The College Football Playoff committee has unveiled its fifth set of rankings, paving the way for the first-ever 12-team playoff beginning this season, with the final bracket set to be revealed on Sunday. This expanded format will include five highest-ranked conference champions along with seven additional at-large teams.
In this new playoff structure, the top four conference champions are awarded first-round byes, while the remaining eight teams will face off in games hosted at the home venues of the higher-seeded teams.
The latest projected playoff bracket showcases the following first-round byes and matchups:
**First-Round Byes:**
1. Oregon Ducks (No. 1 seed)
2. Texas Longhorns (No. 2 seed)
3. SMU Mustangs (No. 3 seed)
4. Boise State Broncos (No. 4 seed)
**First-Round Matchups:**
– 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)
The current top 25 teams are led by the undefeated Oregon Ducks, followed closely by the Texas Longhorns and Penn State Nittany Lions, both with one loss this season.
This new playoff format is a game-changer for college football enthusiasts, offering more teams the opportunity to compete for the national championship and enhancing the excitement of the postseason. Fans can look forward to thrilling matchups and increased competition in the upcoming weeks.
As college football enters this new era, the anticipation and engagement from fans will undoubtedly grow, showcasing the sport’s evolving landscape. The expectations are high, and this expansion promises to deliver memorable moments that could shape the future of collegiate athletics.