Indiana Tops College Football Playoff Bracket; Miami, JMU In, Notre Dame Out

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Indiana Tops College Football Playoff Bracket; Miami, JMU In, Notre Dame Out

In a historic decision for the College Football Playoff (CFP), the selection committee has announced the teams that will compete for the championship. Indiana topped the playoff bracket, joined by Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech, all earning first-round byes. Miami and James Madison secured the final at-large spots, while Notre Dame was controversially left out.

Top Teams in the CFP Bracket

The top eight teams in the 12-team playoff are as follows:

1. Indiana
2. Ohio State
3. Georgia
4. Texas Tech
5. Oregon
6. Ole Miss
7. Texas A&M
8. Oklahoma

Notable Selections and Exclusions

The most significant surprise was the inclusion of Miami (Fla.), which moved ahead of Notre Dame in rankings based on a head-to-head victory in September. Despite a recent blowout loss in the SEC Championship, Alabama maintained its No. 9 ranking.

For the first time, two teams from “Group of 5” conferences—James Madison and Tulane—are participating in the playoffs. This entry resulted after Duke won the ACC championship, allowing Miami a chance to join the playoff field.

First-Round Matchups

The first-round matchups, scheduled for December 19 and 20, are:

James Madison at Oregon (Winner plays Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl)
Tulane at Ole Miss (Winner plays Georgia in the Sugar Bowl)
Miami at Texas A&M (Winner plays Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl)
Alabama at Oklahoma (Winner plays Indiana in the Rose Bowl)

Committee Controversies

The committee’s decisions have sparked debates, particularly regarding Alabama and Notre Dame’s exclusion. Chair Hunter Yurachek noted that BYU’s recent loss to Texas Tech impacted Miami’s ranking due to the head-to-head metric.

This year’s decision came after significant debates about how the rankings should reflect team performances over the regular season. Critics are calling for a reevaluation of the ranking show structure, similar to college basketball’s approach, which focuses on a single bracket reveal closer to tournament time.

Coaching Changes and Future Outlook

This year’s playoff marks a unique chapter with two first-round rematches. Ole Miss previously defeated Tulane, while Oklahoma edged out Alabama in a close contest. Coaches involved in these games face high stakes, especially with coaching transitions already in motion for several programs.

Indiana’s appearance in the Rose Bowl will be its first since the 1967 season. Ohio State anticipates playing in the Cotton Bowl, while Georgia prepares for potential matchups in the Sugar Bowl.

As the playoff unfolds, Notre Dame has opted out of a bowl game, concluding its season with a 10-2 record, leaving fans speculating about the future direction of the program.