The 2026 college football season is entering its most exciting stretch, with the race for the Heisman Trophy and the battle for the national championship beginning to take shape.
Stars such as Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Miami quarterback Darian Mensah and Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr are looking to strengthen their cases for college football’s most prestigious individual honor, while powerhouse programs like Ohio State, Georgia, Miami and Notre Dame have their sights set on a national title.
With the College Football Playoff picture still developing and plenty of high-stakes games remaining, a few defining performances could reshape both races. Here are our predictions for the 2026 Heisman Trophy winner and the team that will capture the national championship.
Prediction markets are a growing medium for sports fans to get even more invested in the action. Instead of betting against a bookmaker who’s already tilted the odds in favor of the house, prediction markets involve users creating their own markets via a two-digit probability that represents the likelihood of an event happening.
Now is the perfect time for sports fans to use prediction markets. New users can get started with the TSN promo code for a $75 prediction bonus on ProphetX. The Sporting News shares which prediction markets are best to use for the NCAA Football, including the best offers, picks and information about each platform.
MORE: A complete guide for using ProphetX
Best NCAA Football prediction market apps
| Platform | Fee structure | When you’re charged | Losing trade |
| ProphetX | Commission on net profits | Market settlement (only for winning payouts) | Stake only (no fee) |
| Kalshi | Price-weighted formula | Order execution (upfront when order is matched) | Stake + upfront fee |
| Polymarket | Maker-taker tiering | Order execution (upfront on entry/exit) | Stake + upfront fee |
| OG.com | Spread-based | Order execution (included in buy/sell price) | Stake + upfront drag |
How to trade NCAA Football futures on prediction markets
Trading on NCAA Football Futures is a simple process for users to take part in. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to trade in on the action:
- (if applicable) Create a prediction market account: Users must choose which prediction market to create an account with.
- (if applicable) Verify your account and deposit: Once users set up their account with verification details and deposit funds, they can move on to making a prediction.
- Find the NCAA Football Futures section: This location varies across the market, but this can usually be found on the top or side navigation bar.
- Locate a desirable game and market: Now that you’ve made it to the NCAA Football Futures tab, you’ll be presented with games that can be predicted on. Click on a matchup and find a market. Good luck!
When should you trade NCAA Football futures?
- Before the regular season: Futures odds are often at their longest, making this a good time to target players for the Heisman that you believe are undervalued before the season begins.
- After the first month: By this point there’s a larger sample of games to evaluate.
- Around the midseason point: This can be a strong window to reassess Heisman Trophy favorites using their records, performance and remaining schedule.
- As the playoff picture takes shape: As the selection shows start to come out, teams with strong records and favorable paths to the postseason may become more attractive for specific players.
- After Rivalry Week: This is the last major regular-season game where Heisman moments are cemented.
MORE: Which prediction markets are best for sports?
NCAA Football futures markets on ProphetX
ProphetX has a selection of available markets for NCAA Football Futures. As a reminder for those used to sports betting, ProphetX displays market percentages instead of betting odds. The percentages reflect the collective implied probability of an event. Meanwhile, betting odds are set by the house to bake in a profit margin.
Here’s an outline of some markets users can predict on:
- National Champion 2026/27 · CFP National Champion
MORE: Everything to know about the ProphetX promo code
NCAA Football National Champion value picks on ProphetX
The Bulldogs have the talent, coaching, and balance on both sides of the ball to make another deep College Football Playoff run. Kirby Smart’s team has been among the country’s most consistent programs, with a top-15 offense and defense, plus the depth to navigate a difficult SEC schedule.
Quarterback Gunner Stockton provides Georgia with an experienced leader on offense, while the Bulldogs’ defensive physicality and ability to compete in close games make them a dangerous postseason opponent. Georgia has already proven it can beat elite competition, including Alabama, and its championship pedigree makes it a compelling pick to finish the season on top.
