ESPN has released its early predictions for the 12-team College Football Playoff tournament following the first week of action.
The 2024 NCAA football season marks the first season under the new College Football Playoff format. The previous four-team playoff format was used from 2014 to 2023, but it has now expanded to 12 teams.
With the first week in the books, ESPN’s Heather Dinich offered early projections for which 12 teams will battle it out for the national championship. The top four (in order from one to four) feature the Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns, Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The USC Trojans, Penn State Nittany Lions, Miami Hurricanes, and Ole Miss Rebels round out the five to eight spots. Dinich has the Alabama Crimson Tide, Oregon Ducks, Missouri Tigers and Utah Utes taking the nine to 12 spots to round out the College Football Playoff field.
The reigning champion Michigan Wolverines, currently ranked No. 10 in the nation, were notably absent from Dinich’s projections. Of course, Michigan can jump up in the rankings with a victory against the No. 3 ranked Longhorns on Saturday.
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Details On The College Football Playoff Format
Under the 12-team College Football Playoff format, the top four conference champions will get the luxury of a first-round bye. The opening round of the playoffs will see the No. 5 seed vs. the No. 12 seed, No. 6 vs. No. 11, No. 7 and No. 10 and No. 8 vs. No. 9.
Another important note: Teams will not be re-seeded after the opening round. The No. 1 seed will face the winner of 8 vs. 9, No. 2 will face the winner of 7 vs. 10, No. 3 will face the winner of 6 vs. 11 and No. 4 will face the winner of 5 vs. 12.
The national championship game will be played on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
