Oregon Ducks Fans Will Be Surprised by Projected Playoff Bracket

The Oregon Ducks are entering the 2026 college football season as strong contenders for the national championship, following their semifinal loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in the Peach Bowl. Led by quarterback Dante Moore, the Ducks are projected to secure a No. 7 seed in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, according to CBS Sports' Brad Crawford. They are set to face the Texas A&M Aggies and quarterback Marcel Reed in the first round.

The Indiana Hoosiers, fresh off their national championship victory, are expected to repeat as Big Ten champions and will likely enter the playoffs as the No. 4 seed. Other Big Ten teams projected to make the playoff field include Ohio State as the No. 8 seed and Michigan, under new coach Kyle Whittingham, as the No. 12 seed.

The projected top four seeds, earning first-round byes, include Miami (ACC Champion), Notre Dame, Texas (SEC Champion), and Indiana. The first-round match