2026 college football playoff, national title and Heisman predictions released
A poll of 31 writers and editors, plus a reader survey, produced preseason forecasts for the 2026 College Football Playoff, national championship, conference titles and the Heisman Trophy.
A survey of 31 staff members from The Athletic and more than 2,000 readers generated preseason forecasts for the 2026 college football season. Notre Dame received the most votes to win the national championship, with 13 staff members selecting the Irish despite their No. 4 ranking in the AP poll. Ohio State and Oregon each earned a single staff vote for the title, while readers favored Oregon, followed by Texas and Georgia.
Staff explanations highlighted Notre Dame’s defensive talent, quarterback CJ Carr and a favorable schedule; Oregon was praised for its recent competitiveness and returning quarterback Dante Moore; Ohio State was noted for its depth and a challenging three-game stretch; Miami’s offensive weapons and defensive improvements were also cited; Texas was mentioned for its high-ceiling players and recent CFP appearances; Indiana’s experienced roster and schedule were referenced; Georgia was described as the SEC’s most reliable contender; and Texas A&M’s balanced roster and defensive strength were noted.
For the Heisman Trophy, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith topped the staff’s preseason list, followed by quarterbacks Dante Moore (Oregon), CJ Carr (Notre Dame), Arch Manning (Texas), Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss) and Darian Mensah (Miami). Six players received at least two votes.
Conference championship forecasts varied. In the ACC, Miami was the clear favorite to win the league title. The Big 12 poll favored Texas Tech, while readers split their votes between Texas Tech and BYU. For the Big Ten, staff members leaned toward Oregon, though the model and readers preferred Ohio State. SEC predictions centered on Texas (staff) and Georgia (model and readers), with several other teams receiving notable support.
The consensus College Football Playoff bracket placed Notre Dame, Oregon, Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, Miami and Indiana in the top-four seed range, with Texas Tech and BYU also receiving significant backing for at-large spots. Oklahoma edged Texas A&M, LSU and other SEC teams for the final at-large position.
The poll also collected a series of bold predictions, ranging from individual player achievements to coaching changes and conference realignments, reflecting the wide range of opinions among the panelists.