College Football Playoff Predictions: ESPN projects 12-team bracket ahead of fourth CFP Top 25 reveal

ESPN projected the 12-team College Football Playoff field after Week 12 and there were some changes from last weekend in terms of playoff predictions. It’s ahead of the third reveal of the rankings Tuesday night.

But as always, these playoff projections will certainly change week to week. The Power Four conferences are certainly making it difficult to determine who’s going to go where!

The four highest-ranked conference champions will receive byes, and the first-round games will all take place at campus sites to begin the playoff. From there, the winners will advance to respective bowl games leading to the national championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20.

1. Oregon

Oregon remained at the top of the heap going into the final weekend at 11-0. The Ducks are the projected Big Ten champ and will get the No. 1 seed in the playoff.

Of course, they could still lose and it’ll shake things up. But right now, nothing suggests that they aren’t going to be the top seed. We’ll have to wait until the Big Ten Championship Game.

2. Texas

Texas is in the middle of a four game winning streak after losing to Georgia at home last month. WIth the way they’ve played lately, the Longhorns showed they can win and be a playoff problem for everyone else.

But they haven’t been dominant. Plus, Texas needs to beat Texas A&M this weekend in order to rematch Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.

3. Miami

Miami bounced back with a win over Wake Forest following the upset loss to Georgia Tech. They’re the projected ACC Champion but the ‘Canes haven’t even clinched a spot in the game yet.

Still, Miami controls its own destiny to get a first round bye in the playoff. But you have to wonder how high SMU can climb if the Mustangs win out, which would include a win over Miami for the conference crown.

4. Boise State

Boise State is still ranked high enough where they could get the final bye by winning the Mountain West. How’s that for a playoff debut?

Ashton Jeanty was a little banged up but the Broncos still got the win over Wyoming. Keep at it and Boise State should be a top four team in the bracket.

12. Arizona State (NR) at 5. Ohio State

Arizona State arrives since they keep winning. At this point, the Sun Devils are the only projected Big 12 team in the playoff as the champion. But because they’re ranked low enough, they’d get the 12 seed and have to head to Ohio State.

The Buckeyes have been stuck in this spot since the loss to Oregon earlier this year. As long as they beat Michigan, they can rectify that error in Indianapolis.

11. Indiana (-4) at 6. Penn State

A tough look for Indiana Saturday as the Hoosiers were blown out by Ohio State. The good news is, IU is still 10-1 and still projected in the playoff as plenty of SEC teams faltered.

This is projected to be an all-Big Ten matchup as Penn State just keeps winning over teams not named Ohio State. The Nittany Lions didn’t move this week.

10. SMU (NR) at 7. Notre Dame (+1)

SMU entered the top 12 this week and would make the playoff. That makes it two ACC teams and the Mustangs could climb as high as the No. 4 seed if they win out and win the ACC. It’s a possibility.

Notre Dame keeps moving up as they’ve won nine in a row at this point. Beating USC this coming weekend will solidify a playoff spot at 11-1.

9. Tennessee (NR) at 8. Georgia (+3)

Tennessee is back in the playoff bracket after other SEC teams fell flat on their face. Just don’t screw it up now Vols!

Georgia moved up three spots based on the chaos but are on the outside looking in when it comes to the top four spots. But, the Bulldogs have a spot in the SEC Championship and could rise fast.

First Four Out

Alabama
Texas A&M
BYU
Clemson

Next Four Out

Iowa State
Ole Miss
South Carolina
Colorado

Group of Five Power Rankings

1. Boise State
2. Tulane
3. UNLV
4. Army
5. Louisiana