While American sports fans were treated to a large portion of the world’s biggest sports event, the FIFA World Cup, over the summer, you can be sure that plenty of fans had one eye kept firmly on late August and early September for the beginning of the football (of the American kind) season.
Both the NFL and NCAAF college football seasons will get underway in a few weeks, giving fans a feast of football over the fall and winter. While the NFL gets most of the international attention, the college football program is similarly revered in the United States, and the action is certainly just as explosive.
But who is likely to make it to the Championship Game? Who will define the narrative of the season? Let’s dive in with the eight most likely contenders:
Ohio State Buckeyes
The current favorites for the college football national championship, with odds of +600 cited here. The Buckeyes are boosted due to bringing back some key pieces from last season’s campaign, including talented QB Julian Sayin and potential superstar of the future Jeremiah Smith.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Irish look great this season, with a lot of buzz swirling around CJ Carr, who will have ambitions to lift the Heisman Trophy. While Carr catches the eye, there is a sense that Notre Dame finally has the all-round depth to compete across a grueling season.
Texas Longhorns
They are really going for it again, putting in another strong recruitment and transfer cycle. A lot of eyes will be on Arch Manning leading the offense, but will it be enough to deliver a long-awaited title for the Longhorns fans?
Oregon Ducks
The Ducks are now firmly established among the Big Ten’s best, and were the unclaimed national champions in 2024. They went 13-2 last season and can easily match – or exceed – that record in 2026. Reference video.
Indiana Hoosiers
A 16-0 record last season made the Hoosiers national champions. It was a surprise, sure, as Indiana was quoted as 100-to-one shots at one point, but the mercurial coach Curt Cignetti has transformed Hoosiers football into a powerhouse. A repeat is certainly not off the cards.
Georgia Bulldogs
The most consistent team at the elite end of college football? Much credit should go to Kirby Smart for making the Bulldogs competitive, year in, year out. It’s really just a matter of getting a bit of luck to take that big step forward from being a contender to a champion.
Miami Hurricanes
Something of an underdog, despite making the championship game last season. The Hurricanes, nevertheless, have the goods to go one better. A lot of pressure will be put on the shoulders of quarterback Darian Mensah, who looked ready for the next level when starring for Duke last season.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Under the radar last season with a brilliant 12-2 record, and probably the team that has the quality to win the championship while offering the best value in the betting odds. It’s all about the defense for the Red Raiders, who will bring back the key components of the defensive side of the roster for another crack.
