Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Texas, and Notre Dame headline preseason rankings and futures markets for the 2026 College Football Playoff top four seeds, reflecting their 2025 performances and returning talent. Ohio State enters with quarterback Julian Sayin, receiver Jeremiah Smith, and a rebuilt offensive line under new coordinators, while Oregon benefits from quarterback Dante Moore’s return after a strong Big Ten showing. Georgia’s young roster and SEC pedigree keep it in contention, and Texas and Notre Dame feature favorable schedules plus experienced cores expected to push for byes. Indiana and Miami appear as secondary options based on recent momentum. The expanded playoff format rewards conference strength, head-to-head results, and late-season form, with the first rankings and early nonconference games poised to shift implied probabilities quickly.