Athlon Sports Predicts 12-Team Playoff Projections For 2026

By Staff Reporter•Jul 8, 202611:32 am•Discuss the story27
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Athlon Sports released College Football Playoff 12-Team Preseason Projections for 2026 and predicts LSU will make the playoff as the No. 10 seed.

LSU is one of four SEC teams in the projected 12-team bracket, along with Georgia (Projected SEC Champion), Texas, and Texas A&M.

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
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27 Comments
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olgoi khorkhoi•3 days
Man, if LSU makes the playoff and Bama and Ole Miss don't, the SEC rant is gonna be lit.
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mike4lsu•2 days
Paul Finebaum will spew venom at us.
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KCT•2 days
Like all good serpents do.
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khill715•3 days
I mean Texas plays 5 of the teams in the playoff during the season so I'm not so sure about this prediction.
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khill715•3 days
I guess 4 if they don't play Ga in the sec champ game.
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jlbasm•3 days
Oklahoma?
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Hoops•3 days
Yeah they should be damn good this year
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theOG•2 days
Benefit of having the best defense in the country.
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Shalimar Sid•2 days
So if this was the real deal. LSU at Miami for playoff game, right?
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KennabraTiger•2 days
Indiana won’t make the playoffs next season
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BeachTiger2018•2 days
It seems like a way too generous benefit of the doubt to Cignetti to not skip a beat after coming off of a magical and unexpected natty campaign where they struck gold on Mendoza in the portal. Best bet is they will have some hangover.
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SparkyDaHound•2 days
5 from the SEC ??
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sharkfhin•2 days
But wait where's ole piss? According to X, all of the ole piss accts have already claimed the 2026 national title. Shame on you.
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LSUrme•2 days
Texas Tech (Projected Monster Energy* Big 12 Champion)
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Bucky_B•3 days
So Oklahoma is moving out?

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Geaux Guy•2 days
Predicting the Projections - Nice
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HuntinFishin25•2 days
These 'WAY WAY EARLY' predictions are simply to give talking heads something to speak to on air. Unfortunately, fans buy into this and get hyped up and DISAPPOINTED when reality kicks in. Having said that, GEAUX TIGERS!
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elesu1•2 days
you do know that Oklahoma is still in the SEC!!
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Tigrdynasty•3 hours
They're predicting projections now?
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oleheat•1 day
If Arch weren't the QB in Austin, they'd be lucky to be listed, much less be in the top 3.
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Gravitiger•2 days
Oklahoma makes 5 SEC teams.
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SOL2•2 days
I think this team has the potential to be a top 5 when it's all over. According to 247, we have top 5 overall talent. This team will go the way Sam goes. Prince , Deuce, R. Anderson and Lamar up front will make a huge difference also.
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jp4lsu•2 days
Sold! Ill take it!!
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ChipKelly•2 days
I'm biased but the media is way too high on Washington. They are liable to finish 7-5.
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Ssubba•2 days
Hate to say it, Bama is being slept on. Their new QB is going to be legit.
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Alexsportsdad•2 days
My understanding is Alabama has not even named the starting quarterback yet. They’re gonna wait until fall camp. It is between Mack and Russell.
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Spankum•2 days
Ole Miss AND Bama both missing the playoffs? No chance of that happening….
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