College Football Playoff Predictions: ESPN projects 12-team bracket ahead of third 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 playoff projections with a 16-13 win over Wisconsin. It certainly wasn’t pretty, but the Ducks are 11-0 going into the final two weeks.

Now, they have yet to clinch a spot in the Big Ten Championship due to tiebreakers. But, the Ducks control their own destiny to the top seed.

2. Texas

Texas didn’t look great, like Oregon, but got the 20-10 win over Arkansas. For now, Texas is the projected SEC champion and gets the No. 2 seed in the playoff rankings.

Things can still change but with their loss, Texas will be hard pressed to get the top seed unless Oregon drops a game. Still some time, but it’s thin.

3. Miami (+1)

How about that? Miami didn’t even have to play this past weekend and moved up a spot in the playoff projections. Because of movement with the fourth best conference champion this weekend, Miami is looking at a possible better quarterfinal matchup.

Right now, Miami gets the winner of Georgia-Penn State, with the Nittany Lions hosting. Is that better than BYU or Ohio State? It’s tough either way, but it’s intriguing to look at the playoff bracket makeup.

4. Boise State (+8)

Speaking of BYU, they’re not in this spot anymore. The ESPN playoff projections have Boise State, the top ranked Group of Five champion, to finish ranked higher than BYU, thereby getting a top four seed.

As long as Boise State keeps winning, they should get in as the G5 rep. Of course, unless Army goes undefeated, then we have a debate.

12. BYU (-9) at 5. Ohio State

BYU fell nine spots in the playoff projections after a loss to Kansas, which isn’t bowl eligible right now. The Cougars are still in the driver’s seat for the Big 12 Championship, but with a loss, suddenly Arizona State has life and Colorado still controls its own destiny.

BYU fell so far despite being a conference champion because it’s a bad loss and will likely be well below the at-large teams. Ohio State is the top at-large team but could still win the Big Ten. Right now, they host the Cougars.

11. Georgia at 6. Penn State

Georgia and Penn State can square off here for playoff supremacy. Which conference is better? There’s been a lot of chatter about the SEC being the better conference.

Well, how does Georgia deal with the white out energy? In the playoff no less. An easy Bulldogs win or Penn State getting over the hump?

10. Ole Miss (NR) at 7. Indiana (+1)

Indiana moved up a spot in this week’s playoff projections getting to 10-0, going into a bye week. This weekend is the big test as the Hoosiers go to Ohio State and could vault up these rankings.

Ole Miss is in the 12-team field this week! They’re in with the win over Georgia and are in a position to improve their seeding. But they have two losses, so the Rebels have to be careful.

9. Alabama (+1) at 8. Notre Dame (+1)

Notre Dame and Alabama both moved up a spot in the playoff projections this week. Notre Dame dominated Virginia to keep their playoff positioning in a good spot.

Alabama dominated Mercer 52-7 and kept their SEC Championship Game hopes alive. Can you imagine if Alabama gets a date with Texas? Spicy stuff.

First Four Out

Tennessee
SMU
Colorado
Clemson

Next Four Out

Arizona State
Texas A&M
Iowa State
South Carolina

Group of Five Power Rankings

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