12-Team College Football Playoff Bracket Predictions after Week 13 features the SEC worst case scenario
The 2024 College Football Playoff Bracket looks like it's almost solidified. However, we did just see multiple top ten teams lose for the third straight week in a row. We might as well see one more wild week of completely game-changing results for the bracket. But in the meantime, before everything changes again, what will […]
The 2024 College Football Playoff Bracket looks like it's almost solidified. However, we did just see multiple top ten teams lose for the third straight week in a row. We might as well see one more wild week of completely game-changing results for the bracket. But in the meantime, before everything changes again, what will the playoff bracket look like this week?
Will Indiana's only loss be their downfall? Does Alabama or Ole Miss have any real shot left at making the College Football Playoff? Are they really going to give Boise State a bye again? There are so many questions at hand with just one week of regular season action left.
But before we dive into predicting what the bracket will look like this week, here's where things landed in the selection committee's playoff projections last Tuesday:
This is becoming a trend, but Oregon and Texas are going to be a lock as the top two seeds. Ohio State will assuredly be the five seed because they just logged yet another top ten win, but did lose to Oregon. However, outside of that, the committee has an opportunity to shuffle up the rest of the bracket quite a bit. Based on what we learned last week from the committee and applying the results from Week 13 games, here's where the rankings most likely land for this Tuesday's rankings show (playoff seed in parentheses).
Top 25 College Football Playoff Rankings Prediction
- Oregon (1)
- Ohio State (5)
- Texas (2)
- Penn State (6)
- Notre Dame (7)
- Miami (3)
- Georgia (8)
- Tennessee (9)
- Boise State (4)
- SMU (10)
- Indiana (11)
- Clemson
- Alabama
- Ole Miss
- Arizona State (12)
- South Carolina
- Tulane
- Iowa State
- Texas A&M
- BYU
- Missouri
- Colorado
- UNLV
- Illinois
- Army
Many fans have gotten used to the College Football Playoff rankings functioning rather simply. In prior years the top four teams got in, and that was it. This year though, the bracket is a bit more complicated. If you want a full run down of everything to know about the playoff you can find that here.
In short, the top four conference champions receive a first round bye. The fifth highest ranked conference champion also earns an automatic playoff bid, but they aren't guaranteed any particular seed. So, based on the Top 25 rankings above, this is how the playoff bracket would look:
If the bracket does indeed look like this it would be the worst case scenario for the SEC. They would only have three total teams in and two of them would be playing in the first round. And not only that, it's a game that we just saw played less than two weeks ago (Tennessee at Georgia).
When the season began it seemed impossible that only three SEC teams would be making it into the playoff field. However, most probably thought it would be impossible to see a bracket with Indiana, SMU, and Arizona State in it too, but here we are.
Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame, and Georgia would all host first round playoff games on campus in this particular scenario. Oregon and Dillon Gabriel would host the Rose Bowl, Texas and Quinn Ewers the Sugar Bowl, Miami (FL) and Cam Ward the Peach Bowl, and Ashton Jeanty and his Boise State Broncos would still be hosting the Fiesta Bowl.
Why those particular bowl assignments in the second round? This 12-Team College Football Playoff structure attempts to link conferences to their historically related New Year's Six Bowl games. And since Arizona State (in this case the implied Big 12 champion) ranks so low, below Boise State in the overall rankings, they would miss out on hosting the Fiesta Bowl.
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You may notice that despite Clemson being ranked 12th they would actually be the first team out. That is because although Arizona State ranks behind them, they're implied to be their respective conference champions.
The "First Four Out" would be Clemson, Alabama, Ole Miss, and South Carolina in this scenario. Clemson would just need Miami or SMU to slip up and they would likely secure a spot in the ACC Championship and the playoff.
Alabama would likely need Clemson and one of SMU, Miami, Georgia, or Tennessee to lose to have any hope. Ole Miss would likely need to see Alabama, Clemson, and one of the fringe playoff teams to falter to have any shot. South Carolina likely begins the range where teams actually don't have any real path to the playoff. Tulane (or the AAC champion) might if Boise State collapses, but that seems unlikely.
Everything you need to know about how the College Football Playoff bracket works
The 2024-25 College Football Playoff is a historic venture. With the introduction of a 12-team bracket, fans will enjoy unprecedented competition for the first time ever. However, the new changes may confuse you about where your favorite team will play. We're breaking down how the College Football Playoff format works and have examples to give […]
The first ever 12-Team College Football Playoff is almost here and it's already given fans a chaotic ride. And based on how this season has gone there won't be any shortage of wild outcomes still to come.
We'll be back with more College Football Playoff coverage here at A to Z Sports all season long! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
