NCAAF · 5 hours ago

ESPN Ranks the 43 Teams Best Positioned to Make the College Football Playoff Right Now

Sportsgrid Staff

Host · Writer

You Tell Us! Which Teams are the Biggest Threats to Make the CFP?
Step into the FPI CFP Debate

We’ve officially laid down the supercomputer’s initial projections for the 2026 landscape, but now it's your turn to play chief scout and judge the board!
- Do you agree with the model that Miami and Georgia are near playoff locks, or are you riding with Utah and Indiana?
- Is the supercomputer completely out of its robo-mind, giving a team like Boise State a higher playoff probability than traditional heavyweights like UCLA?
- Which team sitting outside the top five, like Wake Forest or an upstart Kentucky squad, is most likely to make a total fool out of the algorithm this fall?
Sound off in the comments with your thoughts on these 2026 FPI rankings! Give us your top CFP threats!
ESPN's Most Likely Teams to Make CFP
ESPN's FPI Unveils the Top 43 College Football Playoff Contenders

We're nearing the end, with the second CFP ranking coming tonight.

With three weeks to go, ESPN's freshly updated 2026 Football Power Index (FPI) metrics offer an eye-opening look at the national title picture, blending established blue-blood titans, power-conference frontrunners, and high-upside dark horses backed by favorable schedules. In today's 12-team playoff era, efficiency data and strength-of-schedule metrics lay out a clear blueprint for who has the highest statistical probability of keeping their season alive into January.

