As kickoff for the 2026 college football season draws near, ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) supercomputer simulated thousands of regular-season scenarios to project the final 12-team College Football Playoff bracket. Stripping away subjective voter bias and preseason hype, the algorithm evaluated per-play efficiency, roster talent, and schedule difficulty to calculate every program's exact postseason odds. We expanded our master index to power rank the top 30 teams most likely to crash the playoff party. From top-tier titans like Ohio State, Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Oregon leading the field, to dark horses and Group-of-Five contenders like Boise State, Utah, South Carolina, Florida State, and Virginia lurking on the bubble, we break down every program's FPI profile, projected record, and postseason odds. Check out our complete 30-team playoff projection to see where your team stands.

ESPN Ranks Top 50 College Football Teams With a Chance to Make CFP Going Into Week 9

As the 2026 college football season approaches, USA TODAY Sports assembled a 10-voter panel to power rank the top 25 head coaches in the country. Following a chaotic expanded playoff season and a wild coaching carousel, the master list features major shifts across every power conference. From established heavyweights holding down the top tier to rising program builders like Rhett Lashlee, Jon Sumrall, Clark Lea, Josh Heupel, and Sonny Dykes cracking the rankings, we break down every coach's career record, key achievements, and 2026 outlook. Check out our full 25-coach power rankings to see where your team's leader sits.

USA TODAY's Top 25 College Football Coaches: Records Going Into Week 9

Miami stays unbeaten after crushing Pitt, while Indiana, Georgia, Ohio State and Notre Dame round out a top five shaping the national title race ahead.

College Football Top Five: Miami Claims the No. 1 Spot

In the mega-expanded Big Ten, having an elite mind on the sidelines is the ultimate difference between contending for a national championship and scrambling for bowl eligibility. USA Today ran a comprehensive audit to rank every single Big Ten head coach heading into the 2026 season. From Curt Cignetti crowning an incredible national title run in Bloomington to top Ryan Day and Dan Lanning, to blockbuster moves like Kyle Whittingham taking over Michigan and Matt Campbell landing at Penn State, we break down the entire 18-team hierarchy. Check out our complete tactical breakdown to see where your favorite team's head coach lands entering 2026.

USA Today's Big Ten College Football Head Coaches Ranked 1-18: Going Into Week 8

USA Today's Big Ten Starting Quarterback Rankings: Going Into Week 8

Ranking The Top 24 College Quarterbacks Right Now: Going into Week 8

ESPN Predicts the Record for All 18 Big Ten Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 8

ESPN Ranks College Football's 20 1-Loss Teams by Most Likely to Make the College Football Playoff

LATEST Jaylen McClain NEWS

Miami remains No. 1 as strength of schedule shapes the rankings, UCLA stays unbeaten, and NIL-driven parity shakes up college football&#039;s top teams this season.

College Football Rankings: Miami Leads, UCLA Rises

Miami stakes its claim to No. 1 after a dominant win over Pitt, while BYU, Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Tennessee and Houston tumble in a truly chaotic weekend.

Miami Rises to No. 1 as College Football Playoff Rankings Heat Up

Miami merits the No. 1 ranking with elite talent on offense and defense, but questions remain over whether the Hurricanes truly stand far above every rival.

Is No. 1 Miami Really College Football's Best Team?

Dave shares Week 8 college football picks: Tennessee, Michigan-Indiana under, Utah-Houston over, and New Mexico to cover at home against North Dakota State.

Week 8 College Football Best Bets and Betting Picks

LATEST VIDEOS

View the profile of Ohio State Buckeyes SAF Jaylen McClain on SportsGrid. Get the latest news, stats, player prop picks, related players, and more on SportsGrid.com.

description

keywords

twitter:card

Jaylen McClain | Ohio State Buckeyes | SAF | SportsGrid.com

twitter:title

twitter:description

https://app.sportsgrid.com/assets/images/og-logo_640x334.png

twitter:image

google

og:locale

og:site_name

og:type

og:title

og:description

og:image

og:image:type

og:image:width

og:image:height

og:image:secure_url

article:published_time

article:modified_time

LATEST Jaylen McClain

HT/WT

Birthplace

Class

#8 · OSU · SAF

Jaylen McClain

Jaylen McClain BIO

Seth McLaughlin

Jace Middleton

Mason Maggs

George Fitzpatrick

Jakob James

Luke Montgomery

Ja'Had Carter

Collin Johnson

Nolan Baudo

Cameron Kittle

Jaylen McClain is a SAF for the Ohio State Buckeyes in the NCAAF.

