NCAAF · 1 hour ago

ESPN’s 12 Teams That Boosted Their College Football Playoff Hopes

Danny Mogollon

Host · Writer

Did ESPN Miss Anyone?
That wraps up the top 10, which features both teams from last year's National Championship Game, and six programs that were in the College Football Playoff. Potential new party crashers? Texas and Notre Dame, the last teams out, as well as Michigan and LSU, have new leadership on the sidelines.

Conference Breakdown
- ACC (1) - Miami
- Big Ten (5) - Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, USC
- Big 12 (1) - Texas Tech
- Group of 6 (1) - UNLV
- Independent (1) - Notre Dame
- SEC (3) - Georgia, LSU, Texas
Are there any teams missing? Tell us what you think!
A Look Ahead to 2026
The college football offseason is in full swing, and between a crazy transfer portal cycle and several incoming top recruits, multiple teams around the nation have set themselves up to make a run in 2026. Looking ahead, here's a look at 12 teams that ESPN believes improved their CFP chances drastically courtesy of their roster moves.

Obviously, games aren't won on paper, but with the additions for these doze, ESPN believes these squads took a major step in the right direction.
1) Georgia Bulldogs
Incoming Player Rankings
- 2026 Recruiting Class: No. 6
- 2026 Transfer Class Ranking: No. 22
Georgia’s path back to the College Football Playoff looks familiar. Kirby Smart stacked another top-six recruiting class to reload the high-end talent, then used the portal surgically rather than recklessly. The result is a roster built to win now and stay dominant, keeping the Bulldogs squarely in the 2026 CFP hunt.

Georgia FBS Championship Winner Odds

FanDual +1000 | Odds Ranking: 6 (Feb 23)

Notable Additions:
- DL Amaris Williams (Transfer Portal)
- WR Isiah Canion (Transfer Portal)
- S Khalil Barnes (Transfer Portal)
- TE Kaiden Protho (Five-Star)
2) Indiana Hoosiers
Incoming Player Rankings
- 2026 Recruiting Class: No. 28
- 2026 Transfer Class Ranking: No. 3
Fresh off winning a national championship, Curt Cignetti wasted no time reshaping Indiana’s roster for the future. A top-three transfer class gives the Hoosiers immediate, proven production, while a top-30 recruiting haul adds stability behind it. That blend of momentum and roster overhaul has Indiana trending toward legitimate 2026 CFP contention.

Indiana FBS Championship Winner Odds

FanDual +700 | Odds Ranking: 2 (Feb 23)

Notable Additions:
- QB Josh Hoover (Transfer Portal)
- WR Nick Marsh (Transfer Portal)
- RB Turbo Richard (Transfer Portal)
3) Miami Hurricanes
Incoming Player Rankings
- 2026 Recruiting Class: No. 10
- 2026 Transfer Class Ranking: N/A
Coming off a national championship loss, Miami leaned into recruiting over quick fixes. Mario Cristobal’s top-10 class restocks the roster with elite, long-term talent, signaling confidence in internal development rather than portal patchwork. It’s a forward-looking approach that positions the Hurricanes to stay in the 2026 CFP mix with a deeper, more sustainable foundation.

Miami (FL) FBS Championship Winner Odds

FanDual +1400 | Odds Ranking: 7 (Feb 23)

Notable Additions:
- QB Darian Mensah (Transfer Portal)
- EDGE Damon Wilson II (Transfer Portal)
- WR Cooper Barkate (Transfer Portal)
4) Ohio State Buckeyes
Incoming Player Rankings
- 2026 Recruiting Class: No. 9
- 2026 Transfer Class Ranking: No. 5
Ryan Day attacked 2026 from both angles. A top-10 recruiting class keeps Ohio State’s talent floor sky-high, while a top-five transfer haul adds ready-made impact pieces to a roster built to contend immediately. That balance of elite prep talent and proven experience keeps the Buckeyes firmly positioned for another CFP run.

Ohio State FBS Championship Winner Odds

FanDual +700 | Odds Ranking: 2 (Feb 23)

Notable Additions:
- S Earl Little Jr. (Transfer Portal)
- DL James Smith (Transfer Portal)
- LB Qua Russaw (Transfer Portal)
- LB Cincere Johnson (Five-Star)
5) Oregon Ducks
Incoming Player Rankings
- 2026 Recruiting Class: No. 2
- 2026 Transfer Class Ranking: No. 19
Dan Lanning continued to stockpile elite talent in Eugene. A No. 2 recruiting class raises Oregon’s ceiling, while a lighter portal approach focused on fit rather than volume. The Ducks’ roster looks deeper, faster, and built for sustained success — exactly the formula needed to stay in the 2026 CFP race.