We audited the computer models and expanded our master index to power-rank the 43 programs best positioned to punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff bracket this winter.
1. Miami Hurricanes (Last Week: 1)
Miami Hurricanes Team Profile
- Head Coach: Mario Cristobal (5th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Shannon Dawson
- Defensive Coordinator: Corey Hetherman
- Location: Coral Gables-Miami , Florida
- Conference: ACC
Miami's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 8-1
- FPI Rank: 4
- Projected Record: 11.5-1.5
- Playoff Probability: 97.6%
- Win Conference Probability: 74.1%
- Win-Out Probability: 60.4%
- Make the CFP: 97.6%
- Make National Championship Game: 31.8%
- Win the National Championship: 17.3%
2. Georgia Bulldogs (Last Week: 3)
Georgia Team Profile
- Head Coach: Kirby Smart (11th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Mike Bobo
- Defensive Coordinator: Glenn Schumann
- Location: Athens, Georgia
- Conference: SEC
Georgia's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 8-1
- FPI Rank: 2
- Projected Record: 11.2-1.7
- Playoff Probability: 95.8%
- Win Conference Probability: 52.2%
- Win-Out Probability: 40.5%
- Make the CFP: 95.8%
- Make National Championship Game: 34.0%
- Win the National Championship: 19.4%
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (Last Week: 10)
Alabama Team Profile
- Head Coach: Kalen DeBoer (3rd Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Ryan Grubb
- Defensive Coordinator: Kane Wommack
- Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
- Conference: SEC
Alabama Crimson Tide's's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 3
- Projected Record: 10.2-2.4
- Playoff Probability: 92.5%
- Win Conference Probability: 32.7%
- Win-Out Probability: 57.0%
- Make the CFP: 92.5%
- Make National Championship Game: 27.2%
- Win the National Championship: 14.7%
4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Last Week: 4)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Team Profile
- Head Coach: Marcus Freeman (4th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Mike Denbrock
- Defensive Coordinator: Chris Ash
- Location: Notre Dame, Indiana
- Conference: FBS Indep.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 8-1
- FPI Rank: 1
- Projected Record: 10.8-1.2
- Playoff Probability: 92.0%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 82.8%
- Make the CFP: 92.0%
- Make National Championship Game: 30.1%
- Win the National Championship: 17.3%
5. Utah Utes (Last Week: 5)
Utah Utes Team Profile
- Head Coach: Morgan Scalley
- Offensive Coordinator: Kevin McGiven
- Defensive Coordinator: Colton Swan
- Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Conference: Big 12
Utah's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 9-0
- FPI Rank: 10
- Projected Record: 11.8-1.1
- Playoff Probability: 89.5%
- Win Conference Probability: 55.7%
- Win-Out Probability: 25.5%
- Make the CFP: 89.5%
- Make National Championship Game: 12.0%
- Win the National Championship: 4.4%
6. Indiana Hoosiers (Last Week: 2)
Indiana Hoosiers Team Profile
- Head Coach: Curt Cignetti (3rd Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Mike Shanahan
- Defensive Coordinator: Bryant Haines
- Location: Bloomington, Indiana
- Conference: Big Ten
Indiana's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 8-1
- FPI Rank: 8
- Projected Record: 10.9-1.7
- Playoff Probability: 80.7%
- Win Conference Probability: 43.8%
- Win-Out Probability: 39.0%
- Make the CFP: 80.7%
- Make National Championship Game: 14.1%
- Win the National Championship: 6.0%
7. Texas Longhorns (Last Week: 8)
Texas Longhorns Team Profile
- Head Coach: Steve Sarkisian (6th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Kyle Flood
- Defensive Coordinator: Will Muschamp
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Conference: SEC
Texas's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 6
- Projected Record: 9.3-2.9
- Playoff Probability: 74.5%
- Win Conference Probability: 9.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 22.3%
- Make the CFP: 74.5%
- Make National Championship Game: 15.5%
- Win the National Championship: 7.3%
8. Boise State Broncos (Last Week: 7)
Boise State Broncos Team Profile
- Head Coach: Spencer Danielson
- Offensive Coordinator: Nate Potter
- Defensive Coordinator: Erik Chinander
- Location: Boise, Idaho
- Conference: Pac-12
Boise State's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 8-1
- FPI Rank: 33
- Projected Record: 11.3-1.7
- Playoff Probability: 63.7%
- Win Conference Probability: 74.8%
- Win-Out Probability: 46.2%
- Make the CFP: 63.7%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.9%
- Win the National Championship: 0.2%
9. UCLA Bruins (Last Week: 12)
UCLA Bruins Team Profile
- Head Coach: Bob Chesney (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Dean Kennedy
- Defensive Coordinator: Colin Hitschler
- Location: Pasadena, California
- Conference: Big Ten
UCLA's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 9-0
