College Football Playoff Projections: Predicting 12-team CFP field ahead of conference championship week
The College Football Playoff selection committee released the latest rankings update on Tuesday. It will mark the final update before the 12-team postseason field is announced on Selection Day, which takes place on Sunday.
While the regular season has concluded, several teams will be vying to make one final statement during conference championship week.
Here's a closer look at an early projection of which teams will make the College Football Playoff.
College Football Playoff projections ahead of conference championship week
#1. Oregon Ducks
The No. 1 Oregon Ducks are the only FBS team that has not lost a game this season, as they finished the regular season with a 12-0 record and a 9-0 mark in their first season of Big Ten play.
While they appear to be a lock to reach the College Football Playoff entering their Big Ten Championship Game matchup with the Penn State Nittany Lions, they will be playing for a first-round bye and the top overall seed. The prediction here is that the Ducks get the job done.
#2. Georgia Bulldogs
The No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs face the Texas Longhorns in the SEC Championship Game after finishing the regular season with a 10-2 record that included a 6-2 mark in conference games. The two teams met at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Week 8 with the Bulldogs pulling off a 30-15 road victory. Look for them to repeat that success on a neutral field.
#3. Boise State Broncos
The No. 10 Boise State Broncos were 11-1 overall and 7-0 in Mountain West Conference play during the regular season. They will face the UNLV Rebels with the opportunity to earn a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. The Broncos visited the Rebels in Week 9 and won 29-24. Look for Boise State to beat their opponent again in the conference championship, which they will host.
#4. Clemson Tigers
The No. 17 Clemson Tigers finished the regular season 9-3, with a 7-1 record in ACC play. They face the SMU Mustangs in the ACC Championship Game. While both teams did not meet in the regular season, the prediction is that the Tigers will emerge victorious and jump the winner of the Big 12 Championship Game to earn the final first-round bye.
#5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The No. 4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish finished the regular season with an 11-1 record, that included a 10-game winning streak to close things out. While they are not eligible for a first-round bye as they are not a part of any conference, they appear to be a lock to host a first-round game.
#6. Texas Longhorns
The No. 2 Texas Longhorns were 11-1 in the regular season, including finishing 7-1 in their first season of SEC play. While they have a chance to earn a first-round bye, the Georgia Bulldogs were the pick to earn the SEC's automatic bid. The Longhorns should not fall much, even with a loss.
#7. Ohio State Buckeyes
The No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes finished the regular season with a 10-2 record, including a 7-2 mark in Big Ten play. While they missed out on the Big Ten Championship Game due to a Week 14 loss, they appear to be in a position to host a first-round matchup.
#8. Penn State Nittany Lions
The No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions went 11-1, and 8-1 in conference matchups. They have an opportunity to earn a first-round bye – and potentially the top overall seed – in the Big Ten Championship Game. The prediction here is that they fall to the Oregon Ducks and suffer a small slide in the rankings, but retain home-field advantage in the opening round.
#9. Tennessee Volunteers
The No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers finished with a 10-2 record, which included a 6-2 mark in SEC play. They did not reach the SEC Championship Game, however, they appear to be in a position to reach the postseason. While they could host a first-round matchup if things break their way, the safer bet is that they wind up on the road.
#10. Indiana Hoosiers
The No. 9 Indiana Hoosiers were one of the biggest surprises of the season as they went 11-1 and 8-1 in Big Ten play. While they appear unlikely to earn home-field advantage in the first round, they remain in a strong position to reach the College Football Playoff.
#11. Alabama Crimson Tide
The No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide have brought forth plenty of debate as they are 9-3 and 5-3 in SEC play. The College Football Playoff selection committee has already shown that they believe a three-loss Alabama team is better than a two-loss ACC program as they had them ahead of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the latest rankings. Look for the Crimson Tide to hold their spot regardless of the outcome of the ACC Championship Game.
#12. Arizona State Sun Devils
The No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils finished the regular season with a 10-2 record, including a 7-2 mark in Big 12 play. They will face the Iowa State Cyclones for the conference's automatic bid to the College Football Playoff.
While the two teams did not meet in the regular season, the Sun Devils have been playing their best stretch of football. Look for them to extend their five-game winning streak and reach the postseason.