Dusty Dvoracek Reveals His 2026 College Football National Championship Pick

ESPN analyst Dusty Dvoracek believes this powerhouse is due its first national championship victory in nearly four decades.

SEC Network commentator Dusty Dvoracek talks during a press conference before a celebration for OU joining the Southeastern Conference in Norman, Okla., Monday, July 1, 2024. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Big Ten is hoping to extend its reign of dominance to four consecutive national championships in 2026.

Two of the conference's last three national champions, Indiana and Ohio State, are well-positioned to win it all once again. Additionally, Oregon hopes to put an end to conversations about its inability to win national championships with one of college football's most experienced rosters.

Former Oklahoma defensive lineman and ESPN college football analyst Dusty Dvoracek was asked about the Big Ten's recent success before he made his 2026 national championship prediction on ESPN's "Get Up." Dvoracek acknowledged the Big Ten's reign of supremacy, but he predicted the 2026 national champion to come from outside of the conference.

"I'm all in on the (Fighting) Irish this season," Dvoracek said. "I think this is Notre Dame's year. Last year, they were just left out. Marcus Freeman's mantra for this year: leave no doubt. I love the line of scrimmage; this is an elite defense, and I think CJ Carr is a star."

Why is Notre Dame well-positioned for a national championship in 2026?

Dvoracek outlined many of the key pieces across the Fighting Irish's roster as reasons for their high ceiling. Carr has been lauded in Heisman Trophy and NFL draft conversations alike, and the defense is littered with NFL talent that returned from the 2025 team.

Additionally, Notre Dame is fueled by the disappointment of their exclusion from the College Football Playoff last season. The Fighting Irish's only two losses in 2025 were at the beginning of the season against a pair of College Football Playoff participants in Miami and Texas A&M, and they came within three points in each of those losses.

The Fighting Irish are seeking their first national title since 1988

Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Manti Te'o (5) prior to the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Alabama won 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Notre Dame's national championship under Lou Holtz was earned 10 years prior to the inception of national championship games.

The Fighting Irish have reached a pair of national championship games and lost each time. The first was the penultimate BCS National Championship Game against Alabama to end the 2012 season. Following a flawless regular season, Notre Dame fell flat in a 42-14 loss to the Crimson Tide.

Notre Dame's most recent appearance in a national championship was in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Ohio State scored 31 consecutive points from the beginning of the second quarter to the middle of the third quarter en route to a 34-23 victory over the Fighting Irish.