2026 Bracketology: Predicting the 12-Team Playoff Field & LSU's Shocking Transfer

2026 Bracketology: Predicting the 12-Team Playoff Field & LSU's Shocking Transfer

Author: The Athletic August 25, 2026 Duration: 54:48

Who wins the 2026 College Football Playoff? Could we see a repeat champion with the Indiana Hoosiers? Will Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns capture the title? Stew and Ralph give their picks for the 2026 CFP.


Welcome back to The Audible presented by The Athletic! In today's episode, Stew and Ralph go head-to-head with their preseason playoff projections. Ralph is backing the Texas Longhorns to take down the Oregon Ducks for the national title. Meanwhile, Stew drops a bombshell prediction, picking the Indiana Hoosiers to defeat Notre Dame and secure back-to-back national championships!


Plus, we break down a historic college football transfer market anomaly. Former Ole Miss tight end Dae'Quan Wright has been waived by the Cleveland Browns and is headed to LSU to rejoin his former coach Lane Kiffin. This would make him the first player to ever go from the pros back to the college ranks. What does this mean for the future of player eligibility?


Timestamps 

0:00 - Intro

1:47 - Dea’Quan Wright expected to return to NCAA from NFL

10:05 - How did we get to this point?

23:22 - Ralph’s CFP bracket

38:20 - Stewart’s CFP bracket

49:09 - Bruce’s CFP bracket

50:35 - Heisman predictions


#CollegeFootball #TheAudible #CFBPlayoff #LSUFootball #IndianaHoosiers #TexasLonghorns #Bracketology #CollegeFootballPlayoff


Ralph's Bracket:

First Round

12 Navy at 5 Miami

11 TCU at 6 Notre Dame

10 Louisville vs 7 Florida

9 Washington vs 8 Texas Tech


Bye

1 Texas

2 Ohio State

3 Oregon

4 LSU


Quarterfinals

Texas vs Texas Tech

LSU vs Miami

Notre Dame vs Oregon

Ohio State vs Florida 


Semifinal

Miami vs Texas

Oregon vs Ohio State


Final

Texas-Oregon


Champion

Texas


Stew’s Bracket:


First Round

8 Oklahoma vs 9 Georgia 

5 Texas vs 12 Boise State

7 Ohio State vs 10 LSU

6 BYU vs 11 USC


Bye

1 Indiana

2 Notre Dame

3 Oregon 

4 Miami


Quarterfinals

Indiana vs Georgia

Miami vs Texas

Notre Dame vs Ohio State

Oregon vs BYU


Semifinal

Indiana vs Miami

Notre Dame vs Oregon


Final

Indiana vs Notre Dame


Champion

Indiana



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For anyone who lives and breathes college football, the weekly conversation happening on The Audible with Stew, Bruce & Ralph is essential. This isn't just a recap of last Saturday's scores; it's where the sport's narrative gets unpacked by three of its most connected and seasoned voices. Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo bring a combined depth of experience that cuts through the noise, offering clarity on everything from coaching changes and playoff implications to the evolving landscape of conferences and recruiting. Their access is a key part of the podcast, featuring candid interviews with coaches, players, and insiders you won't hear elsewhere. Whether it's the frenzy of National Signing Day, the weekly drama of the regular season, or the road to the National Championship, they provide a consistent, intelligent, and often entertaining analysis that follows the sport's endless calendar. Presented by The Athletic, this show delivers the kind of substantive discussion and forward-looking insight that true fans rely on, making it a staple for those who want to go deeper than the headlines.
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