Updated College Football Playoff odds & prediction after Week 0
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College football returns for its first full week of action in Week 1, but several teams already pulled off important wins in Week 0 to boost their College Football Playoff odds.
North Carolina and USC both earned big wins to kickoff the 2026 season. However, national title hopefuls like Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Texas receive their first chances to perform starting in September.
ESPN releases its Allstate Playoff Predictor percentages throughout the college football season. Their odds after Week 0 don’t have many surprises, but that could very easily change with some big matchups this weekend.
The network’s odds and predictions currently have 13 schools with a 25 percent chance or greater to make the 2026 CFP. However, only 12 teams are eligible to reach the playoff based on the sport’s current postseason system.
MORE: Stephen A. Smith targets ESPN’s College GameDay as next conquest
College Football Playoff odds after Week 0
All eyes will be on top players like Arch Manning, CJ Carr and Dante Moore entering Week 1. All three of their respective programs, Texas, Notre Dame and Oregon, are considered national championship contenders.
Meanwhile, there are several critical ranked matchups that can influence the CFP odds right out of the gate. That includes Lane Kiffin’s first game in charge at LSU with a battle against Dabo Swinney and Clemson.
The hopes are high to reach the CFP 🏆
Thirteen teams enter Week 1 with at least a 25% chance to reach the Playoff according to the Allstate Playoff Predictor.
USC saw its chance to reach the Playoff drop from 28% to 16% after a narrower-than-expected Week 0 win over San Jose… pic.twitter.com/tAlOeFejbK
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) September 1, 2026
- Ohio State Buckeyes – 76%
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish – 75%
- Texas Longhorns – 70%
- Oregon Ducks – 66%
- Georgia Bulldogs – 65%
- Miami Hurricanes – 64%
- Indiana Hoosiers – 58%
- Texas Tech Red Raiders – 57%
- Alabama Crimson Tide – 42%
- LSU Tigers – 41%
Honorable mentions: Texas A&M Aggies, Oklahoma Sooners, BYU Cougars, Michigan Wolverines
MORE: Stock up, stock down from college football Week 0
Biggest Week 1 college football matchups
- Clemson vs. 11 LSU
- 24 Louisville vs. 9 Ole Miss
- Wisconsin vs. 4 Notre Dame
- Baylor vs. Auburn
- 19 SMU vs. Florida State
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