Predicting the College Football Playoff Field Post-Conference Championships
As conference championships wrap up in college football, the focus shifts to the upcoming College Football Playoff (CFP) selection. With key matchups completed, the playoff field is beginning to take shape. Anticipation surrounds the selection show scheduled for Sunday at 9 a.m. PT on ESPN. The playoff committee will finalize its rankings based on the latest conference results.
Playoff Locks and Elimination
The following teams are projected as locks for the playoff:
- Indiana Hoosiers
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
- Oregon Ducks
- Ole Miss Rebels
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Tulane Green Wave
- James Madison Dukes
Conversely, teams likely to be eliminated include:
- BYU
- Virginia
- North Texas
- Duke
Intriguing Questions Ahead
The biggest question revolves around the status of Alabama, Notre Dame, and Miami. After falling to Georgia, Alabama has a three-loss record and currently sits at No. 9. How the selection committee evaluates their performance compared to the two-loss teams will significantly influence the final rankings.
Final Projection for the CFP Field
Here’s the anticipated structure of the 12-team playoff, including the seeding.
| Seed | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana Hoosiers* | Conference Champion |
| 2 | Ohio State Buckeyes | |
| 3 | Georgia Bulldogs* | Conference Champion |
| 4 | Texas Tech Red Raiders* | Conference Champion |
| 5 | Oregon Ducks | |
| 6 | Ole Miss Rebels | |
| 7 | Texas A&M Aggies | |
| 8 | Oklahoma Sooners | |
| 9 | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | |
| 10 | Alabama Crimson Tide | |
| 11 | Tulane Green Wave* | Conference Champion |
| 12 | James Madison Dukes* | Conference Champion |
Upcoming Playoff Schedule
The first-round matchups will take place on December 19 and 20. The quarterfinals are scheduled for December 31 and January 1. Semifinals will follow on January 8 and 9, leading up to the national championship on January 19 in Miami.
Conference Championship Highlights
The results from the conference championships dramatically shaped the playoff landscape:
- ACC Championship: Duke 27, No. 17 Virginia 20 (OT)
- Big Ten Championship: No. 2 Indiana 13, No. 1 Ohio State 10
- SEC Championship: No. 3 Georgia 28, No. 9 Alabama 7
- Big 12 Championship: No. 4 Texas Tech 34, No. 11 BYU 7
- MAC Championship: Western Michigan 23, Miami (Ohio) 13
The outcomes of these games have not only defined potential playoff teams but also highlighted surprises and upsets. With the selection show on the horizon, fans eagerly await the official playoff lineup.
