2026 preseason predictions for CFP field, Heisman Trophy winner

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After returning to the College Football Playoff (CFP) a season ago, could the Alabama Crimson Tide be back playing on the sport's biggest stage in 2026?

Yes, the Crimson Tide were back in the CFP last season, doing so for the first time under head coach Kalen DeBoer. Alabama reached the CFP Quarterfinals where they fell to eventual national champion Indiana in the Rose Bowl, and thus ended the season at 11-4 overall.

The Crimson Tide's path back to the CFP this season will be challenging yet again though, as Alabama will take road trips to Tennessee and LSU, as well as host Georgia and Texas A&M. Even despite that, Alabama is still expected to be among the SEC's top teams, and should be a CFP contender in 2026.

Similar to last season, here are is preseason prediction surrounding which teams will make the CFP this fall, as well as others such as the national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, and more.

2026 12-team CFP field prediction

Jan 17, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; The 2026 CFP logo numerals at Playoff Fan Central at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

  • Prediction:Alabama Crimson Tide, Boise State Broncos, Georgia Bulldogs, Indiana Hoosiers, Miami Hurricanes, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Ohio State Buckeyes, Oklahoma Sooners, Ole Miss Rebels, Oregon Ducks, Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders (teams listed in alphabetical order)

The CFP field this upcoming season is likely to be dominated once again by the Big Ten and SEC, with Alabama yet again expected to be among those 12 teams. This preseason prediction has five SEC teams making the CFP, three Big Ten programs, one ACC, one Big 12, one Pac-12, and one independent.

2026 CFP National Championship Game prediction

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) looks to pass over Texas Longhorns defensive back Jelani McDonald (4) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.

  • Prediction: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Texas Longhorns

After missing the CFP entirely a year ago, Texas is the preseason pick to make it to the national championship game where it will be a SEC vs. Big Ten battle against Ohio State, two teams that will also meet this season during Week 2. Both the Buckeyes and Longhorns have loaded rosters headlined by some of college football's top players such as Jeremiah Smith, Cam Coleman, Julian Sayin, and Arch Manning.

2026 CFP national champion prediction

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.

  • Prediction: Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State was one of college football's top teams a year ago, but were upset in the CFP Quarterfinals as the No. 2 seed. The Buckeyes are loaded in 2026 led by a pair of Heisman Trophy contenders, and will be a prominent pick to win their second CFP national championship in the last three years.

2026 Heisman Trophy finalists prediction

Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) warms up before the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

  • Prediction: Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State Buckeyes, Wide Receiver), Julian Sayin (Ohio State Buckeyes, Quarterback), Gunner Stockton (Georgia Bulldogs, Quarterback), Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss Rebels, Quarterback)

When looking back at last season's Heisman voting, four of the Top 10 from a year ago are back in Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin, Georgia's Gunner Stockton, and Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss. Each of those names will be players to watch for, as are other quarterbacks such as Notre Dame's CJ Carr and Miami's Darian Mensah, among others.

2026 Heisman Trophy winner prediction

Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

  • Prediction: Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss Rebels, Quarterback)

Chambliss finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting a year ago, and returns for the Rebels this fall after leading the SEC with 3,937 passing yards in 2025. Ole Miss should have one of the SEC's top scoring offenses this season, and if the Rebels were to rank among the nation's top teams this fall as expected, then Chambliss will likely have a case to be made for college football's top individual award.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: 2026 preseason predictions for CFP field, Heisman Trophy winner

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