Analysts project college football playoff field before season kickoff

Experts are releasing preseason projections for the College Football Playoff as the season opens on September 2, 2026. These forecasts serve as an evaluation of team strength and potential success across the competitive before any games have been played. While the CFP structure remains a primary focal point for programs and spectators alike, these predictions remain subjective assessments made by analysts. The process of identifying playoff participants will officially commence with the start of the regular season schedule. Fans and stakeholders monitor these rankings to gauge the initial outlook for various collegiate programs. No results have been established yet, as the season is just beginning its opening week.

• 1:17 PMESPN — College Football Playoff preseason predictions