College Football Playoff predictions: Athlon releases 12-team projection

The latest College Football Playoff predictions are in from Athlon Sports as the magazine provided its 12-team projection.

Within that projection are predictions throughout the entire bracket. For the first time, the world will see the expanded playoff, and it’s a doozy.

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Below is Athlon Sports’ College Football Playoff predictions.

Playoff First Round

No. 8 Alabama vs. No. 9 Michigan

Well, well, well. The Crimson Tide and Wolverines meet once again in a rematch of last year’s semifinals at the Rose Bowl.

This time, the Crimson Tide host the game on campus in Kalen DeBoer’s first year. Sherrone Moore and DeBoer are familiar with each other after the Michigan-Washington matchup in the title game, but this would be wild in Tuscaloosa.

No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 Liberty

Another rematch where Oregon handled Liberty in on the New Year’s Six stage last season. This time, Liberty would have to go out to Eugene for an even harder atmosphere.

Dan Lanning has one of the best teams in the country going into 2024 and the new Big Ten school should be on the title list. They’d be heavily favored in this scenario.

No. 6 Texas vs. No. 11 Notre Dame

Oh on paper, these two schools being matched up in the playoffs is every TV network’s dream. The Longhorns host the Fighting Irish in Marcus Freeman’s first appearance in the playoffs.

Texas has the firepower to win it all this season, just like last year. And it seems like Athlon favors Steve Sarkisian and crew to move on.

No. 7 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Penn State

Well this is fun. Another rematch of last year’s postseason except Penn State has to travel down south to the “Sip.”

Lane Kiffin in the playoffs is fun and college football needs it. The Nittany Lions would certainly bring the fight with a talented roster, but 2024 could be Ole Miss’ best year under Kiffin yet.

Playoff Quarterfinals

No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 8 Alabama (Sugar Bowl)

A tale as old as time. Georgia and Alabama on a collision course en route to trying to win a national championship. But, we don’t get Kirby Smart against Nick Saban anymore.

Georgia seemingly is the preseason favorite to win it all and earn the third title in four years. Alabama will give the Bulldogs a fight, but UGA is the favorite in New Orleans.

No. 4 Utah vs. No. 5 Oregon (Fiesta Bowl)

A former Pac-12 showdown will be on display between Big 12 and Big Ten teams here. But going out west for this one would be so great.

Sure, Utah is the projected Big 12 winner, but Oregon is just slightly better according to Athlon. The seedings don’t reflect that, but we get our first “upset.”

No. 3 Florida State vs. No. 6 Texas (Peach Bowl)

Florida State gets its chance in the playoff under Mike Norvell but here come the Longhorns. Athlon favors Texas in this matchup at the Peach Bowl.

That’s unfortunate for the Seminoles, who get a No. 3 seed after winning the ACC. The path would be open to make a run to the semifinals, but Texas has too much firepower in these predictions.

No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Ole Miss (Rose Bowl)

This is a great matchup for Pasadena, but the Buckeyes are the favorite for a reason. Ole Miss could make this one fun and certainly pull off the third upset of the round.

But Ryan Day’s crew is on the shortlist of national title contenders in 2024. Ohio State moves on in Athlon’s predictions to the semifinals at the Cotton Bowl.

Playoff Semifinals

No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 5 Oregon (Orange Bowl)

The Ducks can bring it against the two-time champs, but Smart and the Bulldogs are the ones to come out on top here. Going down to South Florida is quite the trip for Oregon just mileage wise.

Not to say Oregon can’t overcome the travel discrepancy, but it’s just one small advantage Georgia will have here. This game could be an absolute dog fight.

No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 6 Texas (Cotton Bowl)

So it comes down to the Buckeyes and Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl. A home field advantage for Texas, sort of? Doesn’t matter.

For Athlon, Ohio State is just too good on offense and with a revamped defense. Texas, as a six-seed this year, would make quite the run, winning two games prior. But this is where it ends.

National Championship

No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 2 Ohio State

A rematch for the ages. Remember just a couple of years ago, Ohio State came within a missed field goal of beating Georgia?

Well, Day and the Buckeyes will continue to be haunted by that semifinal game and this one as Smart and the Bulldogs win it all. Athlon has UGA winning its third title in four years.

Will these predictions be exact? Probably not. But the 12-team playoff predictions give us a great glimpse as to what the season could hold.