Ohio State Buckeyes

NCAAF

&quot;This is where I want to be&quot;: Riley answers the noise head-on

Reclaiming the night: Nike After Dark gives women a space to run freely

Bob Chesney is building something in UCLA... and he isn&#39;t going anywhere

Malik Beasley Case Fuels Calls for NBA Prop Bet Caps

Predicting the 12-Team College Football Playoff Field Going Into Week 9

NBA Injury Strategy & Playoff Seeding Reform Ideas

Can OKC Remain an NBA Title Contender After Injuries?

HEADLINES

Jaylen Brown-Jayson Tatum Feud Rekindles Celtics Drama

Phoenix Suns' Slow Start: Is It Too Early to Panic?

Anthony Edwards Knee Injury Shakes Timberwolves' Start

Lakers vs. Trail Blazers Betting Odds & Picks Analysis

Rays Player Props: Back Caminero and Diaz in Game 4

MLB Lockout Debate: Salary Caps, Floors and Contracts

World Series Hitter Props: Contreras & Turang Lines

Pitching Props: Jax & May Strikeout Unders Tonight

Week 8 Fantasy Waiver Wire: Jonah Coleman, Omar Cooper Jr., Kaelon Black, Geno Smith, Chig Okonkwo and MORE

NFL Officiating Woes: Why the Game Needs a Fixing!

Is Jalen Hurts the Eagles' QB in 2027? Tough Questions Ahead!

Seahawks Land Quenton Nelson: Trade Impact Revealed

ESPN Ranks Top 27 College Football Teams With Best Chance to Win the Natty Going Into Week 9

Kings smother Rangers 6-3 for third win in four games

Kings coach Laviolette reflects upon return to New York

TST Best Bets: October 26, 2026

TST Images: Gulls defeat Barracuda, 4-1, at Pechanga Arena

Ranking the Top 20 Players in College Basketball Right Now

UNLV returns to &#39;Hardway Eight&#39; mode in 89-77 exhibition loss to BYU

Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas lead No. 21 USC past San Diego State in 85-68 exhibition win

TST Images: USC defeats San Diego State, 85-68, in San Diego

NCAAB

UFC's Paramount Deal and Its Waning Combat Sports Edge

Alexander Volkanovski Eyes Final UFC Fight Before Retirement

UFC Fighters Enter Real American Freestyle Wrestling

Mastering Your Golf Swing: Michael Brennan's Power & Precision

Improving Your Putting: Insights from Michael Brennan

Playing Augusta: Michael Brennan's Epic Day with Rory McIlroy

Mastering the Drive: Michael Brennan's Major Championship Success

Michael Brennan's Recent Fall Surge: PGA Tour Success!

Small-Market World Series Reshapes MLB Labor Talks

Bobby Valentine Praises Brewers' Old-School Baseball

MORE

Expert picks & analysis

Game Picks

Head-to-head breakdowns

Matchups

Powered by SportsGrid's projections

Player Props

Prediction Market HQ

Brewers' Potential Historic Sweep

Jeremiyah Love's Fantasy Outlook Amid Ankle Woes

John Harbaugh's Coaching Job Earns NFL Praise

Christian McCaffrey Injury Outlook After 49ers Bye

Connor Hellebuyck Makes Devils Stanley Cup Contenders

SPORTSGRID SHORTS

Lakers introduce new sponsorship opportunity with Just Ingredients logo on press conference microphones

Dončić’s leadership and productivity has the Lakers thriving to start the season

Clippers drop consecutive road games following loss to Thunder

Luka Dončić flashes early-season MVP magic in road win over Jazz

NBA Futures: Predictions for Top Teams and Players This Season

Spurs Lead in Western Conference Odds Over OKC & Denver

Celtics vs. Heat: Best Betting Value to Win NBA East

NBA Futures Analysis: OKC, Spurs, & Knicks Betting Odds Breakdown

TST Best Bets: October 21, 2026

Knicks Backed to Rebound vs. Pistons Amid Title Hangover

NBA Standings Shockers and Rising Player Injury Risks

Lakers vs. Trail Blazers: What to watch in unbeaten matchup

Knicks Struggle, Heat Betting Risks & Early-Season Slumps

LeBron James, Athlete Activism and the Jordan Legacy

NBA Opening Night Blowouts Fuel Regular-Season Backlash

Can Damian Lillard Help Ja Morant Unlock Portland's Potential?

