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

ESPN projected the 12-team College Football Playoff field after Week 14 and there were some changes from last weekend in terms of playoff predictions. It’s ahead of the penultimate 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 finished the regular season undefeated at 12-0 and will play for the Big Ten title this weekend. However, they’ll play Penn State after Ohio State stumbled against Michigan.

The Ducks clearly control their playoff destiny, at least for the top seed. But at this point, they’re a virtual lock for the bracket.

2. Texas

Texas got another win under their belt, beating rival Texas A&M in their first meeting since 2011. The Longhorns are 11-1 and will play Georgia for the SEC Championship.

Based on this projected ranking, Texas is in the playoff no matter what. But we’re sure the fans in Austin would love to see their team get a bye.

3. SMU (+7)

SMU vaulted up the playoff rankings this week, according to Dinich at least, based on an 11-1 regular season and Miami losing to Syracuse. The question is if the ACC is able to get two playoff teams this season?

The Mustangs will take on Clemson for the ACC title. SMU might be able to stay in the bracket even with a loss, but why take that risk?

4. Boise State

Boise State had a controlled effort against Oregon State and Ashton Jeanty went off again. This is what the Broncos have been doing all season long.

But in order to make the playoff, they’ll have to beat UNLV in a rematch for the Mountain West title. Unfortunately, Boise State can’t afford a second loss despite a good ranking.

12. Arizona State at 5. Penn State (+1)

Arizona State keeps winning and will play Iowa State for the Big 12 title. The winner goes to the playoff while the loser goes home.

Penn State moved up a spot in Dinich’s projections with another win and an 11-1 regular season. The Nittany Lions seem like a lock for the playoff but can get a first round bye if they beat Oregon for the Big Ten title.

11. Miami (-8) at 6. Notre Dame (+1)

Miami tumbled down the playoff projections with the loss to Syracuse. Some have Miami out entirely but the Hurricanes might luck out and make the playoff. Although, they might want SMU to win so Clemson doesn’t steal a bid.

Notre Dame finished the regular season 11-1 with a win over USC and pretty much locked up a playoff spot. It’s a matter of what seed the Irish will get and who they’ll host in the first round.

10. Indiana (+1) at 7. Georgia (+1)

Both Indiana and Georgia moved up in the playoff projections this week. The Hoosiers beat Purdue 66-0 to put a stamp on an 11-1 season and pretty much lock up a spot.

Georgia plays for the SEC title against Texas and if they win, they’ll get a first round bye. At this point, it’s unlikely the Bulldogs will get penalized with a third loss coming in a conference championship game.

9. Tennessee at 8. Ohio State (-3)

Tennessee didn’t budge in the playoff projections but should get in after a 10-2 campaign. The Vols might not get a home game though.

Ohio State is also 10-2 but won’t play for the Big Ten title. The Buckeyes tumbled down the projections but might just be able to host a first round playoff game.

First Five Out

Alabama
Iowa State
Clemson
Ole Miss
South Carolina

Alabama, Ole Miss and South Carolina are all three loss teams. There’s a raging debate about who deserves the spot more. At this point, none of them are getting in (for now). Iowa State and Clemson are out of the playoff due to conference championship losses.

Group of Five Power Rankings

1. Boise State
2. UNLV

Dinich cut it down to just two teams this week as it seems the Mountain West Champion is going to be the sole Group of Five team to make it. Army and Tulane square off for the AAC Champion, but it seems like both are on the outside looking in.