Oregon FBS Championship Winner Odds

FanDual +850 | Odds Ranking: 5 (Feb 23)

Notable Additions:
- S Koi Perich (Transfer Portal)
- QB Dylan Raiola (Transfer Portal)
- DL D'antre Robinson (Transfer Portal)
- CB Aaron Scott Jr. (Transfer Portal)
- TE Andrew Olesh (Transfer Portal)
6) Texas Tech Red Raiders
Incoming Player Rankings
- 2026 Recruiting Class: No. 13
- 2026 Transfer Class Ranking: No. 2
Joey McGuire made one of the biggest roster statements in the country. A top-two transfer class injects immediate firepower and experience, while a solid top-15 recruiting haul keeps the long-term build intact. Texas Tech looks far more dangerous heading into 2026, with a roster capable of making real CFP noise if it clicks early.

Texas Tech FBS Championship Winner Odds

FanDual +1400 | Odds Ranking: 7 (Feb 23)

Notable Additions:
- QB Brendan Sorsby (Transfer Portal)
- DL Mateen Ibirogba (Transfer Portal)
- LB Austin Romaine (Transfer Portal)
- EDGE Adam Trick (Transfer Portal)
- WR Malcolm Simmons (Transfer Portal)
- EDGE LaDamion Guyton (Five-Star)
- OT Felix Ojo (Five-Star)
7) LSU Tigers
Incoming Player Rankings
- 2026 Recruiting Class: No. 12
- 2026 Transfer Class Ranking: No. 1
Lane Kiffin wasted no time flipping the script in Baton Rouge. LSU’s No. 1 transfer class brings instant star power and proven depth, while a top-15 recruiting class keeps the talent pipeline strong. The Tigers’ roster makeover sets them up as a serious CFP contender in 2026, combining immediate impact with long-term upside.

LSU FBS Championship Winner Odds

FanDual +1600 | Odds Ranking: 9 (Feb 23)

Notable Additions:
- QB Sam Leavitt (Transfer Portal)
- OT Jordan Seaton (Transfer Portal)
- EDGE Princewill Umanmielen (Transfer Portal)
- QB Husan Longstreet (Transfer Portal)
- EDGE Jordan Ross (Transfer Portal)
- WR Jayce Brown (Transfer Portal)
- IOL Devin Harper (Transfer Portal)
- DT Lamar Brown (Five-Star)
8) Michigan Wolverines
Incoming Player Rankings
- 2026 Recruiting Class: No. 11
- 2026 Transfer Class Ranking: No. 9
Michigan enters 2026 in transition — but one that could pay big dividends. With new head coach Kyle Whittingham firmly in place after his long and successful Utah tenure, the Wolverines have posted a strong recruiting class (No. 11) and backed it up with a top‑10 transfer haul. Whittingham leveraged his established connections to secure impact transfers while retaining key high school talent, giving Michigan both experienced contributors and fresh playmaking prospects. That balanced roster rebuild under a seasoned leader helps keep the Wolverines in the CFP conversation despite the coaching shakeup.

Michigan FBS Championship Winner Odds

FanDual +4500 | Odds Ranking: 15 (Feb 23)

Notable Additions:
- EDGE John Henry Daley (Transfer Portal)
- CB Smith Snowden (Transfer Portal)
- WR JJ Buchanan (Transfer Portal)
- ATH Salesi Moah (Transfer Portal)
- RB Taylor Tatum (Transfer Portal)
- EDGE Carter Meadows (Five-Star)
9) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Incoming Player Rankings
- 2026 Recruiting Class: No. 4
- 2026 Transfer Class Ranking: No. 15
Notre Dame is quietly setting itself up for a big 2026. A top‑5 recruiting class ensures elite incoming talent, while a top‑15 transfer class adds depth and experience where it counts. The Irish are blending high-end prospects with proven contributors, giving them a roster that can compete at the highest level and keep CFP hopes alive.

