College Football Playoff: CBS Sports predicts 12-team CFP bracket, full bowl slate projections after Week 5

The College Football Playoff and bowl game projections are here after Week 4 of the 2024 regular season, per CBS Sports.

Saturday night’s thriller in Tuscaloosa has caused some change at the top. Other big-time result results across the country have changed the overall bowl picture as well.

Let’s dive into the College Football Playoff and postseason bowl 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. Texas Longhorns (+4)

Texas got their first-ever SEC win against Mississippi State and jumped to the one-seed in CBS Sports’ projections. This would mean the Longhorns win the SEC Championship under head coach Steve Sarkisian in what would be the program’s second-straight conference title.

A bye week would allow Texas to rest, awaiting the winner of the 8 vs. 9 matchup, and their selection of the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl, or Sugar Bowl.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

We have yet to see Ohio State truly get tested but to this point, they are still considered favorites to win the Big Ten. Nothing has changed since the preseason as they have played through an easier schedule.

Competition is expected to pick up in the coming weeks, though. If the Buckeyes can come out unscathed, they might be in contention to earn the top spot in the College Football Playoff.

3. Miami Hurricanes (+1)

For a few moments, Miami had their first loss of the season after an incredible Hail Mary by Virginia Tech. But after a review, the call was overturned and Mario Cristobal earned his first 5-0 start as the program’s head coach.

Teams are beginning to emerge at the top of the ACC with Miami leading the way. A Heisman Trophy campaign is certainly brewing too with quarterback Cam Ward.

4. Utah Utes (-1)

Utah moved down a spot to No. 4 per CBS Sports, losing to Arizona in its Big 12 opener. Even so, they are projected to win the Big 12 and take one of the automatic qualifying spots with a bye.

Multiple teams are in contention to win the Big 12, being as wide open of a conference race as there is in college football. For now, Utah is getting the benefit of the doubt.

5. Alabama Crimson Tide (+1) vs. 12. Boise State Broncos

Alabama is fresh off a massive victory against Georgia, holding off what would have been a historic comeback. Kalen DeBoer‘s team still has a difficult road ahead, leaving them in the top spot of the at-large bids.

On the other side, Boise State would automatically qualify to represent the Group of Five schools. You have to imagine no defensive coordinator wants to face running back Ashton Jeanty.

8. Iowa State Cyclones vs. 9. Penn State Nittany Lions

Unchanged from a week ago, CBS projects Iowa State and Penn State to meet up in Ames with the winner getting Texas in the quarterfinals. An incredible atmosphere would be produced at Jack-Trice Stadium, truly showing what the expanded College Football Playoff can produce.

Both teams are undefeated through five weeks, sitting at 4-0 with one win in conference play. If this projection were to come to fruition, it would be the first CFP appearances for Iowa State and Penn State.

6. Oregon Ducks (+1) vs. 11. Clemson Tigers

Oregon moved up one spot and would be the second Big Ten team to get into the dance. Still considered contenders in the Big Ten, the Ducks will be hoping to win the conference and get a bye.

As for Clemson, CBS Sports has included them for the second straight week. Not many would have thought Dabo Swinney would be in this position following their season-opening blowout loss in Atlanta.

7. Georgia Bulldogs (-6) vs. 10. Michigan Wolverines

The last three national championships have come from Georgia and Michigan. A matchup between the two even took place in 2021 in a semifinal game before the Bulldogs won their first of two titles.

This go-round would be a little different, projected to take place in Athens. Michigan would make a rare trip into SEC Country and for the first time since 1985 when they faced South Carolina in Columbia.

Remaining Postseason Bowl Projections per CBS

Jan. 4

Bahamas Bowl: Louisiana Tech vs. Bowling Green

Jan 3.

Duke’s Mayo Bowl: SMU vs. Indiana
First Responder Bowl: Navy vs. Marshall

Jan. 2

Gator Bowl: Louisville vs. Missouri

Dec. 31

Texas Bowl: BYU vs. LSU
Citrus Bowl: Illinois vs. Texas A&M
Sun Bowl: Boston College vs. Arizona State
ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa vs. Tennessee

Dec. 30

Music City Bowl: Nebraska vs. Ole Miss

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. Oklahoma State
New Mexico Bowl: Colorado State vs. Arkansas State
Pinstripe Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Michigan State
Fenway Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. South Florida

Dec. 27

Las Vegas Bowl: Kentucky vs. Arizona
Holiday Bowl: NC State vs. Washington State
Liberty Bowl: Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma
Birmingham Bowl: Stanford vs. Arkansas
Armed Forces Bowl: West Virginia vs. Tulane

Dec. 26

68 Ventures Bowl: Buffalo vs. Coastal Carolina
Guaranteed Rate Bowl: TCU vs. Rutgers
Detroit Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Eastern Michigan

Dec. 24

Hawaii Bowl: South Alabama vs. Sam Houston State

Dec. 23

Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio vs. North Texas
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Liberty vs. James Madison

Dec. 20

Gasparilla Bowl: Appalachian State vs. South Carolina
Cure Bowl: East Carolina vs. Florida State

Dec. 19

New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana

Dec. 18

Los Angeles Bowl: UNLV vs. California
Boca Raton Bowl: Miami (OH) vs. UTSA

Dec. 17

Frisco Bowl: Texas State vs. Northern Illinois

Dec. 14

Camellia Bowl: UConn vs. Western Michigan