College Football Playoff 12-Team Preseason Projections for 2026
College football's 2026 season marks the third year of the 12-team playoff. And for the second consecutive offseason, tweaks are coming to the format. The four champions of the power conferences are now locked into the field, along with the highest-ranked program from the Group of 6 conferences. Additionally, Notre Dame is guaranteed a playoff spot if it finishes inside the top 12 of the selection committee's final rankings. And of course, in the background of the '26 season and battle for playoff position, is an ongoing debate over the future of the field. Will the 12-team format continue in '27? Or will expansion to 24 teams become a reality? That's a storyline expected to play out in the background in time for a potential decision by December.
The Big Ten has claimed three consecutive national champions and is positioned for another run at a title with Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana each positioned to contend for a spot in the top five. However, the SEC should fight back for No. 1 with Georgia and Texas primed for a run at the top spot. Also, last year's playoff snub should fuel Notre Dame to a deep run in this year's field.
With less than 60 days until kickoff for the '26 season, and rosters essentially finalized for the upcoming year, it's time to project what the College Football Playoff could look like in December.
As a refresher: 12 teams - four champions from the power conferences, the highest-ranked Group of 6 team and seven highest-ranked at-large selections by the selection committee - will receive berths to the College Football Playoff. Notre Dame is also locked into the field if it finishes in the top 12 in the selection committee's final rankings. The top four highest-ranked teams receive a bye, with the first-round games slated to be played at the home sites of the higher seed. Beginning with the quarterfinals, all games through the national championship will be played at bowl or neutral sites.
Related: College Football Bowl Projections for 2026-27
With the postseason format officially set and actual games right around the corner, it's never too early to think about how the CFP will look by December. Athlon Sports projects the CFP field for 2026-27:
Conference Predictions for 2026
Power 4: ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | SEC | Ranking All 138 Teams
Group of 6: American | CUSA | MAC | Mountain West | Pac-12 | Sun Belt
College Football Playoff 12-Team Preseason Projections for 2026
The Projected Field for 2026-27
Projected rankings from Athlon's 138 ranking for 2026
1. Ohio State (Projected Big Ten Champion)
2. Georgia (Projected SEC Champion)
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
5. Indiana
6. Oregon
7. Miami (Projected ACC Champion)
8. Oklahoma
9. Texas A&M
10. LSU
11. Texas Tech (Projected Big 12 Champion)
12. Boise State (Projected highest-ranked G6 Team)
The Next Tier of CFB Playoff Contenders: Ole Miss, Michigan, USC, Alabama, BYU, Washington, Penn State, Houston, Utah, Tennessee, SMU, Louisville, Iowa, Florida and Clemson
The Next Tier of G6 Playoff Contenders (Projected Conference Champions): Navy, Western Kentucky, Miami (Ohio), UNLV and James Madison
Other G6 Teams to Watch: Memphis, UTSA, Army, Tulane, Liberty, Kennesaw State, Western Michigan, New Mexico, Hawaii, North Dakota State, San Diego State, Fresno State and Troy
College Football Playoff First Round
Games to be played on Dec. 18 and Dec. 19. Contests will be played at home site of higher-ranked team.
No. 5 Indiana vs. No. 12 Boise State
No. 6 Oregon vs. No. 11 Texas Tech
No. 7 Miami vs. No. 10 LSU
No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Texas A&M
College Football Playoff Quarterfinals
Second-round games will be played at bowl sites and will take place from Dec. 30 and Jan. 1.
Fiesta Bowl (Dec. 30)
Location: State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Projection: No. 4 Notre Dame vs. No. 5 Indiana
Peach Bowl (Jan. 1)
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.
Projection: No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Miami
Cotton Bowl (Jan. 1)
Location: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
Projection: No. 3 Texas vs No. 6 Oregon
Rose Bowl (Jan. 1)
Location: Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.
Projection: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 8 Oklahoma
College Football Playoff Semifinals
Semifinal games will be played at bowl sites. Matchups are scheduled for Jan. 14-15.
Orange Bowl (Jan. 14)
Location: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Projection: No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Notre Dame
Sugar Bowl (Jan. 15)
Location: Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La.
Projection:No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 3 Texas
National Championship
Date: Jan. 25, 2027
Location: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev.
Projection: Ohio State over Georgia
Related: College Football Bowl Projections for 2026-27
Related: College Football Top 138 Team Rankings for 2026
Related: College Football 2026 All-America Team
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This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 9:00 AM.