2026 College Football Playoff Predictions, Odds, Picks, Projections: Ohio State, Indiana, Notre Dame, More!

It's time to make your predictions for the 2026 College Football season! Everyone has an opinion on who will be in the 12-team field in its third year and here's mine! But first, you must know, in 2022, the College Football season featured four teams each make it to 11-0, in 2023, five teams accomplished that feat, and in 2025, we had three squads make it. 10 of those 12 teams reached 12-0. This year, I think we could see four teams potentially undefeated through 10 to 12 games. They are the top four teams in my playoff bracket. As a reminder, the top four teams get a bye week in the first round. I have them slated as the following: 1. Ohio State Buckeyes 2025 Record: 12-2 (9-0) 2026 Record Prediction: 12-0 (9-0) Odds to make the CFB Playoff: -360 Ohio State goes to Texas, Indiana, and USC, plus have a road game at Oregon on the schedule. With all that, I truly think this Buckeyes team is up for the test. They, like a few other teams, have an elite quarterback, top end talent and depth at wide receiver, a stable offensive line, nasty front seven, and some freaks in the secondary. The schedule looks scary, but remember, Ohio State has a 54-6 regular season record since 2021 with four of those losses coming to Michigan and Oregon being other two. Ohio State isn't losing to Michigan in Kyle Whittingham 's first year, and the Buckeyes could have very well beat Indiana last season in the Big Ten Championship. Ohio State's floor should be 9 wins in reality, but this is a 11 or 12-win regular season team based on talent. 2. Georgia Bulldogs 2025 Record: 12-2 (7-1) 2026 Record Prediction: 12-0 (9-0) Odds to make the CFB playoff: -240 I think Georgia can win the SEC, but if they don't, the Bulldogs will still find themselves in the playoff field. Georgia goes to Alabama and Ole Miss, plus has a neutral field game with Florida. The Bulldogs host Oklahoma and Missouri, so it's a manageable schedule at least 10 wins. Georgia is 57-3 in the regular season since 2021. This team is so stacked from the running back room, front seven, to their veteran quarterback. I have Georgia at 12-0. 3. Texas Tech Red Raiders 2025 Record: 12-2 (8-1) 2026 Record Prediction: 12-0 (9-0) Odds to make the CFB Playoff: -200 The schedule broke beautifully for the Red Raiders in 2026. Texas Tech ends up avoiding BYU and Utah, plus hosts Houston. The toughest road game will be either at Oklahoma State or Cincinnati. Texas Tech should be on cruise control during the regular season and Will Hammond shouldn't have too many issues filling Beheren Morton 's shoes. Last year, three teams made it to 11-0 (Texas A&M, Ohio State, Indiana) and two finished with a perfect 12-0 regular season (Ohio State, Indiana) — Texas Tech could be one of those teams this year fighting for a perfect record. 4. Miami Hurricanes 2025 Record: 13-3 (6-2) 2026 Record Prediction: 12-0 (8-0) Odds to make the CFB playoff: -280 The U is back! After losing in the National Championship Game to Indiana, Miami went out and signed Darian Mensah in the transfer portal to give me my new favorite College Football trio — Mensah, Malachi Toney , and Mark Fletcher Jr. Miami is loaded with talent and the schedule is more than favorable. The Hurricanes go to Clemson in October and Notre Dame in November as their two toughest games. I have this team at 12-0, but the floor feels like 10-2. Spots 5-9 The next group would all host a first round matchup, then be likely underdogs in the quarterfinals. These four are all dangerous and feature Heisman candidates at quarterback. Home teams are 4-2 in the two years of the playoffs, but they went 2-2 last year with Oklahoma losing to Alabama (34-24) and Texas A&M dropping a contest to Miami (10-3). 5. Texas Longhorns 2025 Record: 10-3 (6-2) 2026 Record Prediction: 10-2 (8-1) Odds to make the CFB Playoff: -200 Texas has seven ranked games this season, including three road games over the final four weeks (At Missouri, LSU, Texas A&M). Texas’ schedule is ridiculous on paper, but manageable over the first eight games, especially if Arch Manning performs like he did against Michigan in Texas' bowl win. I have the Longhorns at 10-2 with a loss to Ohio State and Texas A&M. The Longhorns knocked the Aggies out of the SEC Championship Game last year, so I am playing the revenge angle. 6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2025 Record: 10-2
2026 Record Prediction: 11-1
