2026 College Football Playoff Projections: Notre Dame and Georgia Lead the Bracket

The 2026 college football season is set to begin in less than a month, shifting focus back to the field after an offseason filled with speculation. The College Football Playoff is expected to feature a 12-team format, with the final field to be determined at the end of the season.

Early season matchups, including Texas against Ohio State and Ole Miss facing LSU, are anticipated to significantly influence playoff standings. The projected first-round byes are assigned to Notre Dame, Ohio State, Georgia, and Miami, while notable matchups include Boise State at Texas and LSU at Texas Tech.

In the semifinals, Texas is projected to face Ohio State, while Georgia is set to meet Indiana. The final championship matchup is expected to be a rematch between Texas and Ohio State, with Ohio State emerging as the projected champion for the 2026 season.