College Football Playoff: CBS Sports predicts 12-team CFP bracket, full bowl slate projections after Week 7

Week 7 was one of the most highly anticipated weekends of college football heading into the season and it certainly lived up to the hype. With plenty of marquee matchups featuring ranked programs and the nation’s top teams delivering numerous epic games.

The new 12-team College Football Playoff format has made each and every weekend crucial regarding the postseason picture. And this Saturday was no different, as the results from the weekend have quickly changed the rankings and predictions for how the expanded CFP and other bowl games could look.

CBS Sports updated their projections for the College Football Playoff and all of the bowl games following the regular season after Week 7’s action. Check out their full projections and how much several teams moved in them below.

1. Texas

Texas remains at the top of the CBS rankings and the AP Poll following their dominant win over rival Oklahoma this weekend. Staying undefeated and beating the Sooners 34-3 in the 120th edition of the Red River Rivalry.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers returned from his abdominal injury this weekend after missing the team’s last two games. Doing so at a perfect time as the Longhorns face their tallest task of the season when Georgia visits this weekend.

2. Ohio State

Despite losing on the road to Oregon in a 32-31 thriller in Eugene, CBS still has Ohio State tabbed as the two-seed for the College Football Playoff. Anticipating a Big Ten Championship win and first-round playoff bye for the Buckeyes following their first loss of the season.

There’s no question that the Buckeyes are still a powerhouse with one of the most loaded rosters in the nation. Who could likely meet the Ducks yet again in the conference title game in a potential neutral site rematch for the ages.

3. Miami

The Miami Hurricanes had a bye week for Week 7. But that didn’t stop the Hurricanes from staying firm in their No. 3 spot of the rankings as the favorite to take home the ACC title following an impressive undefeated start to the season.

The Hurricanes have definitely kept things close lately, needing two 20-plus point comeback wins in their last two games to stay unbeaten. But the heroics of new quarterback Cam Ward have Miami looking like they could definitely beat any team in the country on a good day.

4. Iowa State (+4)

Iowa State climbs up a whopping four spots into a first-round playoff bye in the eyes of CBS after their sixth-straight win this weekend. Defeating West Virginia 28-16 on the road in Morgantown to stay undefeated.

The Cyclones securing a four-seed means they’d be winning the Big 12 title this year in a conference that’s been all over the place this season. But through it all, they’ve remained consistent and are just one of two teams in the league still unbeaten.

No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Oregon

Oregon stays at the No. 5 spot as the first team out despite being Ohio State head-to-head this weekend. It is hard to beat a team twice, but the Ducks did jump up to No. 2 in the AP Poll despite CBS’ playoff projection.

The Ducks would have to beat Boise State a second time as well if they did get this draw in the CFP. As the Broncos still hold the title for the highest-ranked Group of Five team led by the best running back in the country.

No. 9 BYU (NR) at No. 8 Penn State (+1)

BYU jumps from not ranked in the top 12 to the No. 9 team following another big conference win. Staying undefeated on Saturday in a 41-19 win over Arizona at home where they’ve won big all season long so far.

The Cougars would take a trip to Happy Valley in this scenario to take on Penn State. Who also made a jump in the rankings after winning an overtime thriller against USC this weekend in Los Angeles.

No. 11 Texas A&M  at No. 6 Alabama

A College Football Playoff matchup between two SEC opponents seems inevitable this postseason. Which CBS is projecting with Texas A&M taking a visit to Tuscaloosa to take on a familiar with Alabama.

Alabama won a surprisingly close game this weekend at home against South Carolina that continues to draw concern after their upset loss to Vanderbilt. While Texas A&M still stands as the only 3-0 team in SEC play coming out of their bye week.

No. 10 Clemson  at No. 7 Georgia

CBS projects another regular season rematch in the first round of the expanded CFP with Clemson facing Georgia in Athens. A rematch that will not be too far from Mercedes-Benz Stadium where the two teams squared off in Week 1.

The Tigers look brand new and have one of the nation’s best offenses following their embarrassing Week 1 showing to the Bulldogs. While Georgia still has plenty of challenging matchups on their schedule as they look to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Remaining Postseason Bowl Projections after playoff

Jan. 4

Bahamas Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. Bowling Green

Jan 3.

Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Illinois
First Responder Bowl: Navy vs. Arkansas State

Jan. 2

Gator Bowl: SMU vs. Tennessee

Dec. 31

Texas Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. LSU
Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Missouri
Sun Bowl: Syracuse vs. Arizona State
ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa vs. Ole Miss

Dec. 30

Music City Bowl: Nebraska vs. Kentucky

Dec. 28

Independence Bowl: Army vs. Oregon State
Alamo Bowl: Kansas State vs. USC
Military Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Memphis
Arizona Bowl: Fresno State vs. Toledo
Pop-Tarts Bowl: Notre Dame vs. Texas Tech
New Mexico Bowl: San Diego State vs. North Texas
Pinstripe Bowl: Louisville vs. Indiana
Fenway Bowl: NC State vs. South Florida

Dec. 27

Las Vegas Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Washington State
Holiday Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Utah
Liberty Bowl: West Virginia vs. Arkansas
Birmingham Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. Vanderbilt
Armed Forces Bowl: Boston College vs. Tulane

Dec. 26

68 Ventures Bowl: Buffalo vs. Georgia Southern
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: TCU vs. Rutgers
Detroit Bowl: Michigan State vs. Eastern Michigan

Dec. 24

Hawaii Bowl: South Alabama vs. Sam Houston State

Dec. 23

Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio vs. Colorado State
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Liberty vs. James Madison

Dec. 20

Gasparilla Bowl: Wisconsin vs. North Carolina
Cure Bowl: East Carolina vs. Marshall

Dec. 19

New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana

Dec. 18

Los Angeles Bowl: UNLV vs. Arizona
Boca Raton Bowl: Miami (OH) vs. Duke

Dec. 17

Frisco Bowl: Texas State vs. Northern Illinois

Dec. 14

Camellia Bowl: UConn vs. Western Michigan