The College Football Playoff committee has unveiled its fifth set of rankings, which serve as the final indication before the much-anticipated 12-team playoff bracket is finalized on Sunday. This groundbreaking expansion enables a more inclusive postseason tournament in college football, set to consist of five highest-ranked conference champions alongside seven at-large teams.
The structure ensures that the top four conference champions will enjoy first-round byes, while the remaining eight teams compete at the home venues of the higher seeds.
The latest projections for the upcoming playoff bracket are as follows:
**First-Round Byes:**
1. Oregon Ducks
2. Texas Longhorns
3. SMU Mustangs
4. Boise State Broncos
**First-Round Matchups (to be held on campus):**
– No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers at No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes (Winner faces No. 1 Oregon)
– No. 12 Arizona State Sun Devils at No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions (Winner faces No. 4 Boise State)
– No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide at No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Winner faces No. 3 SMU)
– No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers at No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs (Winner faces No. 2 Texas)
**Top 25 Rankings:**
1. Oregon (12-0)
2. Texas (11-1)
3. Penn State (11-1)
4. Notre Dame (11-1)
5. Georgia (10-2)
6. Ohio State (10-2)
7. Tennessee (10-2)
8. SMU (11-1)
9. Indiana (11-1)
10. Boise State (11-1)
11. Alabama (9-3)
12. Miami (10-2)
13. Ole Miss (9-3)
14. South Carolina (9-3)
15. Arizona State (10-2)
16. Iowa State (10-2)
17. Clemson (9-3)
18. BYU (10-2)
19. Missouri (9-3)
20. UNLV (10-2)
21. Illinois (9-3)
22. Syracuse (9-3)
23. Colorado (9-3)
24. Army (10-1)
25. Memphis (10-2)
This new playoff format promises to enhance the excitement around college football as it allows more teams an opportunity to compete for the national title. As fans eagerly await the final bracket announcement, teams will strive to secure their positions and make a mark in this historic playoff season.
The expansion of the playoff system serves as a hopeful sign of progress in college football, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and competition. This not only rewards successful programs but also provides a platform for underrepresented teams to shine on a national stage.