The college football season is done, and now a long offseason is ahead until the pomp and circumstance of the sport returns in the summertime. Regardless, it’s never too early to look ahead.
Indiana stood tall above the rest of the field this past season, as the Hoosiers defeated the Miami Hurricanes in the national title game, but will they be able to repeat next season? That’s the question on the mind of ESPN’s Bill Connelly.
He took the liberty to project the 2026 College Football Playoff bracket. He’s still a believer in the Hoosiers, but spoiler alert — he doesn’t have them repeating. Check out who he’s riding with next season below.
Curt Cignetti is building a monster. Indiana is fresh off completing its 16-0 championship season, but there’s no rest for the weary.
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Hoosiers will be ready to compete once again next season. Fernando Mendoza will move on to the NFL, but TCU transfer quarterback Josh Hoover is a more than formidable replacement. ESPN thinks the Hoosiers will win the Big Ten and continue their dominance.
Gunner Stockton (Brett Davis / Imagn Images)
Georgia hasn’t been able to get back to the national title game after dominating college football for a couple of seasons. Count out Kirby Smart at your own risk.
The Bulldogs have still captured multiple SEC titles in that time. They want more, and with Gunner Stockton coming back for another season, they can achieve it. ESPN has Georgia winning the SEC.
Texas Tech is trying to crash the party at the top of the college football world. The Red Raiders made their first impact this season, winning the Big 12 but falling to Oregon in their playoff game.
Tech has a big-time transfer coming in at quarterback in Brendan Sorsby, and he’s expected to take the team to the next level. We’ll see what the Red Raiders have in store for an encore in 2026, but ESPN thinks they’ll win the Big 12 and get a bye in the First Round once again.
Notre Dame won 10 consecutive games, but it couldn’t convince the selection committee to punch their ticket to the 12-team Playoff. Then, they opted not to participate in bowl season, focusing on 2026 instead.
It could pay off, with Marcus Freeman leading the way and quarterback CJ Carr returning. The Fighting Irish should, for all intents and purposes, be one of the best teams in the nation next season. ESPN believes a bye week is in its future.
© Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Lincoln Riley was tabbed to bring USC national championships as its head coach. He’s yet to make the CFP, but ESPN has the Trojans firmly in the Top 12 at No. 5 for next season.
With quarterback Jayden Maiava returning for another go-round, the offense should be potent. The Trojans could be a major problem for opponents when you look at what they’re working with.
It was a majorly impressive season for Mike Elko at Texas A&M this past year. Marcel Reed was great at quarterback, and the Aggies were able to host their own home playoff game.
They fell short, but there’s no reason to expect them not to be competitive again in 2026. Reed is returning, and if he takes another step, A&M could be dangerous inside the SEC and beyond. An at-large bid is in their future yet again, per ESPN.
Ohio State couldn’t go back-to-back, but it wasn’t without trying. They put together an incredible effort, only falling to the two teams that played for it all in Indiana and Miami.
Julian Sayin made it to New York for the Heisman Ceremony, and he’ll be back in 2026, along with Jeremiah Smith. It’s easy to expect big things from the Buckeyes, and ESPN sees an at-large bid in their future.
© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
The sting is real for Miami after losing in the national title game. The good news, though? The Hurricanes have the horses to return in 2026.
The Canes have taken the steps under Mario Cristobal, elevating their game and returning to the top of the mountain. Carson Beck won’t be there, but Darian Mensah will be a heck of a replacement. ESPN has Miami winning the ACC.
Dan Lanning has Oregon in the upper echelon. It feels like a national title is coming, but the Ducks have actually fallen to the past two national champions over the last two seasons in Ohio State and now Indiana.
Dante Moore coming back is a huge boost, even after landing Dylan Raiola in the transfer portal. Oregon should compete at the top of the food chain once again in 2026. ESPN has them getting an at-large bid.
Arch Manning is returning for another go-round. Texas won’t let it be for naught, as it is surrounding him with stars all over the offensive side of the football.
Will it be enough? Time will tell, but after missing the College Football Playoff in 2025, the Longhorns will be more motivated than ever to get back to the 12-team dance. ESPN believes they will.
Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
There’s always a majorly unexpected program in here. ESPN chose Oklahoma State as its team that had a losing record last season that’ll make it to the 12-team dance.
There’s some reasoning behind it. North Texas head coach Eric Morris is taking over and bringing some of his best offensive players, like quarterback Drew Mestemaker. From the Mean Green to the Cowboys, they could deliver in Year 1.
Micah Alejado is leading Hawai’i at quarterback, and if it made the playoff, it’d be one of the more interesting developments in all of college football. ESPN believes the Rainbow Warriors will be the top Group of 6 champion, sending them to the dance.
They won’t have a home game, which would’ve been an insane thing to see. Regardless, Hawai’i would lead to a ton of debate, but for now, ESPN is thinking we’ll see a landmark season from the program.
First-Round Byes
No. 1Â Indiana (Big Ten Champion)
No. 2 Georgia (SEC Champion)
No. 3Â Texas Tech (Big 12 Champion)
No. 4Â Notre Dame
First-Round
No. 9 Oregon at No. 8 Miami
No. 12 Hawai’i at No. 5 USC
No. 11 Oklahoma State at No. 6 Texas A&M
No. 10 Texas at No. 7 Ohio StateÂ
Quarterfinals
No. 9 Oregon vs. No. 1Â Indiana
No. 5 USC vs. No. 4Â Notre Dame
No. 6 Texas A&M vs. No. 3Â Texas Tech
No. 10 Texas vs. No. 2 Georgia
Semifinals
No. 9 Oregon vs. No. 4Â Notre Dame
No. 3Â Texas Tech vs. No. 2 Georgia
National Championship Game
No. 4Â Notre Dame vs. No. 2 Georgia
*Predicted winners from ESPN denoted in bold