The 2026 college football season is just around the corner, and while the first major kickoff is still nine days away, former Alabama quarterback and ESPN analyst Greg McElroy is already looking ahead. On the latest episode of his “Always College Football” podcast, McElroy laid out his full 12-team College Football Playoff prediction, giving fans plenty to chew on before a single snap is played.
McElroy’s bracket features a mix of familiar powerhouses and a few surprise inclusions, but perhaps the most notable pick is his alma mater. Alabama cracks the field as a 10-2 team, with new starting quarterback Keelon Russell under center. Despite Russell having thrown just 15 passes in his college career, McElroy is confident the Crimson Tide offense will be electric.
“I have Alabama in at 10-2, with a quarterback that’s thrown 15 passes in his entire college career,” McElroy said. “I think the offense will be very dynamic with Keelon Russell at quarterback.”
The full list includes: Notre Dame, Ohio State, Miami, Georgia, Texas, Oregon, Indiana, Alabama, USC, BYU, Oklahoma, and Fresno State. Notably, McElroy has Notre Dame as his only undefeated team, predicting the Fighting Irish will go 12-0 and earn the top overall seed.
“I have Notre Dame going 12-0,” he said. “When forecasting the College Football Playoff and looking way in advance, they are going to be my No. 1 overall seed and my only undefeated team on the board.”
Ohio State, which he slots second, is projected to lose on the road at Texas on September 12 before rattling off 11 straight wins to capture the Big Ten title. McElroy called the Buckeyes his No. 1 team overall, noting their AP ranking and their path through Indianapolis.
“I have Ohio State sitting there at 11-1 during the regular season, and they win it in Indianapolis,” he explained. “They’re my No. 1 team, they’re the AP’s No. 1 team, so they’re No. 1 for me for a reason.”
Texas, meanwhile, is projected to finish 10-3 and still earn a playoff berth, with McElroy suggesting the selection committee will give the Longhorns some grace given their brutal schedule. As for defending national champion Indiana, McElroy believes the Hoosiers won’t replicate last year’s perfect run but should still go 10-2 thanks to a dominant defensive line.
“I still look at what this team has… their D-line is still outstanding, and I have them at 10-2,” McElroy said. “But I had the likelihood of them winning a national championship slightly higher just a couple of days ago.”
McElroy’s first four teams out are Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Penn State. The inclusion of Fresno State as a Group of Five representative adds an interesting wrinkle, and the selection of BYU and USC shows he expects some mid-major and Pac-12 (or whatever they’re called now) surprises.
Of course, this is just one man’s opinion. With the college football landscape constantly shifting, it’s worth noting that some have proposed radical changes to the sport’s structure, which could alter everything. And while McElroy’s picks are bold, they’re not without precedent—quarterback rankings are always hotly debated, and this season looks no different.
Will Alabama really make it with a rookie signal-caller? Can Notre Dame stay perfect? Only time will tell. But McElroy has set the table for what promises to be a wild ride.
