Many months from now, when rosters are set, coaching staffs are finalized and the schedules are fully understood, the information that follows might feel different than it does now.

Of course it will.

Building a national champion is a yearlong pursuit. Just ask Ohio State, which is currently replenishing its roster and coaching staff.

Champions aren't unearthed in February. It's worth noting that Locks of the Week has successfully picked the last two national champions before the season began. We're still in victory lap mode, although it won't last long.

We're wrong about plenty, although we're right every once in a while. While that final decision won't be made for some time, it won't stop us from making some early picks with varying odds and value.

Here's a look at teams we think are worth betting to win next season's national championship as the long offseason commences.

For the latest spreads on futures and games, head to DraftKings.

Texas (+550)

The losses this team will endure are massive, especially on the offensive side. But the talent still intact is sizable, and the Longhorns might wind up with one of the best defenses in recent college football memory.

That's how good we feel about this side of the ball, and it starts with linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and star defensive end Colin Simmons. The return of safety Michael Taaffe gives Texas true difference makers at every level.

This is an elite group. There's no other way to put it.

Offensively, there's a lot to unpack. Quinn Ewers is off to the NFL, as are some of his favorite wideouts. The offensive line will also need to be rebuilt.

Still, the presence of quarterback Arch Manning, who requires no introduction, is enormous. As is wideout Ryan Wingo, who is poised for a monster season. Also, after a slew of brutal injuries to begin the year at running back, this group should be a strength moving forward.

The hysteria surrounding Manning will be intense, but this team is about so much more than the QB. Steve Sarkisian has spent years building this roster, and that building is positioned to pay off.

In terms of scheduling, Texas will travel to Ohio State, Florida and Georgia. It has its challenges to say the least, although the Longhorns should be up for it.

Oregon (+750)

While Texas is our favorite chalk, the Ducks aren't far behind.

Although the past two seasons have ended in heartbreak, it feels like the breakthrough is a matter of time. Dan Lanning has recruited incredibly well, and Oregon has put its immense resources to good use.

Winning the Big Ten in its first year in the conference was a wonderful next step. And this year, thanks to a roster still overflowing with talent, it's reasonable to expect Oregon to be in that position once again.

That potential starts at quarterback, where the Ducks will have former 5-star QB Dante Moore under center now that Dillon Gabriel has moved on. Moore, formerly of UCLA, flashed moments of brilliance as a true freshman in 2023. With more time to develop and grow, he feels like a potential superstar in the making.

While Oregon loses pieces at wideout, running back and the offensive line, this team won't lack talent. Wideout Evan Stewart is back, and there's still untapped brilliance there. The arrival of electric true freshman Dakorien Moore is also worth monitoring. (He's going to be very good.)

While the Ducks travel to Penn State, the rest of the schedule seems quite manageable on paper. As we saw this year, however, it'll take more than a favorable path to win a title.

There is still plenty of work to be done to fill in the voids on this roster, although there are players at key positions with incredible potential. This is a bet on Lanning and Moore, more than anything.

Clemson (+2000)

Let's inject some more value into the mix and move down the board a few notches.

Dabo Swinney is suddenly a different human being, using the transfer portal and modern CFB tactics to fill holes on his football team. This is very good news. Swinney, for all of his quirks, has been brilliant when it comes to talent identification and development.

Better news is the fact that quarterback Cade Klubnik is back after a breakout season along with wideouts Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr. This unit found life in 2024, and it could be even better this year.

The defense, especially in the front seven, returns both talent and experience. Linebacker Wade Woodaz along with d-linemen T.J. Parker and Peter Woods are back. The addition of Tom Allen, the team's new defensive coordinator, should also pay enormous dividends.

In terms of reaching the playoff, Clemson has a favorable path. The Tigers open against LSU in the opener, which should be both thrilling and telling. They also play South Carolina in the finale.

In between, the Tigers play an abundance of ACC teams they should beat. And if the playoff format stays the same—and it likely will for one more year—the Tigers could be in an exceptional position to earn a bye.

Don't buy what everyone says. Byes do matter. They are, in fact, something teams want.

Clemson is a fascinating team on a variety of fronts, and the Tigers seem like a solid option at 20/1.

BYU (+15000)

More than two dozen teams have lower odds to win the national championship than BYU, which would feel about right in most normal football seasons. Given the year BYU just produced, however, these odds feel tantalizing.

The Cougars lost two games last year by a combined eight points. They beat SMU (a playoff team), crushed Kansas State and ended the year with a dominant victory over Colorado. In short, this team was excellent. In fact, we probably should have taken their playoff resume more seriously.

Which brings us to this season.

The key pieces of the offense are back, starting with quarterback Jake Retzlaff. While a few offensive linemen will need to be replaced, this group has a chance to be one of the best in the country.

The defense will lose some pieces as well, although it will also return a ton of production and tackles. All told, one of the most exciting teams of the past fall will largely look as it was.

While repeating the success of last season won't be easy, the foundation is in place. And in the Big 12, with many teams hoping to recreate magical years, there is still a lot to like about this group and the odds attached.