Two Historic College Football Programs Lead Expert Picks to Reach 2026 CFP Final Four

Analysts favor two college football bluebloods to reach next year's CFP semifinals.

Two programs were highlighted by CBS Sports as frontrunners to make a deep playoff run in next year's College Football Playoff. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

College football analysts are identifying the programs most likely to dominate the postseason in 2026. Two historic teams have emerged as the favorites to reach the final stages of the national playoff.

In a recent poll conducted by CBS Sports, both Notre Dame and Ohio State earned nine votes from a panel of 11 experts to reach the College Football Playoff semifinals. This consensus separates the Irish and Buckeyes from the rest of the national field.

The projections are based on current roster stability in South Bend and Columbus. Coaches Marcus Freeman and Ryan Day have built programs that national analysts believe will outlast their conference and independent rivals.

Notre Dame football spring preview

Notre Dame enters the 2026 season with a roster ranked third nationally by 247Sports, featuring 27 signees and four five-star recruits. Head coach Marcus Freeman’s class is headlined by 6-foot-4, 227-pound edge rusher Rodney Dunham and safety Joey O'Brien.

The Irish are also integrating significant talent from the transfer portal to address immediate depth needs. The defensive line added former Alabama edge Keon Keeley and Oregon defensive tackle Tionne Gray, a 336-pound interior lineman.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) warms up before the start of the first quarter against the Stanford Cardinal. | Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

In the receiving corps, Notre Dame added former Ohio State wideouts Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham via the portal. Porter is projected to replace Malachi Fields at the X receiver position following Fields' departure for the NFL.

The 2026 spring sessions have prioritized developing the offensive line to protect sophomore quarterback CJ Carr. Running back Javian Osborne is expected to take a primary role in the backfield as veterans Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are looking like first-round picks in this year's draft.

Recruiting analysts at Blue and Gold note that the program’s 2024 and 2025 classes are expected to reach peak production this season. This depth is a primary factor in the Irish being selected for the Final Four by nearly 82 percent of the CBS expert panel.

Ohio State football spring preview

The Buckeyes must find a new anchor in their defensive front now that unanimous All-American Kayden McDonald is gone. The interior defensive line now relies on Alabama transfer James Smith and UCF transfer John Walker to fill the vacancy. On offense, one player turning heads during spring practice is true freshman wide receiver Legend Bey.

Roster stability is anchored by fifth-year senior Kenyatta Jackson Jr., the only remaining member of the 2022 recruiting class. Jackson returned for his final season after recording 28 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks during the 2025 campaign.

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin throws for teammates during Pro Day for NFL scouts. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ohio State also retained three critical starters on the offensive line who declined early NFL entry. Center Carson Hinzman, left tackle Austin Siereveld, and guard Luke Montgomery return to protect junior quarterback Julian Sayin.

The defensive secondary features returning starters Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Jaylen McClain. Mathews finished 2025 with 26 tackles and two interceptions while rotating at both nickel and outside corner.

Athlon Sports identified safety depth as a secondary concern, leading the coaching staff to evaluate Duke transfer Terry Moore. The Buckeyes' ability to retain veteran starters across both lines of scrimmage remains the focal point of their national title aspirations.