College football championship contenders: Favorites, long shots, and playoff candidates

College football preview season rolls on today at SB Nation.

While we previously released our own Top 25 ahead of the campaign, we are diving into those rankings a bit more today, breaking them down by what teams can truly be considered title contenders. Some are longshots, others need a break or two to make a run, some are knocking on that door, and the final group are the teams that could truly be considered championship contenders in 2026.

Of course, these tiers all go out the window once the games start for real.

Boise State
Tennessee
SMU
Houston
Iowa
Louisville

We start with six teams that could be considered longshots, not just for a run at a title but for making the College Football Playoff to begin with. Boise State is among the favorites in the reconstituted Pac-12 — as an aside, we’re really going with Pac-12 and not Pac-8 or Pac-9 — and return seven starters on the offensive side of the ball. But the Broncos lost a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball.

Tennessee needs to get better production on defense, and that task falls on new defensive coordinator Tim Knowles. Josh Heupel also faces a question at QB, and losing Chris Brazzell to the NFL hurts as well. SMU and Houston should both be impressive on offense — the Mustangs will have a fully healthy Kevin Jennings this year while the Cougars added running back Makhi Hughes via the portal — and Louisville is certainly intriguing with transfer QB Lincoln Kienholz.

Iowa is, well, Iowa.

Washington
Utah
Penn State
USC
BYU
Alabama

This tier finds some blue blood programs such as USC, Penn State, and Alabama, as well as some other teams knocking on the playoff door. Kalen DeBoer is facing some heat in his third season in Tuscaloosa, while Lincoln Riley could be feeling something similar in Los Angeles.

How quickly can Matt Campbell turn things around at Penn State? Bringing 24 players from Iowa State — including Rocco Becht — could speed up the process. BYU could take a step forward after missing out on the Big 12 title a year ago, and the tandem of Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin in the offensive backfield will certainly aid that effort.

Texas Tech
Michigan
LSU
Oklahoma
Texas A&M
Ole Miss

Our next tier of teams could be described as those knocking on the contention door. They’re close to the top of the pile, but will need some breaks along the way. Texas A&M needs more consistency from quarterback Marcel Reed. Michigan needs a big step forward from Bryce Underwood. Texas Tech needs to replace a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball, and will need likely starter Will Hammond to deliver at quarterback following the Brendan Sorsby saga.

Can Ole Miss make another run, even with the talent the Rebels lost to Baton Rouge … including former coach Lane Kiffin? As for Kiffin, how quickly can he get things to come together for the Tigers, including transfer QB Sam Leavitt?

Oklahoma might have a case as the most complete team from this group, but will need a full year of a healthy John Mateer to make the leap.

Miami
Oregon
Notre Dame
Indiana
Texas
Georgia
Ohio State

We close this out with a quick look at the seven teams that, at least on paper, could be considered true contenders.

Miami lost to Indiana in the title game a year ago, but the Hurricanes return several key players on the offensive side of the ball, including wide receiver Malachi Toney and running back Mark Fletcher Jr. Transfer Darian Mensah comes over from Duke to take over the quarterback spot. While losing Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor to the draft hurts, Miami brings back tackles Ahmad Moten Sr. and Justin Scott, and added pass rusher Damon Wilson II from Missouri.

Oregon has one of the most complete rosters in college football, as quarterback Dante Moore was among several draft-eligible starters who decided to return to college. Notre Dame is going to ride the “Leave No Doubt” mantra as long as they can — although their hopes truly rest on the arm of CJ Carr — and if transfer QB Josh Hoover can cut down on the turnovers, Indiana could make another run.

The big three of Texas, Georgia, and Ohio State seem like the cream of the crop, but there are questions. How will Matt Patricia replace the talent lost to the NFL for the Buckeyes’ defense? Can Gunner Stockton take the step forward Georgia needs from him?

And of course: Is Texas really back?