Notre Dame FBS Championship Winner Odds

FanDual +650 | Odds Ranking: 1 (Feb 23)

Notable Additions:
- WR Quincy Porter (Transfer Portal)
- DL Francis Brewu (Transfer Portal)
- DL Tionne Gray (Transfer Portal)
- CB Jayden Sanders (Transfer Portal)
- CB D.J. McKinney (Transfer Portal)
- WR Mylan Graham (Transfer Portal)
- EDGE Keon Keeley (Transfer Portal)
- LB Thomas Davis Jr. (Four-Star)
- WR Devin Fitzgerald (Four-Star)
10) Texas Longhorns
Incoming Player Rankings
- 2026 Recruiting Class: No. 3
- 2026 Transfer Class Ranking: No. 4
Steve Sarkisian put together one of the nation’s most complete roster makeovers ahead of 2026. Texas landed a No. 3 recruiting class to stack elite long‑term talent around quarterback Arch Manning, and backed it up with a No. 4 transfer haul that brings in proven playmakers at multiple spots. From five‑star signees to impact portal pieces like Cam Coleman and versatile playmakers in the backfield, the Longhorns’ blend of star power and immediate contributors gives them a real shot at crashing the College Football Playoff picture.

Texas FBS Championship Winner Odds

FanDual +700 | Odds Ranking: 2 (Feb 23)

Notable Additions:
- WR Cam Coleman (Transfer Portal)
- LB Rasheem Biles (Transfer Portal)
- OT Melvin Siani (Transfer Portal)
- RB Raleek Brown (Transfer Portal)
- RB Hollywood Smothers (Transfer Portal)
- RB Derrek Cooper (Five-Star)
11) UNLV Rebels
Incoming Player Rankings
- 2026 Recruiting Class: No. 58
- 2026 Transfer Class Ranking: N/A
Among ESPN's dozen programs that have boosted their CFP chances, UNLV is the lone non-power four team to make the list. This doesn't mean the Rebels are among the 12 most improved teams, since, as a G6 team, they don't have to rank in the top 12 to make the playoffs. If Jackson Arnold, once thought to be the answer at Oklahoma and Auburn, finds his footing as Dan Mullen's QB, the Rebs could break through.

UNLV FBS Championship Winner Odds

FanDual +100000 | Odds Ranking: 50 (Feb 23)

Notable Additions:

QB Jackson Arnold (Transfer Portal)
TE Keyan Burnett (Transfer Portal)
S Landyn Cleveland (Transfer Portal)
WR Troy Stellato (Transfer Portal)
WR Jesse Harden (Three-Star)
12) USC Trojans
Incoming Player Rankings

2026 Recruiting Class: No. 1
2026 Transfer Class Ranking: N/A

USC doubled down on elite talent for 2026, topping the recruiting rankings with a No. 1 class. Without leaning on the transfer portal, the Trojans are betting on high-end recruits to step in and make an immediate impact. It’s a pure, talent-driven approach that keeps USC in the CFP conversation while building for sustained dominance in the years ahead.

USC FBS Championship Winner Odds

FanDual +4000 | Odds Ranking: 14 (Feb 23)

Notable Additions:

CB Jontez Williams (Transfer Portal)
WR Terrell Anderson (Transfer Portal)
EDGE Zuriah Fisher (Transfer Portal)
OT Keenyi Pepe (Five-Star)
EDGE Luke Wafle (Five-Star)
FBS Championship Winner Odds
FanDuel Champion Winner 2026-27 (Feb 23)
- Notre Dame +650
- Indiana +700
- Ohio State +700
- Texas +700
- Oregon +850
- Georgia +1000
- Miami (FL) +1400
- Texas Tech +1400
- LSU +1600
- Texas A&M +1600
- Alabama +2700
- Oklahoma +3000
- Ole Miss +3000
- USC +4000
- Michigan +4500
Did ESPN Miss Anyone?
That wraps up the top 10, which features both teams from last year's National Championship Game, and six programs that were in the College Football Playoff. Potential new party crashers? Texas and Notre Dame, the last teams out, as well as Michigan and LSU, have new leadership on the sidelines.

Conference Breakdown
- ACC (1) - Miami
- Big Ten (5) - Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, USC
- Big 12 (1) - Texas Tech
- Group of 6 (1) - UNLV
- Independent (1) - Notre Dame
- SEC (3) - Georgia, LSU, Texas
Are there any teams missing? Tell us what you think!
A Look Ahead to 2026
The college football offseason is in full swing, and between a crazy transfer portal cycle and several incoming top recruits, multiple teams around the nation have set themselves up to make a run in 2026. Looking ahead, here's a look at 12 teams that ESPN believes improved their CFP chances drastically courtesy of their roster moves.

Obviously, games aren't won on paper, but with the additions for these doze, ESPN believes these squads took a major step in the right direction.