2026 College Football Playoff Bracket: Early Projections and Predictions
The college football offseason is all about speculation and anticipation. Fans and analysts are already looking ahead to the coming season.
Now that the transfer portal has closed and rosters are set, the landscape for the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) is coming into focus. The 12-team bracket format is sticking around, and honestly, it feels like the stage is set for one wild ride.
From Indiana’s unexpected unbeaten run to the possible comeback of some old-school powerhouses, the 2026 CFP projections give us a pretty intriguing peek at what’s next for college football.
Contents
2026 College Football Playoff Projections
The 2026 College Football Playoff bracket is already getting people talking. A handful of teams look ready to shake things up in a big way.
Here’s a look at the projected matchups and a few storylines that could define the season.
Top Seeds and Their Paths
Miami Hurricanes: After making it to the national championship, Miami is projected as the top seed. Adding Duke quarterback Darian Mensah and star receiver Malachi Toney should make this offense a handful for anyone.
Even after losing pass rusher Rueben Bain, Miami’s defense looks improved. They’re shaping up to be a tough out.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Notre Dame sits in the second seed slot, thanks to a favorable schedule and a strong group of transfers. Sophomore quarterback C.J. Carr is expected to keep the momentum going after finishing his freshman year with ten straight wins.
Texas Longhorns: Texas grabs the third seed. Their schedule won’t be easy, but with quarterback Arch Manning back and Will Muschamp running the defense, they’ve got plenty of reasons to feel optimistic.
Their early-season clash with Ohio State could set the tone for everything else.
Indiana Hoosiers: Indiana, last year’s national champs, are projected as the fourth seed. Coach Curt Cignetti and a top-10 transfer class have Hoosier fans dreaming big again.
Key Matchups and Potential Upsets
The 12-team format means every game matters just a little more. Upsets feel more possible than ever, and a few matchups already stand out.
First-Round Showdowns
LSU vs. Ohio State: Ninth-seeded LSU faces off with eighth-seeded Ohio State. The Buckeyes’ brutal schedule—Texas, Indiana, Oregon, Michigan, USC—makes predicting an outcome here tricky.
Texas A&M vs. Oregon: Tenth-seeded Texas A&M meets seventh-seeded Oregon. Dante Moore is back at quarterback for the Ducks, which gives them some stability even with coaching changes.
Texas A&M’s offense, led by Marcel Reed, will have their hands full with Oregon’s defense.
Memphis vs. Georgia: Memphis, seeded eleventh and led by new coach Charles Huff, faces the sixth-seeded Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia’s defense has improved and they’ve got key players returning, so Memphis—who relies a lot on transfers—has its work cut out.
Michigan vs. Texas Tech: Twelfth-seeded Michigan, with first-year coach Kyle Whittingham, takes on the fifth-seeded Texas Tech Red Raiders. Texas Tech’s new-look roster, especially quarterback Brendan Sorsby, should give Michigan plenty to think about.
Teams to Watch
Plenty of teams could make a run in the 2026 College Football Playoff. Some are more obvious than others, but a few deserve a closer look.
Miami Hurricanes
Honestly, Miami’s roster feels almost overpowered, especially with Darian Mensah now in the mix. Their offense could be fireworks every week.
Even after losing Rueben Bain, the defensive line looks deeper. If they stay healthy, Miami’s a real threat for the national title.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame’s schedule sets up nicely, and their transfer class is strong. With C.J. Carr’s potential—maybe even Heisman-level—the Irish could be a tough out for anyone.
Texas Longhorns
Arch Manning gives Texas a shot in any game. Will Muschamp’s defense should keep them in close ones, and that early test against Ohio State will say a lot about where they stand.
Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers, still buzzing from their championship, come in with big expectations. Coach Cignetti and a strong transfer haul keep them firmly in the playoff conversation.
Conclusion
The 2026 College Football Playoff is shaping up to be a wild ride. There are plenty of teams with a real shot at making the 12-team bracket.
Miami’s offense looks explosive, while Indiana seems hungry for another championship. There are so many storylines, and honestly, it’s tough to guess how it’ll all play out.
If you want a deeper dive into the 2026 College Football Playoff projections, check out CBS Sports.
