2026 College Football Predictions: National Title, Heisman Trophy, and Playoff Insights
The 2026 college football season is already shaping up to be one of the wildest in recent memory. Indiana’s surprise 2025 national championship win, with their quarterback snagging the Heisman, has thrown everything into chaos.
With so much up in the air, experts are tossing out their predictions for the national championship, Heisman Trophy, and conference races. Here’s a look at what could be coming our way in 2026—though, honestly, who really knows?
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Early Predictions for the 2026 National Championship
Indiana’s unexpected run means the 2026 title chase feels wide open. According to The Athletic, Oregon is the early favorite.
Dante Moore is back at quarterback, and despite losing both coordinators to head coaching gigs, the Ducks seem ready for a serious title push. Moore’s choice to stick around, along with a few other key guys, has Oregon perched at the top of the preseason lists.
Contenders to Watch
Still, it’s not like Oregon’s running away with this thing. They only pulled in 32.1% of The Athletic’s panel votes.
- Indiana: The defending champs want a repeat, but they’ll have to do it with TCU transfer Josh Hoover at quarterback after losing Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.
- Ohio State: The Buckeyes got three votes and are chasing a second title in three years.
- Notre Dame: Stung by a controversial CFP snub, the Irish are out to prove themselves.
- Texas: After a letdown in 2025, Texas is desperate to live up to the hype this time.
- Texas Tech: Don’t sleep on Tech—after their first top-10 finish and a playoff appearance, they’re hoping for more.
Heisman Trophy Race
The Heisman race is just as unpredictable. Jeremiah Smith is back in the spotlight, and even with a new play-caller and the odds stacked against receivers, his numbers are hard to ignore.
Top Heisman Candidates
Besides Smith, here are a few more names to keep an eye on:
- Julian Sayin: Ohio State’s sharp passer and last year’s Heisman finalist.
- Arch Manning: Led Texas to a 10-3 season, and some think he’s ready to break out.
- CJ Carr: Notre Dame’s quarterback, quietly getting some Heisman buzz.
- Trinidad Chambliss: Ole Miss’s versatile threat, sticking around for one more shot.
- Jayden Maiava: If Lincoln Riley can work his magic again, Maiava could be his fourth Heisman QB.
Conference Championship Predictions
The conference races are heating up, and there’s a sense that the usual powerhouses might not have it so easy this year. The Athletic’s survey has some interesting picks:
Big Ten
Oregon is the favorite for the Big Ten crown, still searching for their first title in the league since joining in 2024. Ohio State and Indiana are lurking, both with something to prove.
SEC
Georgia gets the nod, just barely edging out Texas. Alabama’s missing from the top, which feels weird, but losing Ty Simpson to the NFL and a rough transfer portal window will do that.
ACC
Miami leads the way in the ACC, helped by Duke transfer Darian Mensah at quarterback. Virginia Tech, now under James Franklin, is hoping for their first title since 2010.
Big 12
BYU is a slight favorite over Texas Tech, with Kalani Sitake and quarterback Bear Bachmeier sticking around. Still, Tech’s transfer haul keeps them firmly in the mix.
Group of 5
Boise State is the pick among the Group of 5, but Memphis, USF, Navy, Tulane, and UTSA from the American are all in the conversation. UNLV, Hawaii, and New Mexico are Mountain West teams to watch, too.
Bold Predictions and Hot Takes
The Athletic’s staff didn’t hold back with their bold takes for 2026. Some of these feel a bit out there, but hey, that’s half the fun:
- Oregon, USC, and Ohio State: All three making the semifinals, which would be a huge flex for the Big Ten.
- SEC: Missing the national championship game for a fourth year in a row. That’s starting to feel strange, isn’t it?
- Notre Dame: Taking the title, then watching Marcus Freeman bolt for the NFL.
- Lane Kiffin: Leaving LSU mid-season to take over at Alabama, after Kalen DeBoer gets fired.
- Dabo Swinney: Parting ways with Clemson after another so-so year. That one’s hard to picture, but maybe the time’s coming.
Conclusion
The 2026 college football season is shaping up to be wild. There are so many teams and players chasing a shot at the spotlight.
Oregon’s got big dreams, the Heisman race looks unpredictable, and conference rivalries are as fierce as ever. Fans are in for a lot of action—maybe even a few surprises.
If you want every last prediction and expert take, the full article’s over at The Athletic. Worth a read, honestly.
