Could Cincinnati Still Make the 2026 College Football Playoff?

Cincinnati was a fun story after Week 7, but there weren’t many college football fans taking the Bearcats seriously as a potential playoff team. 

Expectations for Cincinnati football odds were low, and the team had already taken two conference losses.

But Cincinnati’s surprise Week 8 win over previously undefeated Texas Tech changed the landscape of the Big 12. 

With another game against an undefeated opponent in Week 9, Cincinnati has a rare opportunity to score top 10 wins in back-to-back weeks. 

If the Utes go down at Nippert this weekend, we have to at least ask the question: Could Cincinnati actually become a contender for a College Football Playoff bid?

Cincinnati College Football Playoff Odds

At BetMGM, Cincinnati is currently +8000 to make the 2026 College Football Playoff.

Cincinnati Football: Key Remaining Games

• Week 9: home vs. Utah
• Week 10: at Houston
• Week 13: at BYU

Cincinnati College Football Playoff Prediction

I am predicting Cincinnati will miss the 2026 College Football Playoff.

I probably give Cincinnati a better shot than most to score a big upset this weekend, but the Utah game actually isn’t the problem. Cincinnati’s Big 12 schedule is horrifically challenging, with games still to come at Houston, Iowa State, and BYU.

It’s hard to imagine a three-loss, non-champion Cincinnati team making the playoff. That means Cincinnati would basically have to win out to make the CFP. I couldn’t possibly make that a prediction.

Cincinnati could end up as a quirky 2026 footnote as a team that lost several conference games but also defeated multiple top 10 opponents. 

Yes @ +8000