MORE: Promo code TSN gets you $75 in investment funds when you trade $50 on ProphetX
Quarterback Darian Mensah has emerged as a difference-maker, while wide receiver Malachi Toney gives Miami a dynamic playmaker capable of taking over games. The duo was spectacular in a 52-23 win over Pittsburgh, with Mensah throwing for 387 yards and four touchdowns and Toney recording 194 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
At 7-0, Miami has established itself as one of the nation’s top teams, and its offensive firepower gives the Hurricanes the potential to beat elite opponents in the College Football Playoff. If the defense continues to make key stops and the offense maintains its current form, Miami has a legitimate chance to end its national championship drought and bring another title to Coral Gables.
NCAA Football markets on Kalshi
- College Football National Championship Winner
- College Football Playoff Qualifiers
- Conference to Win the National Championship
- College Football Teams to Qualify for a Bowl Game
- College Football Undefeated Regular Season
- College Football National Championship Qualifiers
- College Football Playoff Semifinals Qualifiers
- College Football Playoff: Top 4 Seeds… and more
MORE: Complete guide to using Kalshi
NCAA Football futures markets on OG.com
OG.com also has a solid list of markets for users to make predictions on. Here’s what platform users can decide on for NCAA Football futures:
- NCAA Football National Champion 2026-27
- Heisman Trophy Winner 2026-27
- Conference Champions 2026-27
- College Football Undefeated Regular Season
- College Football National Championship Qualifiers
- College Football Playoff Qualifiers…and more
MORE: New users on OG.com can trade $10 to get $10 using code TSN25
NCAA Football National Champion value picks on OG.com
The Buckeyes have the roster depth, defensive talent, and championship pedigree to make another deep College Football Playoff run. However, quarterback Julian Sayin’s injury is a significant concern, as he is out indefinitely and could miss the rest of the season.
Still, Ohio State can look to its own history for inspiration. In 2014, the Buckeyes lost starting quarterback Braxton Miller before the season and then watched J.T. Barrett suffer a season-ending injury late in the regular season. Third-string quarterback Cardale Jones stepped in and led Ohio State to three consecutive victories over Wisconsin, Alabama, and Oregon to capture the first College Football Playoff national championship. Repeating that remarkable run will be a challenge, but Ohio State still has elite playmakers like Jeremiah Smith and a talented supporting cast that can help a new quarterback succeed. If the Buckeyes can adjust offensively and maintain their defensive dominance while Sayin recovers, their championship aspirations remain alive.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss gives Ole Miss an experienced playmaker under center, while running back Kewan Lacy provides a powerful rushing attack that can take pressure off the passing game. The Rebels demonstrated their potential with a dominant 31-3 win over Missouri, in which Chambliss accounted for four touchdowns, and Lacy rushed for 122 yards.
If the Rebels continue to play complementary football and get consistent performances from their offensive stars, they could turn last season’s playoff success into a national championship.
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NCAA Football Heisman Trophy winner value picks on OG.com
Smith has been one of college football’s most dominant playmakers, putting up numbers that make him a legitimate candidate to become the first wide receiver to win the award since DeVonta Smith in 2020. Through seven games, the Ohio State star has 52 receptions for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns, ranking second nationally in both receiving yards and touchdown catches.
At 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, Smith combines size, speed and exceptional ball skills to create mismatches against virtually any defense. His biggest challenge is Ohio State’s quarterback situation, with Julian Sayin potentially missing the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury.
However, if Smith continues to produce at an elite level and helps the Buckeyes remain in the national championship picture, his historic season could be enough to make Heisman history.
MORE: How ProphetX’s transaction fees compare to Kalshi, Polymarket
Chambliss has emerged as one of college football’s most exciting quarterbacks, combining impressive passing production with the ability to make plays under pressure. Through seven games, the Ole Miss star has thrown for 1,926 yards and 16 touchdowns, keeping the Rebels in the national championship conversation.
Chambliss has also delivered in high-pressure moments, including a 363-yard, two-touchdown performance against LSU that helped Ole Miss secure a 32-24 victory over a top-10 opponent. His journey from Division II Ferris State to Heisman contender status adds another compelling storyline to his candidacy.
NCAA Football futures markets on Polymarket
It’s time to look at what markets Polymarket is offering for NCAA Football futures:
- College Football National Championship Winner
- College Football Playoff Qualifiers
- Conference to Win the National Championship
- Conference Champions 2026-27
- College Football Teams to Qualify for a Bowl Game
- College Football Undefeated Regular Season…and more
