ESPN Panel Favors Notre Dame and Ohio State in Season Predictions

A panel of 12 college football writers at media outlet ESPN has released predictions for the upcoming season, picking national championship winners and unranked teams capable of making an impact. Five writers selected Notre Dame to win the national title, while Ohio State, Texas, and Oregon also received multiple championship picks.

National Title Favorites

Notre Dame emerged as the most frequent pick for the national championship, selected by writers Andrea Adelson, Bill Connelly, David Hale, Eli Lederman, and Adam Rittenberg. Analysts pointing to the Fighting Irish cited the progression of quarterback CJ Carr, offensive and defensive line depth, and receiver play under head coach Marcus Freeman, as well as motivation following an exclusion from last year’s College Football Playoff field. The program is seeking its first national title in 38 years.

Ohio State received three picks from writers Kyle Bonagura, Max Olson, and Mark Schlabach. The analysts cited the team’s offensive depth and the benefits of a challenging regular season schedule, which includes a September 12 matchup against Texas. Texas received two selections from Heather Dinich and Jake Trotter, who noted quarterback Arch Manning, transfer wide receiver Cam Coleman, and overall roster depth. Oregon also received two picks from Paolo Uggetti and Dave Wilson, who highlighted head coach Dan Lanning and returning quarterback Dante Moore.

Unranked Teams to Watch

Writers were also asked to select standout teams currently outside the Associated Press Top 25 rankings. Bonagura picked North Dakota State, pointing to the program’s move to the Football Bowl Subdivision after winning 10 of the past 16 national titles in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Lederman chose Navy, noting that the program returns significant starting experience after compiling a 21-5 record over the past two seasons. Olson highlighted Oklahoma State, which added head coach Eric Morris, quarterback Drew Mestemaker, and more than 85 new players following a 1-11 season.

Other unranked selections included Cal, chosen by Connelly due to defensive additions under Tosh Lupoi and quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele; Auburn, picked by Hale following the arrival of head coach Alex Golesh and quarterback Byrum Brown; South Carolina, selected by Dinich for key players LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart; and Pitt, chosen by Adelson behind returning quarterback Mason Heintschel. Rittenberg selected Arizona, highlighting experienced quarterback Noah Fifita.

Background

Major sports networks regularly publish preseason panel predictions ahead of the college football season to evaluate roster changes, transfer portal additions, and coaching movements. These projections provide an early overview of potential contenders for the College Football Playoff and key conference races before regular season play begins.