Oregon’s 2025-26 College Football Playoff Journey and Future Prospects
The 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) season has been wild—packed with surprises and more than a few head-scratchers. In just the second year of the 12-team playoff, only one top-four seed, Indiana, managed to make it to the semifinals.
Teams like Ole Miss and Oregon hung tough, even with all the chaos of coaching changes and staff shakeups. Now, as the championship game in South Florida on January 19 looms, let’s look back at the journeys of the eliminated playoff teams and wonder what’s next for them in 2026.
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Oregon Ducks: A Model of Consistency Amid Change
Dan Lanning has turned Oregon into a program that’s easy to envy. The Ducks are 48-8 over the last four seasons—pretty wild consistency given all the turnover.
Still, losing coordinators Will Stein and Tosh Lupoi to head coaching gigs elsewhere is no small thing. Lanning’s move to promote from within—Chris Hampton to Defensive Coordinator, Drew Mehringer to Offensive Coordinator—makes sense for continuity, but honestly, who knows how it’ll pan out?
Recruiting Outlook
Oregon’s recruiting keeps rolling. The Ducks landed their third straight top-five signing class, highlighted by five-star guys like Kendre’ Harrison, Immanuel Iheanacho, and Jett Washington.
Iheanacho, a 6-foot-7, 350-pound lineman out of Maryland, is a monster addition for the trenches. The defensive side also got a boost with names like Anthony Jones, Tony Cumberland, Davon Benjamin, and Devin Jackson.
Portal Priorities
The transfer portal has been Oregon’s friend lately, and this offseason is shaping up no differently. If quarterback Dante Moore heads to the NFL, that could open the door for Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola.
They’re also eyeing Minnesota safety Koi Perich and Utah cornerback Smith Snowden. Shoring up the offensive line through the portal seems like a no-brainer with NFL departures looming.
Ole Miss has been through the wringer. Lane Kiffin left for LSU, but somehow the Rebels still made it to the semifinals—largely thanks to quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, whose story is kind of legendary at this point.
But Chambliss’ eligibility for a sixth year is still up in the air. New head coach Pete Golding has his work cut out for him, trying to keep the ship afloat and the momentum rolling after Kiffin’s exit.
Recruiting Outlook
The coaching shakeup cost Ole Miss five pledges from their 2026 class, but they managed to pull in the nation’s 26th-ranked class. Running back Damarius Yates and wideout Jase Mathews headline the group and could be instant impact guys.
On defense, outside linebacker JaMichael Garrett and cornerback Dorian Barney lead a solid batch of ESPN 300 defenders. Golding will be counting on them to set the tone early.
Portal Priorities
Golding’s been busy in the portal, especially on defense—seven new faces are coming in. With Chambliss’ status up in the air, quarterback is a big focus, but they’ve also landed offensive tackle Carius Curne and pass-rusher Jonathan Maldonado.
Keeping the current roster together and avoiding more transfers will be huge for stability.
Georgia Bulldogs: Sustaining Excellence
Georgia had a young but loaded roster in 2025, and most of those guys are expected back for 2026. Quarterback Gunner Stockton and tailback Nate Frazier are set to lead the way.
The defense will need some retooling, though, as a few stars move on. Kirby Smart’s recruiting track record makes it hard to bet against the Bulldogs reloading again.
Recruiting Outlook
The 2026 recruiting class isn’t quite top-three, but it’s still stacked—16 ESPN 300 signees, including five-star tight end Kaiden Prothro and cornerback Justice Fitzpatrick.
Georgia’s recruiting machine keeps humming, and they’ve already snagged a couple of top 100 guys for the 2027 class. Not too shabby.
Portal Priorities
Georgia’s been pretty picky in the portal, targeting just a few spots. Wide receiver could be an area they hit again, considering how transfers have helped in recent years.
They’ll also need to patch up any holes from unexpected departures or draft losses. That’s just the nature of the beast at this level.
Alabama Crimson Tide: Rebuilding for Another Run
Alabama’s return to the CFP under Kalen DeBoer was a big deal. Now, the challenge is getting all the way back to national title contention—no easy task.
The quarterback situation and overall depth are the big storylines heading into 2026. There’s a lot to figure out if they want to take the next step.
Recruiting Outlook
Alabama’s 2026 class is sitting at seventh nationally. Top defensive backs like safety Jireh Edwards and corners Jorden Edmonds and Zyan Gibson headline the group.
Quarterbacks Jett Thomalla and Tayden-Evan Kaawa are also in the mix, keeping the pipeline stocked for the future.
Portal Priorities
The Tide didn’t go wild in the portal last offseason, but this year could be different. Linebacker and offensive line are spots where experienced transfers could help, especially if more guys head to the draft.
Oklahoma State transfer tight end Josh Ford is already on board, which feels like a solid start.
Texas Tech Red Raiders: Building on Success
Texas Tech’s Big 12 title in 2025 was a huge moment for the program. Expectations are sky-high for 2026, and the Red Raiders seem ready to chase another title.
Coach Joey McGuire is leading the charge, and with key players returning, Texas Tech looks like a preseason favorite in the Big 12.
Recruiting Outlook
The 2026 class is one of the best in school history—six ESPN 300 recruits, including five-star linebacker LaDamion Guyton and offensive tackle Felix Ojo.
Landing top-tier talent like this is a sign that Texas Tech’s profile is definitely on the rise.
Portal Priorities
The Red Raiders will use the transfer portal to fill gaps—especially in spots hit hard by NFL draft departures.
Bringing in a few difference-makers through the portal could make all the difference in keeping their momentum going.
2026 Prediction
Texas Tech’s got a solid group of returning players, plus some smart portal pickups this offseason. That’s a good start for another run at a strong year.
The Red Raiders have poured a lot into this program, and keeping the coaching staff mostly intact can’t hurt either. Maybe that mix is just what they need to stay near the top of the Big 12.
If you want a deeper dive into the 2025 College Football Playoff and what’s ahead for these teams, check out ESPN.
