The college football campaign comes to a close on Monday night when the Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish meet to decide the winner of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The national championship MVP odds analyze Ohio State and Notre Dame players on both sides of the ball and break down their chances of winning the respective awards. Our best college football betting sites list the Buckeyes as 8.5-point favorites, so players donning the Scarlet and Gray generally have shorter odds.

Our Ohio State vs. Notre Dame early picks predict the winner of the national championship. Which of these players will help elevate their side to a national title?

2025 CFP National Championship Offensive MVP odds

CFP National Championship Offensive MVP odds via DraftKings from Jan. 14.

• Will Howard, QB, Ohio State: +100
• Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State: +350
• Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame: +400
• TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State: +1200
• Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State: +1600
• Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame: +1600
• Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State: +1800
• Jordan Faison, WR, Notre Dame: +4000
• Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame: +4000
• Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State: +5000
• Gee Scott Jr., TE, Ohio State: +7500
• Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame: +8000
• Jaden Greathouse, WR, Notre Dame: +8000
• Beaux Collins, WR, Notre Dame: +10000
• Aneyas Williams, RB, Notre Dame: +10000
• Steve Angeli, QB, Notre Dame: +15000
• Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State: +15000

2025 CFP National Championship Offensive MVP favorites

Will Howard MVP odds: +100

Best odds:  | Implied probability: 50%

Howard has been sensational throughout the College Football Playoff, throwing for 919 yards and six touchdowns in three games.

Quarterbacks have won six of 10 offensive MVP awards since the accolade began being given out in 2015, so Howard is the rightful favorite. DraftKings lists the senior at even money to become the first signal-caller to win the honor since Georgia's Stetson Bennett in 2023.

Jeremiah Smith MVP odds: +350

Best odds: +350 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 22.22%

Smith was limited to just one catch against Texas. He racked up 290 yards and four touchdowns in the two games prior, which explains why the Longhorns prioritized keeping the true freshman quiet.

Only one wide receiver has ever won offensive MVP in the national championship (DeVonta Smith in 2020). However, Smith possesses the explosive play-making ability to add his name to that list against a stubborn Notre Dame secondary. The receiver's +350 odds at our best sports betting sites carry an implied probability of 22.22%.

Riley Leonard MVP odds: +400

Best odds: +400 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 20%

Desmond Howard noted at halftime of the Orange Bowl that Notre Dame didn't have many playmakers on offense. While their skill positions lack explosive depth - especially in comparison to Ohio State - the Fighting Irish do have game-changers in their ranks. Leonard is atop that list.

Notre Dame's quarterback has elevated the team past some of the nation's top defenses in recent weeks. His +400 odds to win offensive MVP are the best among Fighting Irish players, and rightly so.

Our CFP National Championship Offensive MVP to watch

Jeremiyah Love MVP odds: +1600

Best odds: +1600 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 5.88%

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my favorite long shot on the board. Whether he's hurdling players in the backfield, busting through multiple tackles to reach the end zone, or breaking off 98-yard touchdown runs, Love has demanded attention throughout the College Football Playoff.

Injuries limited Love to just six carries against Georgia, but he was back to his best in the win over Penn State. Love's found the end zone in every game this season aside from the Sugar Bowl. As such, he's worth a flier at +1600, given he's almost guaranteed to have a significant impact on the result for his side.

2025 CFP National Championship Defensive MVP odds

CFP National Championship Defensive MVP odds via DraftKings from Jan. 14.

• Jack Sawyer, DE, Ohio State: +180
• Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State: +300
• JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State: +750
• Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State: +900
• Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame: +900
• Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame: +1200
• Sonny Styles, S, Ohio State: +2000
• Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State: +3000
• Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio State: +3000
• Jermaine Mathews Jr., CB, Ohio State: +3000
• Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State: +3000
• Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State: +3000
• Adon Shuler, S, Notre Dame: +3500
• Christian Gray, CB, Notre Dame: +4500
• Drayk Bowen, LB, Notre Dame: +5000
• RJ Oben, DL, Notre Dame: +5000
• Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB, Notre Dame: +5000
• Bryce Young, DL, Notre Dame: +5000
• Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame: +7500
• Howard Cross III, DL, Notre Dame: +10000
• Gabriel Rubio, DL, Notre Dame: +10000

Jack Sawyer MVP odds: +180

Best odds: +180 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 35.71%

Sawyer was always going to be the defensive MVP favorite after his game-sealing scoop-and-score against Texas.

The Ohio native has 4.5 sacks in the College Football Playoff to go with his signature play. The pass rusher will have his hands full on Monday with Leonard's mobility. A $10 winning wager on Sawyer to win defensive MVP would return $18 in profits at our best sportsbooks.

If the senior takes home the award, he will become the first defensive end to do so. It's been historically dominated by defensive backs, who've won at the same frequency as quarterbacks on the offensive side. Thus, Caleb Downs (+300) and Xavier Watts (+900) are also worth looks. 

College football national championship odds 2025

How to watch Notre Dame vs. Ohio State: CFP national championship

• When: Monday, Jan. 20
• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
• How to watch: ESPN/ESPN+
• Weather: Indoors
• Favorite: Ohio State -8.5 (-110 via BetMGM)

College football odds pages

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