ASU Qyarterback Sam Leavitt talks all things college football
USA TODAY Sports caught up with ASU quarterback Sam Leavitt as he prepares to follow up what was a standout year for the Sun Devils in 2024.
Sports Seriously
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.
USA TODAY Sports simulated the 2025-26 season in College Football 26 100 times to see who made the College Football Playoff. There were teams that were frequently in the field − and often won national championships − but there were a few surprises that made it, which could give some programs optimism of what could be achieved in the upcoming campaign.
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
