2021 College Football National Championship Odds: Alabama The Heavy Favorites

After a few years of Clemson and Alabama playing, we saw LSU knock off the former champs. It came at the hands of Joe Burrow and an extremely talented LSU roster. Most of them are moving along to the NFL, so it will be tough for them to get back to a National Championship. We are looking at mostly familiar names who have been in contention over the last few years. The Clemson Tigers coming in as the strongest favorites makes the utmost sense with a lot of returning players including Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne.

Alabama The Front Runners (-143)

Clemson Next In Line (+200)

With Trevor Lawrence returning and their stud running back Travis Etienne, the offense is going to be loaded again. They will miss a few wideouts like Tee Higgins, and also Isaiah Simmons on the defensive side will be missed, but Clemson has posted top ten recruiting classes in three straight years, and in 2020 they are headed for a top three season. Out of the top ten recruits, three of them are going to Clemson. Justyn Ross is going to make an impact with Higgins heading to the NFL. The secondary will need some new fill-in options, but they have been producing strong secondaries year in and year out. Clemson took a knock because their division was so bad, and the ACC doesn’t project to be much better. They will go on the road against Notre Dame, which have been closer games over the last few meetings, but that is the only “tough” game on their schedule.

Ohio State (+400) & Notre Dame (+700)

Both teams will have a lot to replace, but similar to Clemson these teams are at the top of recruiting classes year in and year out. The positive for the Buckeyes is that they have Justin Fields returning, while Alabama will have to replace Tua Tagovailoa, and three of their wide receivers. They are also losing five defensive starters to the NFL Draft. The odds are showing very little concern for a hiccup of missing the National Championship, as they are consistently in the picture. The Buckeyes are a solid value at +400 to make it this early. The value will go down as the season goes on, especially with them dominating the Big Ten. While Clemson is in the best shape for the National Championship, the Buckeyes are certainly the next team to beat. Alabama is going to push the table again, but I still find Ohio State and Clemson to be in better shape. Of course seeding would change the odds significantly, but we are a ways away from that.