ESPN analysts project 46 postseason college football games for 2026-27
ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach have released preseason predictions for the entire 2026-27 college football postseason, including the 12-team College Football Playoff and major bowl matchups.
ESPN analysts Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach have published their preseason projections for all 46 postseason college football games scheduled for the 2026-27 season. The release provides a comprehensive look at the upcoming bowl season, which is set to commence with the Cricket Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on 12 December 2026.
The projections cover the full slate of games, ranging from major conference matchups to smaller regional bowls. The postseason calendar will conclude with the College Football Playoff National Championship, scheduled for 25 January 2027 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. This event marks the culmination of the 12-team playoff format that determines the national champion.
In their predictions, Bonagura and Schlabach agree on a final matchup between Notre Dame and Ohio State for the national title. While the two analysts align on the championship participants, their projections diverge on several quarterfinal and semifinal pairings. For instance, Bonagura projects a game between No. 12 Boise State and No. 5 Georgia, whereas Schlabach predicts Boise State will face No. 5 Texas.
The analysts also offer differing views on other high-profile matchups. In the quarterfinals, Bonagura sees No. 11 BYU facing No. 6 Oregon, while Schlabach predicts a contest between No. 11 Texas A&M and No. 6 BYU. These discrepancies highlight the uncertainty inherent in preseason forecasting, as regular-season performance will ultimately determine the official field.
ESPN has committed to updating these picks weekly throughout the season. The projections will remain fluid until Selection Day on 6 December 2026, when the actual matchups for the College Football Playoff and bowl games will be officially confirmed. Until then, the predictions serve as a speculative framework for the postseason landscape.
The release also includes detailed schedules for numerous bowl games, such as the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl. While specific time slots for some quarterfinals remain to be determined, the bulk of the 46-game schedule is now outlined for fans and stakeholders to review.
