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College Football Playoff committee’s first poll release sheds light on how it views the top 25 teams in terms of playoff potential.
If anyone needs a poll after the election to pique curiosity and speculation, the College Football Playoff committee can provide one for the next four weeks until the postseason bracket comes out.
Tuesday’s first poll release sheds light on how the committee views the top 25 teams in terms of playoff potential. Only 12 teams will make the field in the newly expanded playoffs, after four teams had been the norm for a decade.
The top-five conference champions plus another seven at-large teams will make the field, and bye weeks go to the top four seeds in the bracket. While the committee’s poll doesn’t suggest what the bracket will look like, here’s how the playoffs could unfold if the postseason kicked off this week.
Seeding Based on Committee’s First Poll
No. 1 Oregon (9-0)
The Ducks are taking the Big Ten Conference by storm this season as the frontrunners to win it. If Oregon keeps winning, the road to the national championship game will run through Eugene, Oregon.No. 2 Georgia (7-1)
The Bulldogs look poised to win the SEC again behind both a strong offense and defense, and the reward includes not leaving the state for the postseason. Georgia can enjoy a big home-field advantage in Athens, Georgia, all the way to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.No. 3 Miami (9-0)
Other than a last-second scare against Virginia Tech, Miami has looked tough to beat all season and a possible lock for the ACC title. The Hurricanes will play most games at home but could need a cross-country trip to Oregon for a shot at the title game.No. 4 BYU (8-0)
Yes, the BYU Cougars could land the No. 4 seed as the Big 12 Conference champions if the team stays on course. The committee has the Cougars ranked No. 9 in the initial poll amid only one ranked team on the schedule thus far. If the Cougars go the distance, that would likely include a trip to Athens to face Georgia.No. 5 Ohio State (7-1)
The Buckeyes are fresh off a statement win at Penn State and played Oregon close a month ago. Ohio State could make a deep playoff run and knock off a higher seed or two on the road.No. 6 Texas (7-1)
Texas looked like the hottest team in the country at one point, and the Longhorns could still play into the new year. However, Texas will have to win big road games to reach Atlanta.No. 7 Penn State (7-1)
The Nittany Lions likely won’t get a whiteout at home in Happy Valley but could pull off a road upset. Penn State’s stingy defense allows 15 points per game, and the offense scores 30.8 points per game.No. 8 Tennessee (7-1)
Tennessee has an elite quarterback in Iamaleava Nico, and the defense gives up 12.38 points per game. The Vols, however, will have to play the whole way on the road.No. 9 Indiana (9-0)
While Indiana hasn’t beaten a ranked team yet, the Hoosiers have been dominant in every win this season. The Hoosiers will get a late-season test in No. 2 Ohio State, which could indicate how far this team could go in December.No. 10 Notre Dame (7-1)
Notre Dame’s early-season loss to Northern Illinois played a role in this seeding. The Irish have been heating up otherwise amid dominant wins over Georgia Tech, Stanford, and No. 24 Navy.No. 11 Alabama (6-2)
The Crimson Tide have a rare two losses but could make a run in the playoffs with quarterback Jalen Milroe. Alabama allows 18.6 points per game in addition to piling up points at 37.6 points per game.
Malachi Moore #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns an interception against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Oct.26, 2024. Jason Clark/Getty Images
No. 12 Boise State (7-1)
Boise State looks poised to take the Mountain West Conference title as the fifth conference winner. The Broncos will need style points with the committee in order to get a higher seed and have any chance for the nation to see the blue field turf in Boise, Idaho.First Round Predictions
No. 5 Ohio State beats No. 12 Boise State 42-24: Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard has too much talent around him for the Broncos to stop.No. 9 Indiana stuns No. 8 Tennessee 27-24: Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke shows the nation they belong.
No. 11 Alabama upsets No. 6 Texas 24-21: Texas has trouble with another SEC power at home.
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No. 10 Notre Dame beats No. 7 Penn State 30-14: The Nittany Lions don’t have enough answers for Irish quarterback Riley Leonard and company.
Riley Leonard #13 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish warms up prior to facing the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Oct.19, 2024. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Second Round Predictions
No. 5 Ohio State beats No. 4 BYU 45-21: The Buckeyes defense contains the Cougars’ high-flying offense.No. 1 Oregon escapes No. 9 Indiana 30-27: Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel won’t let his team lose, but Indiana makes it close.
No. 11 Alabama stuns No. 3 Miami 28-27: the Crimson Tide succeed in slowing down Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward.
No. 2 Georgia beats No. 10 Notre Dame 35-17: Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck proves to be too much for the Irish defense.
Semifinal Predictions
No. 1 Oregon edges No. 5 Ohio State 31-30: Gabriel and the Ducks come up with late-game heroics against the Buckeyes.No. 2 Georgia beats No. 11 Alabama 27-24: the Bulldogs avenge an early-season loss in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to the Tide.
National Championship Prediction
No. 1 Oregon beats No. 2 Georgia 28-21: Gabriel has the Ducks offense clicking, and the defense makes enough stops against Beck and the Bulldogs.
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