Sports Illustrated’s latest bowl and College Football Playoff projections, released just after Week 1 of the 2026 season, place Notre Dame at the apex of the playoff picture, while also introducing fresh contenders such as Colorado and UMass into the mix.
Projected Playoff Landscape
Ohio State sits just behind the Irish at number two and is slated to meet Miami in the National Championship game that will be staged in Las Vegas, a location that adds a new sparkle to the sport’s biggest stage.
The projected slate features a series of high‑profile pairings: the Fiesta Bowl will pit Notre Dame against BYU, the Cotton Bowl will showcase Miami versus LSU, and the Peach Bowl will bring Georgia together with Texas, while the Rose Bowl is expected to deliver a clash between Ohio State and Oregon.
Beyond the marquee games, the forecast lists 35 bowl matchups spanning December 15 to January 2, including the Frisco Football Classic, which pits two former FCS rivals, and the Frisco Bowl, reuniting former Big Eight programs; Boise State is projected to open its postseason against LSU and USC, Indiana will face Oklahoma, and BYU will take on Oregon in the quarterfinal round.