A New Champion Awaits in College Football

Tonight marks a pivotal moment in college football as the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes take on the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Hurricanes are on the brink of claiming their first national championship title in almost 25 years, while an Indiana win would showcase an impressive turnaround over two seasons.

As we anticipate this clash between two powerhouse programs, let’s consider some teams that could also be in the mix for next season and perhaps find themselves in a similar position a year from now. Many of this year’s hopefuls have already enhanced their rosters through recruitment and the transfer portal. It’s likely one of these teams might be lifting the trophy in Las Vegas next January. No specific order here, so just bear with me. Let’s get into it.

Could it be that the Texas hype was just a bit premature? The Longhorns were hailed as the top preseason team in 2025 but fell short of expectations, finishing outside the playoffs at 10-3. Arch Manning faced typical rookie challenges in his first year as a starter—he wasn’t the standout player everyone hoped for as a Heisman favorite, yet he showed noticeable growth. They still managed to beat Michigan 41-27 in the Citrus Bowl, which is something.

Manning will head back to Austin in 2026 with a year’s starting experience under his belt. He’s bringing back top receiver Ryan Wingo along with several new transfers like Cam Coleman from Auburn, running back Lareek Brown from Arizona State, and Hollywood Smothers from North Carolina State. They’ll have a shot at revenge against Ohio State when they host them in September, a win there could mean a solid path to Las Vegas.

Looking at Oregon State’s 2025 season, they had a remarkable run, winning 13 games and threatening to reach the title game. Dante Moore stepped in admirably for Dillon Gabriel, and tight end Kenyon Saddiq became a top prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft. Their front seven on defense was tough to handle, causing chaos for opposing quarterbacks. However, they faced challenges against Indiana, who handed them two losses, including a significant blowout in the Peach Bowl semifinals.

Meanwhile, the Ducks fell short of their national title aspirations again, which isn’t surprising if you know them. Moore plans to enter the NFL draft but will return next season with newfound experience. Under Dan Lanning, they’ll once again boast one of the nation’s most talented teams. The addition of Minnesota transfer Koi Perich could be a game-changer in their secondary. There’s a feeling 2026 might be Oregon’s time to shine.

Regardless of tonight’s outcome, Indiana is poised to remain a formidable contender. Coach Curt Cignetti has done a remarkable job assembling a competitive roster. Key players like Fernando Mendoza and Roman Hemby will need replacing, but they’ll likely manage well.

TCU’s Josh Hoover is expected to take over as quarterback for the Hoosiers next season. With two consecutive 3,000-yard seasons behind him, he’s ready to step in. Joining him in a substantial transfer class are notable names like Nick Marsh from Michigan State, AJ Harris from Penn State, and Tobi Osansanmi from Kansas State. This influx of talent might just help Indiana make some noise in the playoffs next year.

Ohio State remains a perennial powerhouse. Although they didn’t defend their title this season, they’re set to challenge for another next year. Despite completing a flawless 12-0 regular season, they stumbled against Indiana and Miami in December. Quarterback Julian Sane will likely find his rhythm, aided by talents like Jeremiah Smith and Bo Jackson, who had a solid freshman year rushing for over 1,000 yards. The future looks bright with the talent they have lined up.

Fortunately for the Buckeyes, Sane, Smith, and Jackson will return. Recruit Chris Henry Jr. aims to become their next big playmaker. On the downside, they’ll need to replace key defenders heading to the NFL. But, in Ohio, there’s always someone waiting in the wings. We can expect to hear about fresh talent next winter.

As Lincoln Riley enters his fifth year in Los Angeles, it feels like a pivotal moment for him. USC had a respectable run, finishing with nine wins and reaching the playoffs in late November, only to see hopes dashed by a 42-27 loss to Oregon. Quarterback Jaden Maiava had a solid season, especially with star Makai Lemon as his go-to target.

USC will retain most key contributors with Lemon heading to the NFL. However, they’ve added transfer Terrell Anderson from NC State, who could easily fill that gap. Their recruitment includes top tackle Keaney Pepe, who could be a starter as a true freshman. The upcoming Big Ten schedule will include tough matches against formidable opponents like Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon. If they clinch even one of those critical games and reach 10 wins, playoff contention seems attainable.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame faced elimination against Alabama this season. Their playoff hopes took a hit from narrow losses to Miami and Texas A&M, forcing them to skip a bowl game. It’s a bit disappointing that Heisman finalist Jeremiah Love won’t get to showcase his talents again before heading to the NFL Draft.

The encouraging news for the Irish is that finishing in the top 12 essentially secures a playoff chance next season. With Marcus Freeman at the helm, he’s eager to prove himself. Quarterback CJ Carr is set to return, and Notre Dame aims to attract top talent from high school and the transfer portal. They won’t be fading into the background anytime soon, and with a favorable schedule, they should be in playoff contention.

As we move towards the conclusion of this season, Georgia is likely to find themselves competing at a high level yet again, although not much more needs to be said about their dominance. They’ll probably face Texas in the SEC Championship, making their playoff path clear.

The latter part of the regular season was characterized by Lane Kiffin’s departure from Ole Miss to LSU, creating a buzz around his first season in Baton Rouge, which is expected to bear scrutiny. With LSU offering a significant NIL budget of $25 million to $30 million, they successfully acquired top transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt. Additional transfers, like edge rusher Jordan Ross from Tennessee, should also make an immediate impact.

Kiffin’s mission is clear: win quickly, and be in the playoff mix by the time they finish their season against Arkansas. LSU could change their fortunes if Leavitt performs well, just like Arizona State’s Jaden Daniels did in his breakthrough seasons.

With a 12-team playoff format, there’s more opportunity for less recognized teams to shine. I’m going to step out there and say Houston might just surprise everyone in 2026. Head coach Willie Fritz made significant strides in his second season, achieving 10 wins and securing a victory over LSU. There’s a buzz around finding the next top-tier coach, and Fritz might just be that guy.

Quarterback Connor Weigman is expected to come back strong next season, alongside top receiver Amare Thomas. A highly impactful move might be the addition of former Tulane running back Maki Hughes, who’s reuniting with Fritz after a challenging stint at Oregon. With the potential risks and rewards, investing in Houston now might yield great dividends in the near future.