percent physically has a chance to elevate the UF offense to great heights.

—A veteran and talented offensive line: Once considered a weakness, this now is a strength of the team and the catalyst behind what has the potential to be among the most balanced and dangerous offenses in the country.

—The schedule is again ultra-tough: The Florida Gators face one of the most difficult slates in the country, including matchups against LSU, Miami, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and Georgia. Most of the hardest games are away from home.

—Defensive concerns: While improved in 2024, the UF defense still was not among the top half of the SEC. Many of the key players return, but more big plays and consistency is needed. Depth on the defensive line and secondary are possible concerns.

Last week, UF was picked the place sixth in the SEC by reporters at SEC Media Days. A year ago, the Gators were projected to finish 12th. They ended the season 8-5 overall, 4-4 in the SEC. Meanwhile, a strong number of Gators (eight in total) were preseason All-SEC picks for 2025, a sign the roster is getting respect.

With a jump of two or three wins in the regular season, the Florida Gators could find themselves in the College Football Playoff and contending for the program’s first national championship since 2008

Here are some of the most current championship odds for UF:

ESPN BET College Football Futures

1. Ohio State +550
2. Texas +550
3. Penn State +650
4. Georgia +800
5. Clemson +900
t6. Notre Dame +1100
t6. Alabama +1100
t6. Oregon +1100
9. LSU +1800
10. Michigan +3000
t11. Florida +4000
t11. Ole Miss +4000
t11. Texas A&M +4000
t11. Miami +4000
35. FSU +30000

FanDuel

1. Texas +550
2. Ohio State +600
3. Georgia +650
4. Penn State +750
5. Oregon +1000
6. Alabama +1100
7. Clemson +1200
8. Notre Dame +1400
9. LSU +1700
10. Florida +3300
11. Texas A&M +3500
13. Miami +4000
41. FSU +50000

Bet365

1. Texas +450
2. Ohio State +500
3. Georgia +700
t4. Oregon +800
t4. Penn State +800
t6. Alabama +1200
t6. Clemson +1200
8. Notre Dame +1400
9. LSU +1800
10. Ole Miss +2500
11. Michigan +2800
t12. Tennessee +3000
t12. Miami +3000
14. Texas A&M +3500
t15. Florida +4000
t15. South Carolina +4000
23. FSU +10000

BetMGM

1. Texas +500
2. Ohio State +525
t3. Georgia +700
t3. Penn State +700
t5. Clemson +900
t5. Oregon +900
t7. Alabama +1200
t7. Notre Dame +1200
9. LSU +1500
t10. Michigan +2500
t10 Ole Miss +2500
12. Florida +2800
t13 Miami +3000
t13. Texas A&M +3000
FSU +10000

Fox Sports

1. Ohio State +500
2. Texas +550
3. Georgia +700
4. Penn State +750
5. Clemson +1000
t6. Alabama +1100
t6. Oregon +1100
8. Notre Dame +1200
9. LSU +1800
10. Michigan +2500
t11. Florida +4000
t11. Miami +4000

Now, here are some of UF’s other odds from FanDuel….

—MAKE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF: Yes (+340); No (-470)
—WIN THE SEC: +1600 (Texas is the favorite, +280)
—10 OR MORE REGULAR-SEASON WINS: +440
—UNDEFEATED REGULAR SEASON: +4100
—HEISMAN TROPHY FOR DJ LAGWAY: +2000