- FPI Rank: 27
- Projected Record: 10.9-1.8
- Playoff Probability: 60.6%
- Win Conference Probability: 19.2%
- Win-Out Probability: 5.2%
- Make the CFP: 60.6%
- Make National Championship Game: 2.9%
- Win the National Championship: 0.8%
10. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Last Week: 11)
Wake Forest Demon Deacons Team Profile
- Head Coach: Jake Dickert (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Rob Ezell
- Defensive Coordinator: Scottie Hazelton
- Conference: ACC
- Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Stadium: Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium
Wake Forest's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 8-1
- FPI Rank: 13
- Projected Record: 10.4-2.3
- Playoff Probability: 52.9%
- Win Conference Probability: 20.7%
- Win-Out Probability: 11.1%
- Make the CFP: 52.9%
- Make National Championship Game: 4.7%
- Win the National Championship: 1.6%
11. Ohio State Buckeyes (Last Week: 6)
Ohio State Buckeyes Team Profile
- Head Coach: Ryan Day (8th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Arthur Smith
- Defensive Coordinator: Matt Patricia
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- Conference: Big Ten
Ohio State's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 5
- Projected Record: 8.6-3.6
- Playoff Probability: 41.8%
- Win Conference Probability: 13.9%
- Win-Out Probability: 50.4%
- Make the CFP: 41.8%
- Make National Championship Game: 7.4%
- Win the National Championship: 3.9%
12. Texas Tech Red Raiders (Last Week: 16)
Texas Tech Red Raiders Team Profile
- Head Coach: Joey McGuire (4th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Mack Leftwich
- Defensive Coordinator: Shiel Wood
- Location: Lubbock, Texas
- Conference: Big 12
Texas Tech's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 8-1
- FPI Rank: 14
- Projected Record: 10.0-2.4
- Playoff Probability: 37.6%
- Win Conference Probability: 18.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 9.6%
- Make the CFP: 37.6%
- Make National Championship Game: 2.1%
- Win the National Championship: 0.7%
13. Kentucky Wildcats (Last Week: 13)
Kentucky Team Profile
- Head Coach: Will Stein (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Joe Sloan
- Defensive Coordinator: Jay Bateman
- Conference: SEC
Kentucky's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 35
- Projected Record: 8.4-3.7
- Playoff Probability: 36.5%
- Win Conference Probability: 1.1%
- Win-Out Probability: 6.8%
- Make the CFP: 36.5%
- Make National Championship Game: 1.3%
- Win the National Championship: 0.3%
14. Ole Miss Rebels (Last Week: 8)
Ole Miss Rebels Team Profile
- Head Coach: Pete Golding (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: John David Baker
- Defensive Coordinator: Bryan Brown
- Location: University, Mississippi
- Conference: SEC
Ole Miss's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 12
- Projected Record: 8.4-3.6
- Playoff Probability: 37.3%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.4%
- Win-Out Probability: 46.5%
- Make the CFP: 37.3%
- Make National Championship Game: 2.6%
- Win the National Championship: 0.9%
15. (tied) BYU Cougars (Last Week: 15)
BYU Cougars Team Profile
- Head Coach: Kalani Sitake (11th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Aaron Roderick
- Defensive Coordinator: Kelly Poppinga
- Conference: Big 12
- Location: Provo, Utah
BYU's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 17
- Projected Record: 9.3-2.9
- Playoff Probability: 34.6%
- Win Conference Probability: 8.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 30.7%
- Make the CFP: 34.6%
- Make National Championship Game: 1.6%
- Win the National Championship: 0.5%
15. (tied) Tennessee Volunteers (Last Week: 17)
Tennessee Volunteers Team Profile
- Head Coach: Josh Heupel
- Offensive Coordinator: Joey Halzle
- Defensive Coordinator: Jim Knowles
- Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
- Conference: SEC
Tennessee's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 11
- Projected Record: 9.0-3.2
- Playoff Probability: 35.5%
- Win Conference Probability: 4.2%
- Win-Out Probability: 13.0%
- Make the CFP: 35.5%
- Make National Championship Game: 3.2%
- Win the National Championship: 1.2%
17. New Mexico Lobos (Last Week: 21)
New Mexico Lobos Team Profile
- Head Coach: Jason Eck (2nd Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Luke Schleusner
- Defensive Coordinator: Spence Nowinsky
- Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Conference: MWC
New Mexico's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 8-1
- FPI Rank: 42
- Projected Record: 11.3-1.7
- Playoff Probability: 26.8%
- Win Conference Probability: 71.2%
- Win-Out Probability: 46.5%
- Make the CFP: 26.8%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.2%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
18. Oregon Ducks (Last Week: 28)
Oregon Ducks Team Profile
- Head Coach: Dan Lanning (5th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Drew Mehringer
