Kirk Herbstreit Names Three Early National Championship Favorites

Kirk Herbstreit, one of the most prominent voices in college football analysis, has released his early predictions for the 2026 College Football Playoff national championship race. During an interview on The Pat McAfee Show on July 22, 2026, Herbstreit highlighted Notre Dame, Miami, and Texas A&M as his top contenders for the title. His comments come amid growing anticipation for the new college football season, which begins in late August. Herbstreit’s list includes teams that have shown resilience and strength in recent seasons. He began with Notre Dame, a program that finished the 2025 season with a 12-1 record but was excluded from the College Football Playoff despite winning its final 10 games. The Fighting Irish suffered two consecutive losses to open the 2025 campaign, first to Miami and then to Texas A&M, which influenced the selection committee’s decision. This year, however, Herbstreit believes Notre Dame will be ready to prove itself once again. Next on Herbstreit’s list was Miami, a team that reached the College Football Playoff national championship game in 2025. There, the Hurricanes faced off against the undefeated Hoosiers led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. Despite a valiant effort, Miami fell short in a hard-fought contest. Still, Herbstreit sees the Hurricanes as a legitimate threat in 2026, citing their ability to compete at the highest level even in defeat. Texas A&M rounded out Herbstreit’s top three. The Aggies had an impressive start to the 2025 season, going 11-0 before losing twice in the postseason. Their first-round exit came in a narrow loss to Miami, ending their hopes of reaching the national championship game. However, Herbstreit pointed to the return of quarterback Marcel Reed as a key factor in Texas A&M’s potential resurgence. Reed, who missed much of the 2025 season due to injury, is expected to bring a renewed sense of energy and leadership to the Aggie offense. Herbstreit’s selections contrasted with other analysts who have placed teams such as Ohio State, Texas, Oregon, Indiana, and Georgia among their favorites. While these programs have strong track records and talented rosters, Herbstreit argued that Notre Dame, Miami, and Texas A&M possess the combination of experience, talent, and momentum necessary to contend for the national title. The exclusion of Notre Dame from the 2025 College Football Playoff remains a point of contention within the college football community. Many fans and analysts believe the Fighting Irish should have been included based on their performance in the regular season. Herbstreit’s prediction suggests that Notre Dame may finally get the recognition it deserves in 2026. Miami’s 2025 championship game appearance demonstrated that the Hurricanes can hold their own against the best teams in the nation. Even though they lost to the Hoosiers, the experience gained from competing at that level could serve them well in the coming years. For Texas A&M, the challenge lies in maintaining consistency throughout the entire season, particularly after their high-profile postseason exits. As the college football landscape continues to evolve, the competition for the national title promises to be fierce. With multiple powerhouses vying for supremacy, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in recent memory. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Herbstreit’s early predictions hold true.