The 2025 College Football Playoff isn't over yet, but it's never too early to look ahead to 2026 (especially now that both Texas teams are eliminated).

Texas Longhorns (9/2 odds, +450)

The Longhorns enter 2026 with Texas-sized expectations as the odds-on favorite to win the CFP. Steve Sarkisian's program has been one play away from tying the semifinal game in two consecutive years, but the oddsmakers, like a large section of Longhorn Nation, are moving on to the Arch Manning era. 

Manning will operate behind an offensive line that might be replacing four of five starters, depending on whether or not right tackle Cameron Williams declares for the NFL Draft. The return of running back CJ Baxter, combined with a predicted leap for wide receiver Ryan Wingo, will only inflate the belief of Manning as the prince who was promised. On defense, Anthony Hill and Colin Simmons give Texas a dominant front seven, but the Longhorns have questions to answer in the backend after losing Thorpe Award winner Jahdae Barron, Andrew Mukuba, and potentially All-American Michael Taaffe. 

Texas A&M Aggies (33/1)

The Aggies were one game away from the SEC Championship in Mike Elko's first season. Could 2025 look more like the 7–1 start rather than the 1–4 finish? Texas A&M has the seventh-best odds in the SEC for the national title and, based on what happened this year, can only lose two games or less if it wants to make the tournament. The Aggies get the firs three conference games at Kyle Field, but must navigate a brutal road schedule visiting LSU, Missouri and Texas.

Texas A&M's enjoyed an excellent offseason, retaining offensive line anchor Armaj Reed-Adams and adding former five-star wide receiver Micah Hudson and NC State's Kevin Concepcion. The Aggies will have to replace defensive line stalwarts Shemar Turner, Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton, while playing much better in the secondary.

SMU Mustangs (75/1)

Of all Power Four teams to make the College Football Playoff this year, SMU has the lowest odds to win the CFP next season. No one bet on the Mustangs to make the CFP in their first ACC season, either.

A nightmare start for quarterback Kevin Jennings in the first round game against Penn State doesn't diminish the season he had or the hope he provides for next year. First Team All-ACC safety Isaiah Nwokobia headlines a secondary returning plenty of talent. The Mustangs will face Clemson and Miami in 2025 after missing them in the inaugural season.