The race for the College Football Playoff is about to start, but who are the teams that could really make the 12-team field?
The expanded playoff means more teams have the chance to win a national championship, and while there are some teams expected to make the field, last season showed Cinderella squads have the chance to shock the country and qualify for a spot.
It’s no different heading into the upcoming season with perennial national championship contenders, but it’s unknown whether they’ll actually make it, or some dark horse team will emerge like Indiana and Arizona State last season. Luckily, EA Sports College Football 26 out to give a preview of what could happen.
Most College Football Playoff appearances in College Football 26 simulation
Penn State had the most College Football Playoff appearances, making it in 88 of the 100 simulated seasons. It also won the most national championships of the simulation with 20 titles and 17 second-place finishes.
A total of eight schools − Penn State, Oregon, Georgia, Miami, Texas Tech, Clemson and Duke − appeared in the playoff more than 50% of the time.
College Football 26 simulation College Football Playoff breakdown
Penn State: 88 appearances (made final 27 times)
Oregon: 73 appearances (made final 22 times)
Georgia: 71 appearances (made final 23 times)
Miami: 70 appearances (made final 16 times)
Texas Tech: 68 appearances (made final 13 times)
Clemson: 67 appearances (made final 23 times)
Duke: 52 appearances (made final nine times)
Texas: 49 appearances (made final 10 times)
Boise State: 47 appearances
Ohio State: 44 appearances (made final two times)
Michigan: 41 appearances (made final 10 times)
Oklahoma: 37 appearances (made final five times)
Southern California: 36 appearances (made final three times)
Florida: 33 appearances (made final nine times)
Texas A&M: 32 appearances (made final four times)
Brigham Young: 27 appearances (made final one time)
Alabama: 26 appearances (made final one time)
Southern Methodist: 25 appearances
Notre Dame: 24 appearances (made final two times)
Indiana: 24 appearances (made final one time)
Tulane: 24 appearances
Iowa State: 21 appearances (made final one time)
Baylor: 20 appearances (made final two times)
Auburn: 15 appearances (made final one time)
Louisville: 14 appearances (made final one time)
Illinois: 13 appearances
LSU: 12 appearances (made final one time)
Kansas State: 12 appearances (made final one time)
UNLV: 11 appearances
South Carolina: 11 appearances
Arizona State: 10 appearances
Pittsburgh: nine appearances (made final one time)
Nebraska: eight appearances
Navy: eight appearances
Tennessee: seven appearances
Mississippi: six appearances
Memphis: six appearances
UCLA: five appearance (made final one time)
Virginia Tech: five appearances
Southern Mississippi: four appearances
Colorado: four appearances
North Carolina: four appearances
Missouri: four appearances
Kansas: three appearances
Washington: three appearances
California: three appearances
South Florida: three appearances
West Virginia: two appearances
Buffalo: two appearances
UTSA: two appearances
James Madison: two appearances
Rutgers: two appearances
Colorado State: one appearance
Vanderbilt: one appearance
Hawaii: one appearance
Mississippi State: one appearance
North Texas: one appearance
Wake Forest: one appearance
Liberty: one appearance
Wisconsin: one appearance
San Jose State: one appearance
San Diego State: one appearance
