The 2025 season ended with Alabama’s Crimson Tide falling in the Rose Bowl after a hard‑fought quarterfinal battle against Indiana. That loss, while ending a promising run, reinforced the belief that the program remains a perennial contender in the expanded 12‑team College Football Playoff format.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Tide will confront a demanding slate that includes road trips to Tennessee and LSU, while also hosting traditional powerhouses Georgia and Texas A&M. The schedule is designed to test depth and resilience, but analysts still expect Alabama to finish among the SEC’s top tier and to remain in the conversation for a playoff spot.
The upcoming playoff field is projected to feature five SEC teams, three Big Ten programs, and a single representative from each of the ACC, Big 12, Pac‑12, and the independent ranks. Alongside Alabama, teams such as Ohio State, Texas, Georgia, Miami, Notre Dame and Boise State are all slated to compete for the national championship.
Among the projected championship matchups, many pundits forecast a showdown between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns, with Ohio State entering as the slight favorite. The Buckeyes, who captured a CFP title just two years ago, are expected to bring a potent offense and a stout defense to the final.
Heisman race takes shape
Heisman Trophy discussions will revolve around several standout players. Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin headline the Buckeyes’ list of finalists, while Georgia’s Gunner Stockton and Ole Miss’s Trinidad Chambliss round out the conversation. Chambliss, who finished eighth in last year’s voting, has been tabbed as the preseason favorite to win the award, underscoring the Rebels’ high‑powered offense.
Ole Miss is projected to boast one of the SEC’s most prolific scoring attacks in 2026, with Chambliss at the helm. His ability to generate yards after the catch and to extend plays makes him a central figure in the Rebels’ offensive scheme, and his performance could heavily influence both his team’s playoff prospects and his own Heisman narrative.