The Athletic’s 2026 College Football Playoff predictions have sparked considerable debate among fans and analysts alike, outlining a landscape where tradition meets emerging powerhouses.
Top Contenders
Staff writers peg Notre Dame as the most likely champion, banking on a defense anchored by Leonard Moore and the dual-threat quarterback CJ Carr, a combination that could finally end the program’s 38‑year title drought.
Ohio State enters the conversation as the nation’s top‑ranked team in both the AP poll and the coaches’ survey, yet the model does not crown them the favorite, citing the need for quarterback Julian Sayin to take a step forward.
Oregon, meanwhile, enjoys consensus among readers as the favorite, bolstered by recent triumphs over title‑contending opponents and a roster that appears poised for its first national championship.
Heisman Outlook
The Heisman race centers on Ohio State’s standout receiver Jeremiah Smith, Oregon’s dynamic quarterback Dante Moore, and Notre Dame’s rising star CJ Carr, while Miami’s Malachi Toney is projected to make history by scoring in four different ways within a single game.
Conference forecasts see Miami leading the ACC, Texas Tech topping the Big 12, and Oregon projected to win the Big Ten, while the SEC remains split between Texas and Georgia, each backed by distinct strengths in defense and experience.
The projected playoff bracket currently lists Notre Dame, Oregon, Ohio State, Georgia, Miami and Indiana as the most likely qualifiers, with Texas Tech and BYU also viewed as potential dark‑horse semifinalists.