The College Football Playoff committee has unveiled its fifth set of rankings, serving as a pivotal update before the 12-team playoff bracket is finalized this Sunday. This expanded playoff format includes the top five conference champions and seven additional at-large teams. The four highest-ranked conference champions will receive first-round byes, while the remaining eight teams will face off in first-round games hosted at the higher-seeded schools.
Here’s a breakdown of the latest playoff projections, highlighting the byes and first-round matchups based on the current CFP rankings.
**First-Round Byes:**
1. Oregon Ducks
2. Texas Longhorns
3. SMU Mustangs
4. Boise State Broncos
**First-Round Matchups (Hosted on Campus):**
– No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers will visit No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes. The winner will face No. 1 Oregon.
– No. 12 Arizona State Sun Devils will take on No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions, with the winner moving on to play No. 4 Boise State.
– No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide will challenge No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, where the winner will meet No. 3 SMU.
– No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers will go up against No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs, and the winner will advance to play No. 2 Texas.
**Current 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 year’s playoffs promise competitive matchups and exciting moments as teams vie for a coveted spot in the national championship game scheduled for January 20, 2025. Fans can look forward to thrilling contests showcasing top college football talent, making this an exhilarating season for both players and supporters alike. With the expansion of the playoff format, more teams have the opportunity to showcase their skills and possibly make a run at the championship title.
As the playoff approaches, anticipation builds for the matchups that could define the college football landscape for years to come.