2025 Penn State CFP championship odds, odds to win the Big Ten and futures bets to make now

2025 Penn State CFP championship odds, odds to win the Big Ten and futures bets to make now
Updated: Mar. 14, 2025, 2:14 p.m.|Published: Mar. 14, 2025, 2:13 p.m.
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar looks to pass the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar looks to pass the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Minneapolis.AP
By Matt Boecker | Advance Local
Penn State finally broke through last season, advancing all the way to the College Football Playoff semifinal. If it wasn’t for a late-game interception by Drew Allar, we may be talking about the Nittany Lions’ performance in the national championship.

But that’s in the past, and the future looks extremely bright for head coach James Franklin. Stars like Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren have left to play on Sundays, but PSU ranks 30th nationally in returning production, per ESPN.

Caesars +650
The best Pennsylvania sportsbooks list the Nittany Lions among the teams with the shortest odds to win the national championship. Let’s take a closer look at the odds and a few other Penn State futures markets you can bet on now.

Most sportsbooks give Penn State the fifth-best national championship odds. At BetMGM, the Nittany Lions trails Ohio State (+500), Texas (+550), Georgia (+650) and Oregon (+750).

According to SportsOddsHistory.com, the Nittany Lions’ preseason national championship odds haven’t been this short in more than 24 years. The closest was 2023, when Penn State was +1500 before the season kicked off.

The expectations for next year were bound to be high after barely falling short of the national championship. PSU and Notre Dame were tied with under a minute left in the fourth quarter of the CFP semifinal. The Nittany Lions started a drive deep in their own territory, and an interception from Allar set up a game-winning field goal for the Fighting Irish.

A few key players are leaving Happy Valley, but much of the offensive firepower is returning in 2025. This includes Allar, who is fresh off a career year.

Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen are also back after combining for 2,735 all-purpose yards and 27 total touchdowns. The best RB duo in the nation will benefit from running behind an offensive line that brings back four starters.

Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant promise to have dominant seasons along the defensive line, but Penn State only returns 53% of its defensive production. Franklin hopes the hiring of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will mitigate the losses.

Knowles played a huge role in Ohio State’s national championship victory, guiding the defense to the fewest total yards and points allowed per game in FBS. Knowles’ new contract with the Nittany Lions made him the highest-paid DC in college football.

Penn State starts the regular season with three easy non-conference matchups, and the national championship odds may not grow until midway through the year. It’s hard to believe the odds will shift drastically before Week 1, making now an ideal time to jump on Penn State’s +900 odds at BetMGM or bet365.
Penn State odds to win the Big Ten championship (+360 at FanDuel)
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook:Team
Iowa +5000
The Big Ten Championship odds at FanDuel indicate a four-team race between Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, and Michigan. Each program has odds ranging from +185 to +800, while the rest of the conference has long-shot odds of +2500 or greater.
The Nittany Lions had an unexpected shot at the Big Ten title last year when an upset loss to Michigan knocked Ohio State out of contention in the final week of the regular season.

Penn State made the trip to Indianapolis but lost a 45-37 shootout to Oregon. It was Franklin’s first Big Ten Championship appearance since earning the conference crown in 2016.

Getting back there will rely greatly on how the Nittany Lions fare in the two toughest games of the season. The first is a Week 5 matchup against Oregon at Beaver Stadium. Penn State has a scheduling advantage thanks to a bye the week before the game, while the Ducks are coming off a rivalry showdown with Oregon State.

The next big matchup comes on the road in Week 10 versus Ohio State. The Nittany Lions have lost eight straight against the Buckeyes, and last won in Columbus in 2011. Luckily, Penn State also has a bye before the clash with OSU.

Tie-breakers could come into play at the end of the year if there’s a log jam at the top of the conference standings, and having a leg up on the Ducks and Buckeyes would be huge for the Nittany Lions.

operator logo
$10 Bonus on Your First Deposit
get bonus
At SportsMillions.com it is ALWAYS FREE to enter or win our games. No Purchase Necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Not available in AL, CT, DE, ID, LA, MI, MT, MS, NV, WA. Must be 18 or older. Terms of Service apply.

Penn State win total over-under odds (10.5 at DraftKings)
Sportsbook Win total Over Under
BetMGM 10.5 +130 odds -165 odds
FanDuel 10.5 +134 odds -164 odds
DraftKings 10.5 +120 odds -150 odds
bet365 10.5 +130 odds -160 odds
It’s important to note that college football win total markets only include regular season games. Victories in conference championships, bowl games, or the CFP don’t count toward the total.

Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State are the only teams in the Big Ten with win totals set at 10.5. However, each betting site gives the Nittany Lions plus odds for the over, meaning sportsbooks expect a 10-win season in Happy Valley.

Penn State won 11 regular-season games last season, and hitting that number again in 2025 would be another sign of things moving in the right direction under Franklin. To get there, a win over Oregon or Ohio State is a must. Dropping both games would put the Nittany Lions at a maximum of 10 wins.

Penn State has an easy non-conference schedule that includes Nevada, FIU, and Villanova. Besides the Ducks and Buckeyes, the other tough Big Ten matchups are at Iowa and home versus Indiana. Penn State’s other five conference games are against teams that went below .500 in Big Ten play last year.

There’s a potential trap spot in Week 6 when Franklin’s squad goes across the country to face UCLA the week after playing Oregon. Luckily, that’s the only West Coast trip of the year.

Reaching 11 wins is a tall order, and Penn State can barely afford to trip up for the over to have any shot of hitting.

Get the latest sports betting news, advice and promos sent straight to your inbox. Enter your email here:

More stories on Sports Betting
Penn Entertainment’s gamble on ESPN isn’t going as hoped
Here are our favorite Oneil Cruz futures bets to make ahead of Opening Day 2025
Aaron Rodgers next team odds off the board ahead of “start” of NFL free agency
If you have a gambling problem and are located in Pennsylvania, call 1-800-GAMBLER or contact the 24-hour helpline chat at https://www.pacouncil.com/chatline.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.