2025-2026 Preseason College Football Playoff Predictions, Bracket, and National Championship Pick

There should mostly be familiar faces in this season's College Football Playoff mix. 

Unlike last year when we knew as a stone-cold fact that Ohio State was going to win the national title over Georgia - okay, so that didn't totally work out as expected - this year is more of a true guess with at least eight teams we could've picked to win it all.

Once we see it clearly - like in 2023, when it became obvious early that it was Michigan's year - we'll adjust on the fly.

2025-2026 Bowl Projections
December 15 to 24 Bowls
December 26 to 29 Bowls
December 26 to January 2 Bowls 

College Football Playoff First Round

Friday, December 19, 2025
Time TBD
Home site of higher seed
Last Season: Notre Dame 27, Indiana 17

Preseason CFP Projection
(12) Clemson (10-3) at (5) Utah (11-2)

College Football Playoff First Round

Saturday, December 20, 2025
Time TBD
Home site of higher seed
Last Season: Texas 38, Clemson 24

Preseason CFP Projection
(11) Boise State (12-1) at (6) Ohio State (10-3)

College Football Playoff First Round

Saturday, December 20, 2025
Time TBD
Home site of higher seed
Last Season: Penn State 38, SMU 10

Preseason CFP Projection
(10) Alabama (10-2) at (7) LSU Tigers (10-3)

College Football Playoff First Round

Saturday, December 20, 2025
Time TBD
Home site of higher seed
Last Season: Ohio State 42, Tennessee 17

Preseason CFP Projection
(9) Oregon (10-2) at (8) Georgia Bulldogs (10-2)

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

Wednesday, December 31, 2025
7:30, ESPN
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Last Season: Ohio State 28, Texas 14 (CFP Semifinal)
2023 Season: Oregon 45, Liberty 6

Preseason CFP Bowl Projection
(8) Georgia vs (4) Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1)

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Capital One Orange Bowl

Thursday, January 1, 2025
12:00, ESPN
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Bowl Affiliations: ACC
Last Season: Notre Dame 27, Penn State 24 (CFP Semifinal)
2023 Season: Ole Miss 38, Penn State 25

Preseason CFP Bowl Projection
(10) Alabama vs (3) Miami Hurricanes (11-2)

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential

Thursday, January 1, 2025
4:00, ESPN
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Bowl Affiliations: Big Ten
Last Season: Ohio State 41, Oregon 21 (CFP Quarterfinal)
2023 Season: Michigan 27, Alabama 20 OT

Preseason CFP Bowl Projection
(5) Utah vs (1) Penn State Nittany Lions (12-1)

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Allstate Sugar Bowl

Thursday, January 1, 2025
8:00, ESPN
Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Bowl Affiliations: Big 12 or SEC (higher ranked champion)
Last Season: Notre Dame 23, Georgia 10 (CFN Quarterfinal)
2023 Season: Washington 37, Texas 31

Preseason CFP Bowl Projection
(6) Ohio State vs (2) Texas Longhorns (11-2)

College Football Playoff Semifinal Vrbo Fiesta Bowl

Thursday, January 8, 2026
7:30, ESPN
State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Bowl Affiliations: 1/8/9 seed vs 4/5/12 seed or 3/6/11 seed vs 2/7/10 seed
Last Season: Penn State 31, Boise State 14 (CFP Quarterfinal)
2023 Season: Georgia 63, Florida State 3

Preseason CFP Bowl Projection
(10) Alabama vs (4) Notre Dame

College Football Playoff Semifinal Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

Friday, January 9, 2026
7:30, ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Bowl Affiliations: 1/8/9 seed vs 4/5/12 seed or 3/6/11 seed vs 2/7/10 seed
Last Season: Texas 39, Arizona State 31 2OT (CFP Quarterfinal)
2023 Season: Missouri 14, Ohio State 3

Preseason CFP Bowl Projection
(6) Ohio State vs (1) Penn State

College Football Playoff National Championship

Monday, January 19, 2026
7:30, ESPN
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Last Season: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23
2023 Season: Michigan 34, Washington 13

Preseason CFP Bowl Projection
(6) Ohio State Buckeyes vs (4) Notre Dame

2025-2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Preseason Pick
Notre Dame Fighting Irish

2025-2026 Bowl Projections
December 15 to 24 Bowls
December 26 to 29 Bowls
December 26 to January 2 Bowls