ACC and surprise programs eye College Football Playoff spots

As the 2026 college football season progresses, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is positioned to potentially send two teams to the College Football Playoff (CFP). Miami currently leads the conference with a 7-0 record and a 5-0 conference standing. Other ACC programs, including Wake Forest and SMU, remain in contention for postseason spots under the current 12-team playoff format.

Beyond the ACC, several unexpected programs have emerged as legitimate contenders. UCLA, led by first-year head coach Bob Chesney, holds a 7-0 record and faces critical upcoming matchups against Michigan and USC. Other surprise teams performing well in the AP Top 25 include Kentucky, Northwestern, and Wake Forest, all of whom face increasingly difficult schedules as the season approaches November.