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There were eight different teams in the 12-team College Football Playoff field in 2025. James Madison (12), Tulane (11), Miami (10), Alabama (9), Oklahoma (8), Texas A&M (7), Ole Miss (6) and Texas Tech (4) were all new faces in the CFP in 2025. Only Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia and Oregon were repeat seeds from the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff. 

This year, we're expected to see some new faces, once again, in the playoff field, but the question is, who will they be? PFF took a look at some potential candidates that could make their first College Football Playoff appearance this fall and two of the opponents are on Notre Dame's 2026 regular season schedule. 

BYU COUGARS

"BYU came close to reaching its first playoff last season before falling to an outstanding Texas Tech team in the Big 12 championship game," Daire Carragher of PFF explained. "Texas Tech has had to replace significant pieces from its conference-winning roster, but BYU has retained much of the nucleus of a team that won 12 games last year. The return of running back LJ Martin gives the Cougars a key weapon to build around.

"Martin is the only returning FBS back to rush for over 1,300 yards last season without putting the ball on the ground once," Carragher continued. "Continuity is often one of the biggest advantages in the modern transfer portal era. The BYU defense forced the most throwaways of any unit in college football last season. The Big 12’s door is wide open for a team like BYU to reach the conference final in Dallas again this year, hoping to take things one step further." 

Martin isn't the only player in the Cougar's backfield that impact BYU's season on offense. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier returns to Provo for his sophomore season after throwing for over 3,000 yards and accounting for 26 total touchdowns as a freshman in 2025. BYU also returns arguably the No. 1 cornerback duo in the Big 12 with Evan Johnson and Therrian Alexander back in the defensive lineup this fall as well. The Cougars will be the toughest road matchup for the Fighting Irish this fall. 

NAVY MIDSHIPMEN

"The current playoff format guarantees at least one Group of Five representative every season, making Navy's road clearer than it might initially appear," Carragher stated. "Boise State set the precedent as the first Group of Five program to qualify by way of the new method introduced in 2024. The Broncos are right back in the mix again this time around, but Navy. currently sits alongside conference rival UTSA as the second favorites in the betting markets. UNLV also figures to be in the mix in a new-look Mountain West.

"Service academies have always been capable of frustrating more talented opponents, and Navy has quietly built enough momentum to believe this season could become something far more significant," Carragher continued. "That will come despite the loss of do-it-all fullback Eli Heidenreich from the Midshipman backfield, who accounted for 57% of Navy's receiving yardage. A service academy playoff debut would represent one of the biggest stories of the 2026 college football season, and would lead to one of the most fascinating Army vs. Navy matchups in several years."

Navy has been a program that has thrived and struggled around the quarterback lining up under center. Senior Braxton Woodson was the only individual player to rush for over 100 yards against the stout Notre Dame run defense last fall. He now takes over full time under center with the departure of Blake Horvath. Woodson will be running behind an offensive line that returns four of its five starters from last season as well. There's been a new Group of Five representative in the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. Hopefully, Navy will be able to etch their names onto that list. 

PFF TOP 8 TEAMS THAT COULD MAKE THEIR FIRST CFP 

1. USC Trojans
2. BYU Cougars
3. Louisville Cardinals
4. Florida Gators
5. Missouri Tigers
6. Utah Utes
7. Houston Cougars
8. Navy Midshipmen

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