College Football Playoff: ESPN predicts 2024 12-team bracket, full bowl slate after Week 8

With the season almost two-thirds the way over now following Week 8, ESPN has released their updated postseason picture, including new projections for the 2024 College Football Playoff.

The Big Ten was the big winner in this weekend’s release with the most teams in the playoff now at four with the No. 1 seed as well. As such, the SEC is down to second most with two to three teams and no longer having the top seed. The ACC and Big 12 then have two teams apiece in the projections along with one each from the independents and the Group of Five.

Here’s how ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach see the playoff following the games of this past week:

College Football Playoff: First-round game #1

Bonagura: No. 12 Notre Dame at No. 5 Penn State
Schlabach: No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Ohio State

A Big Ten team would be hosting in the five-twelve matchup with the top at-large Ohio State or Penn State.

As for No. 12, Notre Dame still finds itself there for Bonagura. Schlabach actually took a champion from Group of Five, though, with his selection still being Boise State out of the Mountain West

College Football Playoff: First-round game #2

Bonagura: No. 11 Iowa State at No. 6 Ohio State
Schlabach: No. 11 Iowa State at No. 6 Penn State

Iowa State, one of two undefeated teams left in the Big 12, is the No. 11 seed for both experts at ESPN. Despite needing a two-score comeback in the second half yesterday, the Cyclones have now matched their best start in school history at 7-0.

They’d then find themselves on the road against one of the two teams from the previous projection with them going vice-versa with the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions at No. 6.

College Football Playoff: First-round game #3

Bonagura: No. 10 BYU at No. 7 Texas
Schlabach: No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Texas

Texas had been the No. 1 overall seed for some time now this season for ESPN. However, with their 15-point loss to Georgia in Austin, the Longhorns are down all the way to No. 7

With that, The 40 Acres would welcome a No. 10 seed in either the BYU Cougars or now the Indiana Hoosiers.

College Football Playoff: First-round game #4

Bonagura: No. 9 Clemson at No. 8 Indiana
Schlabach: No. 9 Clemson at No. 8 Tennessee

Clemson stayed around the same seeding again with the Tigers being on the road now as the No. 9 seed in the CFP.

However, their location and opponent has changed for both with two teams moving past them in the projection. Bonagura has them going to play Indiana in Bloomington whole Schlabach has them facing Tennessee on Rocky Top.

CFP Quarterfinal at the Fiesta Bowl

Bonagura: No. 5 Penn State vs. No. 4 Boise State
Schlabach: No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 4 BYU

With where things stand in the Big 12, Bonagura still has Boise State in his playoff as well but with a bye as one of the four highest-rated conference champions. That would mean the Broncos would face Penn State in his projection for the Fiesta Bowl.

On the opposite, Schlabach still has faith in the Big 12. He has BYU being their champion in the top-four with Ohio State being their matchup in this quarterfinal.

CFP Quarterfinal at the Peach Bowl

Bonagura: No. 6 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Miami
Schlabach: No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 3 Miami

Miami has managed to maintain their spot at No. 2 despite three weeks of closer calls in league play. Still, unless actually defeated, the ‘Canes remain one of the top contenders in their conference as each have them as their winner of the ACC Championship.

That would again lead to a game for someone in this field against one of the Buckeyes or Nittany Lions.

CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game

Bonagura: No. 8 Clemson vs. No. 1 Oregon
Schlabach: No. 9 Clemson vs. No. 1 Oregon

Regardless of seeding, the Rose Bowl would be the exact same matchup for both with Ducks vs. Tigers.

Oregon took the No. 1 seed this week following their win over Ohio State, a follow up on Friday, and then Texas’ loss. That has them playing in Pasadena against a quality opponent, based on every game besides their opener, in Clemson.

CFP Quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl

Bonagura: No. 7 Texas vs. No. 2 Georgia
Schlabach: No. 7 Texas vs. No. 2 Georgia

Déjà vu? Unfortunately for the Longhorns, yes.

After playing just last night in a 30-15 outcome, Georgia vs. Texas is a projected playoff game by ESPN. It was previously a national championship prediction in this series but is now a quarterfinal by this one for the Sugar Bowl.

CFP Semifinal at the Orange Bowl

Bonagura: No. 6 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Georgia
Schlabach: No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 1 Oregon

One way or another, ESPN has Ohio State in the semifinals as either a six set up against a two or a five facing a one.

In either one, the seeds involved would have a rematch of sorts for the Orange Bowl. We’d either have the Buckeyes vs. the Bulldogs, a replay of a playoff semi just two seasons ago, or we’d have a second, or potential third, game between the Buckeyes and the Ducks.

CFP Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl Classic

Bonagura: No. 5 Penn State vs. No. 1 Oregon
Schlabach: No. 3 Miami vs. No. 2 Georgia

Oregon at No. 1 and Georgia at No. 2 are again involved in the other semifinal in the Cotton Bowl.

As for their potential opponents, Bonagura has it being Penn State for the Ducks while Schlabach has it being Miami for the ‘Dawgs.

