College Football Sleepers for the 2026/27 Season

2026/27 College Football Sleeper Teams To Get Behind

Each year, we see the College Football world be dominated by the likes of Alabama, Oregon, Ohio State and Notre Dame. It’s gotten to the point where we can almost guarantee a playoff final between two of these teams each year. However, that won’t stop most people from rooting for the underdogs, or literally any team that isn’t one of these. Our NCAAF expert picks for this year's sleepers are based on the hard numbers. We want to see something different, something new and exciting. Any one that follows College Football Predictions knows there are plenty of different programs in CFB that look to be on the verge of taking that next step towards contention, whether that be because of a new coach, a new quarterback, or maybe just a really good recruiting class. These teams will be some that maybe you wouldn’t expect to see make the college football playoff, but have a realistic shot to make a run at it and challenge these historically dominant teams. Let’s take a look at some and evaluate their odds to win the championship and their conference.

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Washington Huskies
Championship Odds: +12000
To Win Big 10 Odds: +2400

After going 9-4 (8-4 Big Ten) last season, the Huskies only losses last year can to then #1 ranked Ohio State, #6 ranked Oregon and on the road at Michigan. They've got a solid coaching staff behind 3rd year coach Jedd Fisch and a proven QB in Desmond Willams Jr. They come into the 2026/27 season ranked 17th in the country, however their schedule isn't any easier this season as they'll have 5 games against preseason top-25 ranked teams.

Washington will be able to avoid Ohio State this season, but will last year's National Champion Indiana followed by Oregon to finish off the season. Their first 3 games of the season should be a nice warmup, as they take on Washington State, Utah State and Eastern Washington before conference play kicks off at home against Minnesota. The Big 10 has become the "powerhouse" conference in CFB over the past few years, and the Huskies have the chance to play spoiler for many teams this year.

Oklahoma Sooners
Championship Odds: +3000
To Win SEC Odds: +1100

The Sooners made it to the CFP last season after finishing the regular season 10-2. Along the was they were able to knock off 5 top-25 ranked teams including Michigan, Auburn, Tennessee, Alabama and Missouri. They lost to Bama in the first round of the CFP, but they won't play them again this year unless both teams make it to the playoffs again.

It's not going to be an easy road for Oklahoma, that's for sure. They've got 6 games against top-25 ranked teams including Georgia and Texas back to back and Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Missouri all in a row to finish out the season. OU has a solid QB in John Mateer and an established defence, but their rushing game is still a big question. In the projected "three horse race" that is the SEC Championship, the Sooners may have the toughest road of all, but I'm certainly not counting them out.

Clemson Tigers
Championship Odds: +13000
To Win ACC Odds: +1400

The Tigers struggled last season, going 7-5 before losing to Penn State in the Pinstripe Bowl to finish 7-6, 4-4 in the ACC. All that despite only having 2 games against top-25 ranked teams, though they were able to knock off #20 ranked Louisville. Their schedule looks much the same this year, with LSU and Miami as their only preseason ranked opponents.

They've got a new offensive coordinator and a relatively "untested" QB in Christopher Vizzina, so their season truly could go either way. They do have the "advantage" that they avoid SMU and Louisville this season, but they are truly a dark horse team this season.

Arizona State Sun Devils
Championship Odds: +30000
To Win Big 12 Odds: +2250

Eight wins last season, going 6-3 in the ACC, the Sun Devils were out sleeper pick last year as well, and we expected them to have a much better season than they did. Their shot at winning the ACC will go through Texas A&M, Texas Tech and BYU, all of who are preseason top-25 teams.

ASU will have a new starting QB, and also they'll be without their leading rusher, Raleek Brown, who transfered to Texas. WR Derek Eusebio, who led the Sun Devils in receiving yards in three of their games last season will return, but their other leading receivers were all drafted into the NFL. They were able to pick up pieces in the transfer portal, so the first two weeks should let us know what we can really expect from Arizona State this season.