Angels decline Kurt Suzuki’s managerial option

TST Best Bets: October 16, 2026

Dodgers&#39; historic three-peat dream is over, ending a golden era in Los Angeles

Miguel Rojas announces retirement after Brewers sweep Dodgers in NLCS

Potential Brewers vs. Rays World Series Odds & Predictions

Brewers replace Dodgers as World Series favorites after taking 2-0 NLCS lead

The Dynamics of a Potential Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS

MLB Futures Ods: Updated Markets After Wildcard Rounds

World Series Game 3 Odds: Tampa Bay vs. Milwaukee Preview

Nick Martinez and Long-Shot MVP Bets for Tampa Bay

Dodgers vs. Brewers Pitching Props: Snell vs. Gasser

TST Best Bets: October 14, 2026

Can the Tampa Bay Rays Rally Against the Milwaukee Brewers?

Brewers Near Sweep as Tampa Bay Seeks Historic Comeback

Yankees Put Boone on Notice as Cashman Shapes Future

Can the Rays Regain Their Magic After Falling Behind 0-3?

USA TODAY's 2027 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: 32 First Round Picks

CBS Sports 2027 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: First Round Picks 1-32

ESPN's 2027 NFL First Round Mock Draft 1.0: Picks 1-32

Bleacher Report 2027 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: 32 First Round Picks

Cleveland Browns Playoff Odds: Bet the AFC North Run?

AFC North Betting: Sell Steelers, Trust Joe Burrow?

ESPN Predicts the 14-Team NFL Playoff Field Right Now: Going Into Week 7

Predicting the 8 NFL Division Winners Right Now: Going Into Week 7

Chuba Hubbard Leads Top NFL Touchdown Scorer Picks

NFL Sunday Prop Bets: Bowers, Gordon, Douglas and Mason

Malik Washington Over 4.5 Receptions: Top Plus-Money Bet

Chiefs vs. Seahawks: Best Bets & Sunday Night Under

Eagles' Future at Stake: Nick Sirianni's Coaching Under Fire

Top 5 NFL Teams After Week 7: Insights from Dan Sileo

Cowboys Beat Eagles as Dak Prescott Backs Schottenheimer

Did Seattle Reveal the Blueprint to Beat the Chiefs?

ESPN Ranks College Football's 3 Unbeaten Teams by Most Likely to Make the CFP Going Into Week 9

Phil Steele's Top 12 College Football Surprise Teams: Going Into Week 9

ESPN Ranks College Football's 3 Undefeated Teams by Strength of Schedule Right Now

ESPN Predicts the Final Record For All 16 SEC Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 8

College Football Playoff Chaos as Texas Doubts Grow

ESPN Ranks College Football's 36 2-Loss Teams by Most Likely to Make the CFP

Josh Hoover Passing Prop and Indiana-Michigan Best Bets

Ole Miss vs. Texas Picks: Back the Rebels in Austin

College Football Picks: Miami, Georgia and Top Props

Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith Now the Heisman Trophy Favorite

Utah vs. Houston Preview: Bet the Over in Big 12 Shootout

Ducks, Carlsson spark comeback in Philly, snap 5-game losing streak

DAZN has bigger ambitions in U.S. sports as LA Kings partnership opens door to regional expansion

Ranking the 15 Worst NHL Free Agency Signings of the 2026 Offseason

Ducks bedeviled again on the road, drop 5th straight

2027 Stanley Cup Odds: Colorado, Vegas, and Edmonton Lead Pack

Conn Smythe Market Prices: Mitch Marner Heads to the Top

Stanley Cup Showdown: Vegas vs. Carolina for the Title

Carolina and Vegas Favorites for Stanley Cup Showdown

TST Best Bets: October 22, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 20, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 19, 2026

Flaws showing as Golden Knights fall to Blue Jackets in OT

Cooper Black to Become Tallest Goalie in NHL History

Tkachuk Brothers Make NHL History on Wild Hockey Night

Edmonton Oilers Struggle Defensively, Lose to Canucks

2026-27 NHL Season Begins: Key Teams and Betting Tips

Ranking the Top 20 5th-Year College Basketball Players Who Could Return for 2026

Jaylen McClain

#8 · OSU · SAF

HT/WT

6’0”, 203 lbs

Birthplace

Rahway, NJ, USA

Class

Junior

LATEST Jaylen McClain NEWS

EDITOR'S PICKS