NBC Sports Analysts Drop Bold 2026 College Football Playoff Predictions

Ah, the preseason! That glorious time of year when hope springs eternal, and every fan base dreams big. It's also when the talking heads and experts bravely step forward to lay out their predictions for the season ahead. And let's be honest, there's nothing quite like a well-placed (or wildly unexpected!) forecast to get the college football chatter truly buzzing.

This August, as the 2026 season loomed, two familiar faces from NBC Sports, Nicole Auerbach and Joshua Perry, did just that. They rolled out their much-anticipated picks for the College Football Playoff, offering up a glimpse into what they envision for the ultimate championship showdown. And, well, some of those picks are definitely worth a closer look – especially one that might have you doing a double-take!

Nicole Auerbach, always one to offer an insightful take, truly brought some spice to the table with her selections. Her bold projection included not one, but two Big 12 teams making it into the CFP field: the BYU Cougars and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Now, that's a pick! It certainly suggests a belief that the Big 12 is set to shake things up significantly, and perhaps hints at some intriguing storylines unfolding in Provo and Lubbock this fall. It takes a certain courage to step out with picks that might not be the conventional favorites, doesn't it?

On the other side of the coin, Joshua Perry, while offering his own intriguing insights, seemed to lean a bit more towards traditional powerhouses dominating their conferences. He’s eyeing Georgia to once again hoist that SEC championship trophy, and for Ohio State to claim the Big Ten title. Beyond those conference champions, Perry's picks included some additional at-large bids, which, as we all know, always add a layer of delicious unpredictability to the playoff picture. Yet, he also wisely reminded everyone – and this is a crucial point, really – to take all preseason predictions, including his own, with a "grain of salt."

And honestly, who can argue with that sentiment? College football is famously, wonderfully, stubbornly unpredictable. The beauty of the sport often lies in those unexpected upsets, the breakout stars, and the teams that simply defy all expectations. Preseason picks, while incredibly fun to dissect and debate, are truly just a starting point for conversation. They get us excited, make us think, and give us something to track as the season progresses.

So, as the 2026 college football season gets into full swing, keep these predictions from Nicole Auerbach and Joshua Perry in mind. Whether they hit the nail on the head or miss by a country mile, they’ve certainly added some compelling narratives to watch out for. It’s going to be fascinating to see how it all unfolds!