Before a single snap has been played, we’re asked to predict which teams will survive the chaos, which quarterbacks will become stars, which coaches will prove they belong, and—most importantly—which 12 teams will ultimately earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Of course, preseason predictions are rarely about simply picking the teams with the most talent. The expanded playoff has added even more variables to the equation. Conference races, schedules, transfer additions, returning production, coaching changes and those inevitable November upsets all have to be considered. A team can look like a national championship contender in August and be fighting for its season by October.
So, before the season begins, it’s time to put the predictions on paper. Here are my 12 teams I believe will make the 2026 College Football Playoff, the teams I think will fall just short, and ultimately, the team I believe will be left standing when it’s all over.
College Football Playoff Seeding
- Georgia- (12-1), SEC Champs. Marquee wins: Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas (SEC CG). Losses: Oklahoma
- Notre Dame- (12-0). Marquee wins: Miami, BYU, SMU. Losses: None
- Ohio State- (11-2), Big 10 Champs. Marquee wins: Indiana, USC, Iowa, Michigan, Oregon (Big 10 CG). Losses: Texas, Oregon
- Oregon- (11-2), Big 10 Runner-up. Marquee wins: Ohio State, Washington, Michigan. Losses: USC, Ohio St. (Big 10 CG)
- Texas- (10-3), SEC Runner-up. Marquee wins: Ohio State, Ole Miss, Texas A&M. Losses: Oklahoma, LSU, UGA (SEC CG)
- Miami- (12-1), ACC Champs. Marquee wins: Clemson, FSU. Losses: Notre Dame
- BYU- (12-1), Big 12 Champs. Marquee wins: Utah, Arizona, Arizona St. Houston (Big 12 CG). Losses: Notre Dame
- Indiana- (10-2). Marquee wins: USC, Michigan. Losses: Ohio State, Washington
- LSU- (9-3). Marquee wins: Clemson, Texas, Texas A&M. Losses: Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee
- USC- (10-2). Marquee wins: Oregon, Washington, Penn State. Losses: Indiana, Ohio State.
- Houston- (12-1), Big 12 Runner-up. Marquee wins: Texas Tech, Utah, Oklahoma st. Losses: BYU (Big 12 CG)
- Boise State- (12-1) Group of 6. Marquee wins: Memphis, SDSU. Losses: Oregon
- Alabama-(9-3). Marquee wins: LSU, Auburn. Losses: UGA, Tennessee, Texas A&M
- Louisville- (10-3), ACC runner-up. Marquee wins: FSU, UNC, Pitt. Losses: Ole Miss, SMU, Miami (ACC CG)
Playoff Match-Up 1st Round
5. Texas vs 12. Boise State- Blow-out in Austin. Game is over by halftime. Arch throws for 5 TDs. Hype train building for the Longhorns.
6. Miami vs 11. Houston- Closer than people expect. Miami pulls away in the 4th for a 14 point win. Keisean Henderson plays and looks impressive as a true freshman for Houston.
7. BYU vs 10. USC- Back and forth game with little defense being played. USC has the ball last. Jayden Maiava leads the Trojans down for a late score and Lincoln Riley’s 1st Playoff win.
8. Indiana vs 9. LSU- All the hype is about LSU and Lane Kiffin. LSU disappears in the moment and the Hoosiers beat the Tigers in Bloomington Indiana. Hoosier have 200 yards on the ground and 4 sacks.
Bowl Games: 2nd Round
5. Texas vs 4. Oregon- The battle between the top 2 picks in the 2027 NFL draft. Dan Lanning wins in epic fashion to get his first marquee win in the playoff era. Boosters in Austin question if Sark is the right guy to lead Texas.
6. Miami vs 3. Ohio State- Rematch from last year’s playoff. Ryan Day gets his payback and Jeremiah Smith sets a playoff record for yards. Buckeyes win by double digits. Hurricanes go back and regroup for next year.
2. Notre Dame vs USC- Regular Season matchup was cancelled. Notre Dame flexes its defensive muscle vs the Trojans. CJ Carr puts on a show. Lincoln Riley is sent home crying to Hollywood.
8. Indiana vs 1. Georgia- Two old guys who growl and stare daggers at you during the game. Hard hitting game but Kirby comes out on top. Gunnar Stockton is bottled up but Georgia defense forces 3 turnovers.
The Final Four
4. Oregon vs 1. Georgia- Teacher vs Student. Dan Lanning vs Kirby Smart. Close fought game but Georgia outlasts the Ducks by running Nate Frazier 28 times. Control the clock in the 4th to snuff out the Ducks hope for a natty.
3. Ohio St vs 2. Notre Dame- A rematch from the national championship two years ago. Different year, same results. Ohio St. shows they can shut down the Irish rushing attack. The Buckeyes find a weak spot in the defense and win late.
The National Championship
3. Ohio State vs 1. Georgia- a rematch of the Peach Bowl classic from a few years ago. Back and forth matchup for four quarters. Ohio State lines up for a game winning field goal and this time makes it. Buckeyes are champions again!