- Defensive Coordinator: Chris Hampton
- Location: Eugene, Oregon
- Conference: Big Ten
Oregon's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 9
- Projected Record: 8.7-3.6
- Playoff Probability: 24.9%
- Win Conference Probability: 16.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 50.5%
- Make the CFP: 24.9%
- Make National Championship Game: 2.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.8%
19. LSU Tigers (Last Week: 14)
LSU Tigers Team Profile
- Head Coach: Lane Kiffin (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Charlie Weis Jr.
- Defensive Coordinator: Blake Baker
- Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Conference: SEC
LSU's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 7
- Projected Record: 8.0-4.0
- Playoff Probability: 21.8%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.2%
- Win-Out Probability: 26.1%
- Make the CFP: 21.8%
- Make National Championship Game: 3.0%
- Win the National Championship: 1.5%
20. Houston Cougars (Last Week: 19)
Houston Team Profile
- Head Coach: Willie Fritz (3rd Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Slade Nagle
- Defensive Coordinator: Austin Armstrong
- Conference: Big 12
- Location: Houston, Texas
Houston's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 20
- Projected Record: 9.3-2.9
- Playoff Probability: 20.8%
- Win Conference Probability: 8.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 26.9%
- Make the CFP: 20.8%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.7%
- Win the National Championship: 0.2%
21. Iowa Hawkeyes (Last Week: 23)
Iowa Hawkeyes Team Profile
- Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz
- Offensive Coordinator: Tim Lester
- Defensive Coordinator: Phil Parker
- Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 18
- Projected Record: 9.1-2.9
- Playoff Probability: 20.9%
- Win Conference Probability: 1.6%
- Win-Out Probability: 31.5%
- Make the CFP: 20.9%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.9%
- Win the National Championship: 0.3%
22. USC Trojans (Last Week: 18)
USC Trojans Team Profile
- Head Coach: Lincoln Riley (4th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Luke Huard
- Defensive Coordinator: Gary Patterson
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Conference: Big Ten
USC's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 16
- Projected Record: 8.7-3.4
- Playoff Probability: 15.6%
- Win Conference Probability: 3.9%
- Win-Out Probability: 5.0%
- Make the CFP: 15.6%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.8%
- Win the National Championship: 0.2%
23. Arizona Wildcats (Last Week: 25)
Arizona Team Profile
- Head Coach: Brent Brennan (3rd Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Marcus Arroyo
- Defensive Coordinator: Brian Ward
Arizona's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 26
- Projected Record: 9.0-3.1
- Playoff Probability: 9.4%
- Win Conference Probability: 4.3%
- Win-Out Probability: 18.0%
- Make the CFP: 9.4%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.3%
- Win the National Championship: 0.1%
24. South Carolina Gamecocks (Last Week: 30)
South Carolina Gamecocks Team Profile
- Head Coach: Shane Beamer
- Offensive Coordinator: Kendal Briles
- Defensive Coordinator: Clayton White
- Location: Columbia, South Carolina
South Carolina's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 19
- Projected Record: 7.6-4.4
- Playoff Probability: 5.4%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.1%
- Win-Out Probability: 10.4%
- Make the CFP: 5.4%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.2%
- Win the National Championship: 0.1%
25. Liberty Flames (Last Week: 27)
Liberty Flames Team Profile
- Head Coach: Jamey Chadwell (3rd Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Newland Isaac
- Defensive Coordinator: Shawn Quinn
- Conference: CUSA
Liberty's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 8-1
- FPI Rank: 50
- Projected Record: 11.5-1.5
- Playoff Probability: 5.3%
- Win Conference Probability: 76.2%
- Win-Out Probability: 60.4%
- Make the CFP: 5.3%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
26. SMU Mustangs (Last Week: 29)
SMU Mustangs Team Profile
- Head Coach: Rhett Lashlee
- Offensive Coordinator: N/A
- Defensive Coordinator: N/A
- Location: University Park, Texas
- Conference: ACC
SMU's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 32
- Projected Record: 8.4-3.7
- Playoff Probability: 4.6%
- Win Conference Probability: 2.9%
- Win-Out Probability: 2.4%
- Make the CFP: 4.6%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.1%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
27. Oklahoma State Cowboys (Last Week: 35)
Oklahoma State Cowboys Team Profile
- Head Coach: Eric Morris (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Sean Brophy
- Defensive Coordinator: Skyler Cassity
- Conference: Big 12
Oklahoma State's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 21
- Projected Record: 8.1-4.0
- Playoff Probability: 4.5%
- Win Conference Probability: 4.5%