Odds to make the CFB Playoff: -800 Notre Dame started 2025 off 0-2, then rattled off 10 consecutive wins. The Fighting Irish were red-hot, but left out of the playoff field in favor of Alabama, Oklahoma, Miami, Tulane, and James Madison. This season, Notre Dame's schedule is even easier. Outside of a road trip to BYU, and a home game versus Miami, Notre Dame will be heavy favorites in every other contest. I think the Irish go 11-1 and split their headliners between BYU and Miami solidifying them a spot in the field and hosting a first round game. 7. Oregon Ducks 2025 Record: 13-2 (8-1) 2026 Record Prediction: 11-1 (8-1) Odds to make the CFB Playoff: -320 Oregon has made the College Football Playoff two-straight seasons as a No. 1 seed and No. 5 seed. I will drop the Ducks down a few spots to seven this year, but they'll be in the hunt for a title again. The Ducks finish the regular season alternating time zones seven consecutive weeks, including back-to-back games at Ohio State, then hosting Michigan. Oregon will also play Boise State, Oklahoma State, and USC in three of the first four games this season. The Ducks schedule is packed with big games, but even a 9-3 regular season record could get them into the playoff. I honestly only see a loss to Ohio State in the regular season then again in the Big Ten Championship, but letdown spots happen. 8. Ole Miss Rebels 2025 Record: 13-2 (7-1) 2026 Record Prediction: 10-2 (7-2) Odds to make the CFB playoff: +200 Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy are both back and the schedule ends ideally with Wofford and Mississippi State over the last two weeks to give the Rebels potentially a little rest before a playoff push or SEC Championship. Ole Miss goes to Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida, which won't be easy road trips. Ole Miss also hosts LSU, Georgia, and Auburn, so the schedule will be full of challenges. This looks like a 9-10 win team and schedule. I have 10-2 with losses to Georgia and Texas. Spots 9-12 The final group to get in will feature two powerhouse programs, Alabama and Indiana. I believe the Hoosiers will get in based on a likely 10-win season and being the reigning National Champs. BYU will be the second school out of the Big 12 to make the playoff edging out Utah and joining Texas Tech. The non-P4 team to make it will likely come out of the newly formed Pac-12. Boise State is the favorite in the Pac-12, but if I went outside that conference and picked a team — I'd go for a long shot like UTSA (crazy, I know). 9. Alabama Crimson Tide 2025 Record: 11-4 (7-1) 2026 Record Prediction: 10-2 (7-2) Odds to make CFB Playoff: +154 Alabama made the playoff last season and beat Oklahoma, 34-24, then was throttled by Indiana, 38-3. The Tide enter the year quietly with lower expectations by most. Sophomore Keelon Russell takes over at quarterback and he will have his No.1 target, Ryan Coleman-Williams, healthy and ready to roll. The defense returns seven starters and has one of the best secondaries in the country. This season, Alabama should be smooth sailing until October when they face Georgia, go to Tennessee, then host Texas A&M. The Tide will have a bye week following the Aggies matchup, then head to LSU and Vanderbilt back-to-back weeks. Georgia beats Alabama and the Tide likely drop one more game at LSU, versus Auburn, South Carolina or Florida State. I have Alabama at 10-2 with an 8-4 floor. Texas A&M, LSU, and Oklahoma will all be in the nix for the final SEC playoff spot — Alabama has a better schedule than all three this year. 10. Indiana Hoosiers 2025 Record: 16-0 (9-0) 2026 Record Prediction: 10-2 (8-2) Odds to make the CFB Playoff: -350 Indiana complete the perfect season last year capped off with a National Championship. Only four teams have been undefeated and won a National Title in the same year since 2020 and 13 teams dating back to 2000. None of those teams were able to do it back-to-back seasons — no one since Nebraska did so in 1994 and 1995. Josh Hoover (TCU) takes over at quarterback and he gets Nick Marsh (Michigan State) as his No. 1 wide out. The secondary figures to be elite once again and the defense a top 15 unit despite replacing their three best players. The Hoosiers won't be as talented as last season, but they'll likely be an underdog in one game (Vs Ohio State). A road trip to Michigan and Washington, plus a home game versus USC will be the letdown spots for the Hoosiers. I predict a 10-2 regular season for Indiana. 11. BYU Cougars 2025 Record: 12-2 (8-1) 2026 Record Prediction: 11-1 (9-0) Odds to make the CFB Playoff: +330 BYU at Utah on November 7 could very well determine not only who gets into the Big 12 tournament, but if either team makes the college football playoff. The Cougars host Notre Dame out of conference and go to Utah — those are the only games they will be underdogs. At the worst, BYU should be 10-2 this season, but something tells me this team finishes 11-1 and loses to Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship. I am a fan of Utah, but with a new coach and a new offensive line compared to BYU having their two best offensive players back with another stout defense — the Cougars look like the No. 2 in the Big 12. Does a 11-1 or 10-2 record in the Big 12 get you in over SEC or Big Ten teams like Oklahoma, LSU, or USC if those teams are 9-3? We will see, but BYU might get a nod over those if they are 11-1, but if BYU goes 10-2 and losses to Notre Dame and Utah — the Cougars will have no hope of making the playoff. 