CFP National Championship

Bonagura: No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 1 Oregon
Schlabach: No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 1 Oregon

Regardless, though, ESPN has the eventual title game being Ducks vs. ‘Dawgs in Atlanta.

Ironically enough, it’d be an exact rematch of the first game for Oregon under Dan Lanning, the former defensive coordinator for Georgia, in 2022 – a 49-3 win for UGA en route to a second consecutive national title. However, this one would be for everything on the line in the championship game of the CFP.

TicketCity has been a top source for college football tickets since 1990. They buy & sell tickets for all games. CLICK HERE to buy online NOW!

ESPN 2024 Bowl Season predictions after Week 7

Celebration Bowl

Bonagura: Jackson State vs. NC Central
Schlabach: Jackson State vs. NC Central

Camellia Bowl

Bonagura: Virginia vs. North Texas
Schlabach: Ohio vs. Louisiana Monroe

Frisco Bowl

Bonagura: USC vs. Georgia Southern
Schlabach: Louisiana vs. North Texas

Boca Raton Bowl

Bonagura: Texas State vs. USF
Schlabach: Buffalo vs. Tulane

L.A. Bowl

Bonagura: California vs. UNLV
Schlabach: Washington vs. UNLV

New Orleans Bowl

Bonagura: Sam Houston State vs. James Madison
Schlabach: Liberty vs. Georgia Southern

Cure Bowl

Bonagura: Jacksonville State vs. Coastal Carolina
Schlabach: East Carolina vs. Coastal Carolina

Gasparilla Bowl

Bonagura: Minnesota vs. Vanderbilt
Schlabach: Virginia vs. Florida

Myrtle Beach Bowl

Bonagura: South Alabama vs. East Carolina
Schlabach: Marshall vs. Charlotte

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Bonagura: Eastern Michigan vs. San José State
Schlabach: Western Michigan vs. Fresno State

Hawaii Bowl

Bonagura: Western Kentucky vs. Colorado State
Schlabach: Western Kentucky vs. Colorado State

GameAbove Sports Bowl

Bonagura: Northern Illinois vs. Rutgers
Schlabach: Toledo vs. Michigan State

Rate Bowl

Bonagura: Michigan State vs. UCF
Schlabach: Minnesota vs. Utah

68 Ventures Bowl

Bonagura: UConn vs. Marshall
Schlabach: Jacksonville State vs. James Madison

Birmingham Bowl

Bonagura: Arkansas vs. Tulane
Schlabach: South Carolina vs. Boston College

Armed Forces Bowl

Bonagura: Oklahoma vs. Navy
Schlabach: West Virginia vs. Army

Liberty Bowl

Bonagura: TCU vs. Missouri
Schlabach: TCU vs. Vanderbilt

Holiday Bowl

Bonagura: SMU vs. Colorado
Schlabach: SMU vs. Colorado

Las Vegas Bowl

Bonagura: Alabama vs. Arizona State
Schlabach: Alabama vs. Arizona State

Fenway Bowl

Bonagura: Memphis vs. Georgia Tech
Schlabach: Memphis vs. Virginia Tech

Pinstripe Bowl

Bonagura: Virginia Tech vs. Michigan
Schlabach: Syracuse vs. Iowa

New Mexico Bowl

Bonagura: Fresno State vs. Washington
Schlabach: San Diego State vs. Texas State

Pop-Tarts Bowl

Bonagura: Pittsburgh vs. Texas Tech
Schlabach: Notre Dame vs. Texas Tech

Arizona Bowl

Bonagura: Buffalo vs. Nevada
Schlabach: Eastern Michigan vs. San José State

Military Bowl

Bonagura: Syracuse vs. Army
Schlabach: Louisville vs. Navy

Alamo Bowl

Bonagura: Kansas State vs. Washington State
Schlabach: Kansas State vs. Washington State

Independence Bowl

Bonagura: Utah vs. Louisiana
Schlabach: Arizona vs. NC State

Music City Bowl

Bonagura: Wisconsin vs. LSU
Schlabach: Michigan vs. Missouri

ReliaQuest Bowl

Bonagura: Iowa vs. Ole Miss
Schlabach: Wisconsin vs. Ole Miss

Sun Bowl

Bonagura: Boston College vs. Oregon State
Schlabach: Georgia Tech vs. Oregon State

Citrus Bowl

Bonagura: Illinois vs. Texas A&M
Schlabach: Illinois vs. LSU

Texas Bowl

Bonagura: Cincinnati vs. South Carolina
Schlabach: Cincinnati vs. Arkansas

Gator Bowl

Bonagura: Louisville vs. Tennessee
Schlabach: Pittsburgh vs. Texas A&M

First Responder Bowl

Bonagura: Baylor vs. Maryland
Schlabach: Baylor vs. Maryland

Duke’s Mayo Bowl

Bonagura: Duke vs. Nebraska
Schlabach: Duke vs. Nebraska

Bahamas Bowl

Bonagura: Liberty vs. Toledo
Schlabach: Sam Houston State vs. Northern Illinois