- Win-Out Probability: 24.9%
- Make the CFP: 4.5%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.2%
- Win the National Championship: 0.1%
28. (tied) Missouri Tigers (Last Week: 24)
Missouri Tigers Team Profile
- Head Coach: Eliah Drinkwitz
- Offensive Coordinator: Chip Lindsey
- Defensive Coordinator: Corey Batoon
- Location: Columbia, Missouri
- Conference: SEC
Missouri's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 25
- Projected Record: 7.3-4.7
- Playoff Probability: 2.4%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 4.1%
- Make the CFP: 2.4%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.1%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
28. (tied) North Texas Mean Green (Last Week: 31)
North Texas Mean Green Team Profile
- Head Coach: Neal Brown (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: NA
- Defensive Coordinator: Matt Powledge
- Location: Tampa, FL
North Texas Mean Green's's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 55
- Projected Record: 9.9-3.0
- Playoff Probability: 2.4%
- Win Conference Probability: 53.2%
- Win-Out Probability: 27.6%
- Make the CFP: 2.4%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
30. Louisville Cardinals (Last Week: 32)
Louisville Cardinals Team Profile
- Head Coach: Jeff Brohm
- Offensive Coordinator: Brian Brohm
- Defensive Coordinator: N/A
- Location: Louisville, Kentucky
- Conference: ACC
Louisville's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 15
- Projected Record: 7.9-4.2
- Playoff Probability: 2.2%
- Win Conference Probability: 2.1%
- Win-Out Probability: 21.4%
- Make the CFP: 2.2%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.1%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
31. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (Last Week: 33)
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Team Profile
- Head Coach: Sonny Cumbie (5th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Nathan Young
- Defensive Coordinator: Luke Olson
Louisiana Tech's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 71
- Projected Record: 9.6-3.4
- Playoff Probability: 1.9%
- Win Conference Probability: 40.2%
- Win-Out Probability: 12.8%
- Make the CFP: 1.9%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
32. Wisconsin Badgers (Last Week: 34)
Wisconsin Badgers Team Profile
- Head Coach: Luke Fickell (3rd Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Jeff Grimes
- Defensive Coordinator: Mike Tressel
- Conference: Big Ten
- Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Wisconsin's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 37
- Projected Record: 8.2-3.8
- Playoff Probability: 1.8%
- Win Conference Probability: 1.4%
- Win-Out Probability: 36.1%
- Make the CFP: 1.8%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
33. Baylor Bears (Last Week: 35)
Baylor Bears Team Profile
- Head Coach: Dave Aranda (6th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Jake Spavital
- Defensive Coordinator: Joe Klanderman
- Location: Waco, Texas
Baylor's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 34
- Projected Record: 7.1-4.9
- Playoff Probability: 1.5%
- Win Conference Probability: 1.5%
- Win-Out Probability: 2.1%
- Make the CFP: 1.5%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
34. Duke Blue Devils (Last Week: 37)
Duke Blue Devils Team Profile
- Head Coach: Manny Diaz (3rd Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Jonathan Brewer
- Defensive Coordinator: Jonathan Patke
- Conference: ACC
- Location: Durham, North Carolina
Duke's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 29
- Projected Record: 8.1-3.9
- Playoff Probability: 1.1%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.3%
- Win-Out Probability: 1.5%
- Make the CFP: 1.1%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
35. Northwestern Wildcats (Last Week: 26)
Northwestern Wildcats Team Profile
- Head Coach: David Braun (3rd Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Chip Kelly
- Defensive Coordinator: Tim McGarigle
- Location: Evanston, Illinois
Northwestern's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 30
- Projected Record: 7.6-4.4
- Playoff Probability: 1.1%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 7.8%
- Make the CFP: 1.1%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
36. (tied) Illinois Fighting Illini (Last Week: 43)
Illinois Fighting Illini Team Profile
- Head Coach: Bret Bielema (6th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Barry Lunney Jr.
- Defensive Coordinator: Bobby Hauck
- Conference: Big Ten
- Location: Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
Illinois Fighting Illini's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 43
- Projected Record: 6.9-5.1
- Playoff Probability: 0.4%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.2%
- Win-Out Probability: 2.4%
- Make the CFP: 0.4%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
36. (tied) UTSA Roadrunners (Last Week: 20)
UTSA Roadrunners Team Profile
- Head Coach: Jeff Traylor (6th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Rick Bowie
