College Football Playoff: CBS Sports predicts 12-team CFP bracket, full bowl slate after Week 3
The College Football Playoff and bowl game projections are here after Week 3 of the 2024 regular season, per CBS Sports.
The 12-team bracket saw some changes after the results over the weekend. Some went up and some went down. But it’s still a very intriguing bracket, if the season ended today of course.
Let’s dive into the College Football Playoff and postseason projections from CBS Sports. The CFP teams will show movement up or down or an “NR” for not ranked in last week’s top 12 teams.
The top four teams in the country have a first-round bye in the 12-team playoff bracket
1. Georgia
Close call here for Georgia, beating Kentucky 13-12 on the road. Still, it wasn’t enough for CBS to drop the Bulldogs from the top spot in the playoff.
If the Wildcats go for it late rather than punt, maybe things would’ve been different. But we can’t play the what-if game. Georgia remained undefeated and will surely bounce back big.
2. Ohio State
The Buckeyes had a week off this weekend but remained in the No. 2 spot per CBS. The Buckeyes are the best team in the Big Ten by all rankings and have an argument for overall.
Marshall is next before Big Ten play opens with a road game against the Michigan State Spartans. But everyone has the Oregon game circled on October 12.
3. Miami
Miami dominated Ball State 62-0 and didn’t move up or down per CBS. Cam Ward threw five touchdown passes to keep his Heisman campaign going.
But this is clearly the best team in the ACC and the projections love the Hurricanes to get a top three seed. It’s just a matter if they can pass the top two at all.
4. Utah
The Utes improved to 3-0 on the season without Cam Rising at quarterback. CBS won’t drop them from the Big 12 champion projections.
Isaac Wilson filled in and threw for 239 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. But this weekend is a biggie with another projected playoff team: on the road at Oklahoma State.
5. Texas vs. No. 12 Memphis (NR)
Texas remained in this spot after another win. Arch Manning filled in for an injured Quinn Ewers and looked incredible.
Memphis is the new team this week, repping the Group of Five. The Tigers handled Florida State on the road to basically end the latter’s season. But the Memphis hype train is rolling.
8. Iowa State vs. No. 9 Penn State (-2)
The Cyclones had a week off after beating rival Iowa last week. So for now, Iowa State stands pat in the CBS projections.
Penn State dropped two spots during their respective week off. But that’s only due to another Big Ten team making a move upwards.
No. 6 Alabama vs. No. 11 Oklahoma State
Alabama dominated Wisconsin and stayed in CBS’ playoff projections as the No. 6 seed. Jalen Milroe and the offense ran past the Badgers while the defense suffocated Wisconsin’s attack every which way.
Oklahoma State didn’t move either, but got a 45-10 win over Tulsa on the road. Like it was previously mentioned, the Cowboys have a huge Big 12 matchup with Utah this weekend.
No. 7 Oregon (+2) vs. No. 10 Kansas State
Oregon moved up two spots per CBS after a dominating win over Oregon State. The Ducks renewed their rivalry with their in-state foe, despite switching conferences, and took care of business.
Kansas State did the same against a ranked Arizona team and thwarted the Wildcats Friday night. Sounds like the Wildcats, in purple at least, look like a College Football Playoff team.
Remaining Postseason Projections per CBS
Jan. 4
Bahamas Bowl: FIU vs. Bowling Green
Jan 3.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Clemson vs. Indiana
First Responder Bowl: Army vs. Marshall
Jan. 2
Gator Bowl: NC State vs. Missouri
Dec. 31
Texas Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma
Citrus Bowl: Michigan vs. Ole Miss
Sun Bowl: Louisville vs. Arizona State
ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa vs. Texas A&M
Dec. 30
Music City Bowl: Nebraska vs. LSU
Dec. 28
Independence Bowl: UTSA vs. Oregon State
Alamo Bowl: Kansas vs. USC
Military Bowl: Boston College vs. South Florida
Arizona Bowl: Boise State vs. Toledo
Pop-Tarts Bowl: Notre Dame vs. TCU
New Mexico Bowl: Colorado State vs. Arkansas State
Pinstripe Bowl: North Carolina vs. Illinois
Fenway Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina
Dec. 27
Holiday Bowl: Tennessee vs. Washington
Liberty Bowl: UCF vs. Kentucky
Birmingham Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Auburn
Armed Forces Bowl: Sam Houston State vs. North Texas
Dec. 26
68 Ventures Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Coastal Carolina
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Fresno State vs. Rutgers
Detroit Bowl: Michigan State vs. Miami (OH)
Dec. 24
Hawaii Bowl: Air Force vs. Jacksonville State
Dec. 23
Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio vs. San Jose State
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Liberty vs. James Madison
Dec. 20
Gasparilla Bowl: Appalachian State vs. South Carolina
Cure Bowl: Florida Atlantic vs. Syracuse
Dec. 19
New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana
Dec. 18
Los Angeles Bowl: UNLV vs. California
Boca Raton Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Tulane
Dec. 17
Frisco Bowl: Texas State vs. Northern Illinois
Dec. 14
Camellia Bowl: UConn vs. Eastern Michigan