Athlon Sports Predicts 12-Team Playoff Projections For 2026

Athlon Sports released College Football Playoff 12-Team Preseason Projections for 2026 and predicts five SEC schools to make the postseason bracket.

College Football Playoff 12-Team Preseason Projections for 2026
The Projected Field for 2026-27

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