2017 college football National Championship odds

Losing wideout Curtis Samuel is significant, but the Buckeyes still have quarterback J.T. Barrett and young running back Mike Weber. Head coach Urban Meyer has also recruited plenty of talent to replace one of last season's most talented secondaries.

The Crimson Tide lost a boatload of talent to the NFL, along with offensive minds Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian. However, quarterback Jalen Hurts returns alongside running back Bo Scarbrough and wideout Calvin Ridley. The defense is inexperienced but has more than enough talent to perform. Nick Saban's team is the clear favorite, as usual.

Losing running back Dalvin Cook is a big blow, but quarterback Deondre Francois showed star qualities in his first season as a starter. The Seminoles are highly capable of getting back on top in the ACC after Clemson's personnel losses. 

Quarterback Sam Darnold put on a show in the Rose Bowl, and the Trojans were one of the best teams in college football during the second half of last season. They have a scary offense that could easily march through the Pac-12.

The Sooners are coming off a disappointing season after making a National Championship run in 2015-16, but quarterback Baker Mayfield has the ability to put the offense on his back. Losing key offensive performers Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine and Dede Westbrook is reason to believe the Sooners don't have a rebound in them, however.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh still has a very young squad and returns quarterback Wilton Speight, along with running back Chris Evans. Many of Speight's receiver weapons are gone to the NFL.

The nation got to know quarterback Trace McSorley and running back Saquon Barkley well in the Rose Bowl. Both players are possible Heisman candidates for what should be one of the top offenses in the country.

The list of major losses for Clemson from its National Championship squad is long, with quarterback Deshaun Watson at the center. Still, head coach Dabo Swinney has proved that he belongs among the elite college coaches in the nation and recruited plenty of talent behind the Tigers' departures.

Some were surprised to see the Tigers make Ed Orgeron their permanent head coach, but the team rallied behind him last season. Derrius Guice outperformed Leonard Fournette at running back last season and will be counted on to carry the load this year with Fournette off to the NFL.

The Cardinals begin and end with Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson, who will try to build on an amazing 2016 season. Running back Jeremy Smith is also set to take on a bigger role in Bobby Petrino's offense.

Georgia took its lumps in the first season of top quarterback recruit Jacob Eason and head coach Kirby Smart. The team should be better for it, with the expectation that both sides of the ball will make big strides.

Auburn had a quarterback merry-go-round last season that probably didn't help the team's cause, but the Tigers at least have plenty of experience at the position now. Running back Kamryn Pettway proved very effective in Gus Malzahn's offense and is back for another go.

New head coach Tom Herman brings optimism for a team that was extremely disappointing last season. Quarterback Shane Buechele did show great flashes last year.

Chris Petersen has built the program many envisioned when he came over from Boise State, with the young star duo of Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin returning this season. Key defensive losses will make winning the Pac-12 difficult, however.

Optimism is always high in South Bend, where head coach Brian Kelly could be entering a make-or-break season. The team needs a quick turnaround on both sides of the ball.

The Gators have struggled to get consistent quarterback play in head coach Jim McElwain's two seasons, but the team has improved overall. Young Luke Del Rio has the talent to make Florida a major player again for an SEC championship if he's healthy, but he won't be handed the starting quarterback job.

Quarterback Mason Rudolph has a chance to solidify his draft stock this year after a great 2016 season, and the Big 12 looks extremely winnable this year. Wide receiver James Washington is also a clear Heisman Trophy candidate.

Virginia Tech moves on after Jerod Evans' departure, which will be difficult considering how much of the offense he accounted for last season. Head coach Justin Fuente impressed with a 9-3 record in his first season guiding the Hokies, so there's still reason to be bullish.

Wisconsin lost key talent from last year's roster on both sides of the ball. The Badgers' hard-nosed style was a team effort, so the hope is that Paul Chryst's team won't have a hard time maintaining its level of play from last year as an elite defense.

The Vols disappointed fans last season when they didn't compete for a National Championship, though that speaks well to head coach Butch Jones' progress since taking over at the school. Losing quarterback Joshua Dobbs and running back Alvin Kamara will be tough.

Quarterback Josh Rosen hasn't come close to fulfilling the hype he had when he arrived in 2015, but this season could be his time. The Bruins are coming off an extremely disappointing and injury-plagued 2016 season.

Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder always seems to exceed expectations. He has a chance to do so again this season with star quarterback Jesse Ertz making his return.

Running back Justin Crawford was one of the most lethal runners in college football last season with 7.3 yards per carry, and the Mountaineers could challenge for the Big 12 again after losing all their in-conference games last season.

New head coach Willie Taggart is trying to turn around a program that won only four games last season and showed no sign of defense. The offensive talent remains intact with young quarterback Justin Herbert and star running back Royce Freeman back healthy.

The Hurricane faithful had optimism that Mark Richt could turn the team into a powerhouse again after returning to his alma mater last season. Despite losing quarterback Brad Kaaya, the Canes have a chance to take a step forward after losing four games in 2016.