League: NCAAF Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Missouri, Iowa, UNLV among teams eyeing first CFP appearance in 2026

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 28, 2026, 12:56 PM

Last updated Jul 28, 2026

Missouri, Iowa, UNLV among teams eyeing first CFP appearance in 2026

Summary

Several college football programs are positioning themselves for potential first-time berths in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff in 2026. Teams like Missouri, Iowa, and UNLV are highlighted due to their strong recent performances and recruitment efforts. Missouri aims to leverage its competitive SEC schedule after finishing 8-5 in 2025, while Iowa seeks to enhance its offensive consistency to complement its elite defense after a 9-4 campaign. UNLV, with a 10-4 record, targets the Group of 6 automatic playoff berth by strengthening its defense under head coach Dan Mullen. Each program's success in the upcoming season could pave the way for their historic playoff appearances.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Missouri finished 2025 with an 8-5 record amid a tough schedule.
•Iowa aims for playoff contention by improving its offense alongside a strong defense.
•UNLV seeks Group of 6 automatic bid after a 10-4 season under Dan Mullen.
•The expanded playoff format increases chances for previously overlooked programs.
•Success in upcoming matches could lead to historic CFP appearances for these teams.

Latest Updates