12. Boise State Broncos 2025 Record: 9-5 (6-2) 2026 Record Prediction: 11-1 (7-0) Odds to make the CFB Playoff: +450 The 12th and final spot will probably be awarded to the renovated Pac-12, which to some, isn't right, but what are we going to do? Boise State is the favorite to win the conference and that sounds about right based on its eight Mountain West Championship appearances in the last nine years! Quarterback Maddux Madsen (2,334 passing yards, 22 total TDs) and running back Dylan Riley (1,125 rush yds, 12 total TDs) return, the Broncos have three starting offensive lineman back and a strong defensive line that will carry the defense. Boise State plays at Oregon to open the season, which may very well determine their playoff hopes. If Boise State loses by 30 points, then the Broncos will have to go undefeated in the Pac-12 and win the Conference Championship, plus get some help. If Boise State loses by two touchdowns or less, they will still have to win the conference and be undefeated the next 12 games. Peacock  offers one of the most comprehensive live sports streaming lineups available today, bringing together the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, Premier League, NCAA football, NCAA basketball, golf, motorsports, and major global sporting events in a single service. College Football Playoff Matchups First Round Matchup: No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Texas
Prediction: Texas 38, Boise State 17
Analysis: Texas simply overpowers a Boise State team that is happy to be there after winning a reformed Pac-12. Manning scores at least three touchdowns. Matchup: No. 11 BYU at No. 6 Notre Dame
Prediction: Notre Dame 27, BYU 17
Analysis : Notre Dame wins at BYU on October 17, so the Cougars have a chance to repay the favor in South Bend. There's usually one repeat game from the regular season in the playoff and this is my prediction. Notre Dame wins both versus BYU. CJ Carr masterclass at home (3 TDs, 0 INT). Matchup: No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Oregon Ducks
Prediction: Oregon 24, Indiana 20
Analysis : Indiana was responsible for both of Oregon's losses in 2025. Dante Moore tossed three touchdowns and three interceptions in those meetings. This time around, Josh Hoover throws two picks, Oregon's defense and special teams step up and make game-changing plays to sneak by Indiana shutting the door on the Hoosiers' back-to-back bid. Sweet revenge. Matchup: No. 9 Alabama and No. 8 Ole Miss
Prediction: Ole Miss 31, Alabama 28
Analysis : Points, points, points! These two don't play in the regular season, so this would be a fun and high-scoring matchup. The two haven't met since 2023 (Alabama won 24-10) and believe it or not, the Tide have eight-straight wins over the Rebels. Chambliss and Lacy lead a late charge and score on a game-winning drive at home. Quarterfinals Matchup: No. 1 Ohio State vs No. 8 Ole Miss
Prediction: Ohio State 30, Ole Miss 17
Analysis : After beating Alabama, the offense runs into a buzzsaw and scores a late touchdown to make the game look a bit more respectable. The Buckeyes bulldoze the Rebels and run for three scores. Matchup: No. 2 Georgia vs No. 7 Oregon
Prediction: Georgia 23, Oregon 20
Analysis : These teams play chess defensively and the scoring doesn't come until the second-half after adjustments are made. This game comes to kicking and turnovers. Gunner Stockton plays cleaner than Dante Moore . Georgia advances. Matchup: No. 3 Texas Tech vs No. 6 Notre Dame
Prediction: Texas Tech 16, Notre Dame 14
Analysis : Will Hammond and CJ Carr both struggle to reach 200 yards as the defense rules the day and field position determines the winner. Notre Dame scores more touchdowns than Tech, but the Red Raiders put together more scoring drives. Matchup: No. 4 Miami vs No. 5 Texas
Prediction: Texas 37, Miami 33
Analysis : This ends up being the highest scoring game of the playoffs between two Heisman hopefuls. Mensah and Manning go head-to-head and combine for at least six touchdowns. The Longhorns defense makes one more stand than the Hurricanes' and that's the difference. Semifinals Matchup: No. 1 Ohio State vs No. 5 Texas
Prediction: Ohio State 28, Texas 23
Analysis : The Longhorns have scored 38 and 37 points theoretically at this point, but the Buckeyes continue to show the country why they have the No. 1 defense. Jeremiah Smith puts on a show and goes for 100-plus yards and two scores and his quarterback Julian Sayin tosses three touchdowns. Matchup: No. 3 Texas Tech vs No. 2 Georgia
Prediction: Georgia 30, Texas Tech 10
Analysis : Will Hammond doesn't know what hit him, or should I say, who! The Bulldogs route the Red Raiders and Texas Tech starts fundraising oil money for another expensive offseason in the transfer portal chasing a title. National Championship Matchup: No. 1 Ohio State vs No. 2 Georgia
Prediction: Ohio State 31, Georgia 27
Analysis : The two best teams in the country meet and we are not scammed out of a good time. The game plans are so good and the quarterbacks are efficient, the special teams units are crisp, there's hard hits and fumbles being recovered by the offense sending everyone's hands on their head. But what happens? I think the game would come down to a fourth down or two that goes south in the fourth quarter. I envision Gunner Stockton rolling out and a pass bouncing off his receivers fingertips on fourth down as Ohio State fans celebrate everywhere with less than two minutes remaining. Ohio State wins the National Championship in a nail-biter and the Big Ten wins its fourth title in four years. That's the script. Hope you enjoyed or hated it! My Week 0 College Football Articles:
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