- Defensive Coordinator: Jess Loepp
- Conference: American
UTSA's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 78
- Projected Record: 8.7-3.7
- Playoff Probability: 0.5%
- Win Conference Probability: 11.8%
- Win-Out Probability: 4.4%
- Make the CFP: 0.5%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
38. (tied) Florida Gators (Last Week: 22)
Florida Gators Team Profile
- Head Coach: Jon Sumrall
- Offensive Coordinator: Buster Faulkner
- Defensive Coordinator: Brad White
- Location: Gainesville, Florida
- Conference: SEC
Florida's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 5-4
- FPI Rank: 28
- Projected Record: 6.9-5.1
- Playoff Probability: 0.3%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 23.2%
- Make the CFP: 0.3%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
38. (tied) Clemson Tigers (Last Week: 39)
Clemson Team Profile
- Head Coach: Dabo Swinney (19th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Chad Morris
- Defensive Coordinator: Tom Allen
- Conference: ACC
Clemson's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 6-3
- FPI Rank: 45
- Projected Record: 7.5-4.5
- Playoff Probability: 0.4%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 8.6%
- Make the CFP: 0.4%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
40. (tied) Oklahoma Sooners (Last Week: 39)
Oklahoma Team Profile
- Head Coach: Brent Venables (5th Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Ben Arbuckle
- Defensive Coordinator: Todd Bates
- Location: Norman, Oklahoma
- Conference: SEC
Oklahoma's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 5-4
- FPI Rank: 22
- Projected Record: 6.5-5.5
- Playoff Probability: 0.4%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.1%
- Win-Out Probability: 11.7%
- Make the CFP: 0.4%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
40. (tied) Memphis Tigers (Last Week: 37)
Memphis Tigers Team Profile
- Head Coach: Charles Huff (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Kevin Decker
- Defensive Coordinator: Lance Guidry
- Location: Memphis, Tennessee
- Conference: AAC
Memphis's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 7-2
- FPI Rank: 57
- Projected Record: 9.4-3.1
- Playoff Probability: 0.4%
- Win Conference Probability: 27.7%
- Win-Out Probability: 18.2%
- Make the CFP: 0.4%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
42. (tied) Auburn Tigers (Last Week: 43)
Auburn Team Profile
- Head Coach: Alex Golesh (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Joel Gordon
- Defensive Coordinator: DJ Durkin
- Conference: SEC
- Location: Auburn, Alabama
Auburn's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 5-4
- FPI Rank: 39
- Projected Record: 6.6-5.4
- Playoff Probability: 0.1%
- Win Conference Probability: 0.0%
- Win-Out Probability: 4.3%
- Make the CFP: 0.1%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
42. (tied) Oregon State Beavers (Last Week: 39)
Oregon State Beavers Team Profile
- Head Coach: JaMarcus Shephard (1st Season)
- Offensive Coordinator: Mitch Dahlen
- Defensive Coordinator: Mike MacIntyre
- Conference: Pac-12
Oregon State's ESPN FPI Profile
- 2026 Record: 5-3
- FPI Rank: 53
- Projected Record: 7.7-4.9
- Playoff Probability: 0.1%
- Win Conference Probability: 18.5%
- Win-Out Probability: 3.6%
- Make the CFP: 0.1%
- Make National Championship Game: 0.0%
- Win the National Championship: 0.0%
You Tell Us! Which Teams are the Biggest Threats to Make the CFP?
Step into the FPI CFP Debate

We’ve officially laid down the supercomputer’s initial projections for the 2026 landscape, but now it's your turn to play chief scout and judge the board!
- Do you agree with the model that Miami and Georgia are near playoff locks, or are you riding with Utah and Indiana?
- Is the supercomputer completely out of its robo-mind, giving a team like Boise State a higher playoff probability than traditional heavyweights like UCLA?
- Which team sitting outside the top five, like Wake Forest or an upstart Kentucky squad, is most likely to make a total fool out of the algorithm this fall?
Sound off in the comments with your thoughts on these 2026 FPI rankings! Give us your top CFP threats!
ESPN's Most Likely Teams to Make CFP
ESPN's FPI Unveils the Top 43 College Football Playoff Contenders

We're nearing the end, with the second CFP ranking coming tonight.

With three weeks to go, ESPN's freshly updated 2026 Football Power Index (FPI) metrics offer an eye-opening look at the national title picture, blending established blue-blood titans, power-conference frontrunners, and high-upside dark horses backed by favorable schedules. In today's 12-team playoff era, efficiency data and strength-of-schedule metrics lay out a clear blueprint for who has the highest statistical probability of keeping their season alive into January.

We audited the computer models and expanded our master index to power-rank the 43 programs best positioned to punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff bracket this winter.