ESPN names 9 SEC teams that could reach the College Football Playoff in 2026
Published:
Preseason projections for the College Football Playoff have begun.
ESPN’s Heather Dinich broke down a list of 31 teams that could make the CFP in 2026, including 9 SEC programs. Of those 31, 28 have at least a 10% chance to make the 12-team field, according to ESPN Analytics.
Below you’ll find all 9 SEC teams included in ESPN’s piece. Additionally, I’ve marked the odds for each team to make the CFP via ESPN Analytics as well as the current market odds on Kalshi:
- Texas | ESPN: 69.9% | Kalshi: 67%
- Georgia | ESPN: 63.9% | Kalshi: 70%
- Alabama | ESPN: 41.3% | Kalshi: 42%
- LSU | ESPN: 39.7% | Kalshi: 42%
- Texas A&M | ESPN: 39.1% | Kalshi: 38%
- Oklahoma | ESPN: 28.2% | Kalshi: 38%
- Ole Miss | ESPN: 22.8% | Kalshi: 38%
- Tennessee | ESPN: 20.5% | Kalshi: 26%
- South Carolina | ESPN: 10.8% | Kalshi: 15%
Prediction markets are substantially more optimistic about Oklahoma and Ole Miss with regards to their respective CFP chances. They’re also marginally more bullish on Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina.
Here’s a look at the national CFP odds picture on Kalshi:
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The SEC has 8 programs with at least a 20% chance to make the College Football Playoff, according to ESPN Analytics. The Big Ten is No. 2 in that regard with 6 such programs that meet that criteria.
Week 0 of the 2026 college football season will begin later this month.
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Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
