College Football Playoff Predictions: ESPN projects 12-team field after Week 6

ESPN projected the 12-team College Football Playoff field after Week 3 and there were some changes from last weekend.

But as always, these playoff projections will certainly change week to week. Just wait til we get the inevitable upsets!

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. Texas

Texas is the No. 1 team in the country again and ESPN put the Longhorns back at the top of the playoff projections. With Alabama’s loss, Texas reigns supreme in the SEC for now.

Going into Red River this weekend, Quinn Ewers is expected to come back and start at QB. If he doesn’t, we know Arch Manning can operate the controls.

2. Ohio State

Ohio State dominated Iowa 35-7 after a slow first half. Even if the Buckeyes take a little bit to get going, they run away from you in the end.

The biggest test comes this weekend as they travel to Oregon. If Ohio State wins this one, there’ll be no question about who’s the best team in the Big Ten. Perhaps OSU can fight for that No. 1 spot soon.

3. Miami

The Hurricanes won nearly at the buzzer for the second straight week. Still, the ACC power is undefeated and go into a bye week unscathed.

Moving forward, the Hurricanes will definitely need a more convincing win to reassure the committee they’ll get the No. 3 seed. But for now, they are the ACC favorite as far as the playoff is concerned.

4. BYU

A new Big 12 team! Good luck finding the playoff rep from this conference. ESPN’s Heather Dinich is going with the Cougars this week, thus getting a bye.

BYU had the weekend off but improved to 5-0 with a 34-28 win over Baylor at the end of September. The No. 14 ranked team in the country takes on Arizona this Saturday.

No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Alabama

Boise State was the No. 12 team last week as the G5 representative. It’s easy to pick them right now since Heisman contender Ashton Jeanty is averaging over 10 yards per carry and looks unstoppable.

Alabama drops to this spot with its loss to Vanderbilt. Still, it’s hard to discount the Crimson Tide as a wild card team out of the SEC, due to its head to head win over Georgia.

No. 9 Oregon at No. 8 Penn State

This is the exact matchup from last week as the Ducks and Nittany Lions will give it an all-Big Ten game in the first round. Penn State beat out UCLA to remain unbeaten this past weekend.

Depending upon how Oregon does against Ohio State could drastically change these rankings. But for now, three Big Ten teams are in the field.

No. 11 Ole Miss at No. 6 Georgia

Speaking of Georgia, the Bulldogs moved up a spot from last week. They got back on the right foot with a win over Auburn.

Ole Miss also rebounded from a loss and beat down South Carolina. With that win, ESPN put the Rebels back in the playoff picture and not on the outside looking in.

No. 10 Clemson at No. 7 Tennessee

Tennessee is still in the playoff for now, despite a less than stellar loss to Arkansas. Again, it’s one loss, so team’s seasons aren’t necessarily over.

Clemson stood pat with another win, this time over Florida State. The Tigers have won four in a row since the season opening loss to Georgia.

First Four Out in Playoff

LSU
Notre Dame
Iowa State
Indiana

Next Four Out in Playoff

Oklahoma
Kansas State
Texas A&M
Illinois

Group of Five Power Rankings

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