College Football Playoff Predictions: ESPN projects 12-team field after Week 2
With two weeks in the books, the College Football Playoff picture continues to shift. The predictions continue to roll in, and ESPN’s Heather Dinich projected the 12-team field following Week 2.
A new Group of 5 representative entered the field after Northern Illinois pulled off the upset of the young season. The Huskies went into South Bend and stunned Notre Dame, defeating the No. 5-ranked Fighting Irish 16-14 on a last-second field goal.
That sent Northern Illinois into ESPN’s projected 12-team College Football Playoff field as the Group of 5 representative. Under the new model, the five highest-ranked conference champions get in along with the next seven highest-ranked teams.
Georgia came in as the No. 1 overall seed in ESPN’s projections, followed by Ohio State, Miami and Oklahoma State to round out the first-round byes. All four teams are off to hot starts to the year and, as a result, are the projected conference champions in ESPN’s predictions.
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The four highest-ranked conference champions will receive byes, and the first-round games will all take place at campus sites. From there, the winners will advance to respective bowl games leading to the national championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20.
First-round byes
No. 1 seed – Georgia
After defeating Clemson handily in Week 1, Georgia didn’t miss a beat against Tennessee Tech. The Bulldogs cruised to a 48-3 victory thanks to a complete effort.
Carson Beck led the charge, throwing for 242 yards and five touchdowns before handing it over to Gunner Stockton. UGA will play its first SEC game of the year this week, heading to Lexington to take on Kentucky on Saturday night.
No. 2 seed – Ohio State
For the second straight week, Ohio State didn’t allow a touchdown. The Buckeyes flew past Western Michigan en route to a resounding 56-0 victory with the newcomers stealing the show once again.
Ohio State totaled 683 yards of offense in Week 2, and Jeremiah Smith shined for a second straight game. The freshman receiver tied for the team lead with five receptions, totaling 119 yards and a touchdown to continue his record-setting pace.
No. 3 seed – Miami
Miami’s high-powered offense remained on full display in Week 2, looking similar to the unit showcased against Florida in Week 1. The Hurricanes left no room for doubt in their home opener, defeating Florida A&M 56-9.
Cam Ward continues to make an early case for the Heisman Trophy after coming in as the crown jewel of Miami’s transfer class. He completed 20 of 26 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2 before Reese Poffenbarger took over for the rest of the game.
No. 4 seed – Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State found its back pressed firmly against the wall in Week 2. Arkansas didn’t make it easy for the Cowboys, but they eventually forced overtime and completed the comeback to get the 39-31 victory.
Ollie Gordon led the charge and scored the game-winning touchdown to help Oklahoma State to a 2-0 record to start the season. The Cowboys will now hit the road for the first time this year as they head to Tulsa in Week 3.
First-round matchups (campus sites)
No. 12 seed Northern Illinois at No. 5 seed Texas (winner plays Oklahoma State)
The story of college football was in DeKalb, Illinois this week. Northern Illinois pulled off the stunner of all stunners, defeating Notre Dame in South Bend – a game for which the Fighting Irish are set to pay the Huskies $1.4 million – and get the inside track to the G5 projection.
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In ESPN’s projections, NIU would take on Texas, which is fresh off a huge win of its own. The Longhorns flew past Michigan at The Big House, led by another strong showing from Quinn Ewers and the offense as they prepare for their first run through the SEC.
No. 9 seed Penn State at No. 8 seed Oregon (winner plays Georgia)
Oregon hasn’t had an easy road to 2-0 this season, but the Ducks avoided an upset against Boise State. A last-second field goal sealed the deal, and ESPN projects them to host a College Football Playoff game in its latest predictions.
In the new world of college football, it would also be a conference matchup. Penn State comes in as the projected No. 9 seed armed with a revamped offense, which has seen Drew Allar throw for 420 yards over his first two games.
No. 11 seed Tennessee at No. 6 seed Ole Miss (winner plays Miami)
Ole Miss’ high-powered offense has reached new heights to start the 2024 season, led by Jaxson Dart. He leads the nation in passing touchdowns through two games to help prepare the Rebels for a potential College Football Playoff run.
ESPN projects Ole Miss to host conference rival Tennessee in a first-round game, which would put Nico Iamaleava on the big stage. He’s off to a hot start to his freshman year, throwing for 525 yards and five touchdowns through two games.
No. 10 seed Alabama at No. 7 seed USC (winner plays Ohio State)
A key win over LSU in Week 1 could provide a spark for USC to steal a College Football Playoff spot. The Trojans cruised in Week 2, defeating Utah State 48-0 to take a 2-0 record into their Week 3 bye.
According to ESPN’s projection, USC would take on an Alabama team that is 2-0 to start its new era. The Crimson Tide fought off USF in Week 2 thanks to a strong performance from Jam Miller, who led the team with 140 rushing yards and a touchdown.
First four out
Missouri
Kansas State
Utah
Clemson
Next four out
Oklahoma
LSU
Michigan
Boise State
Group of 5 Power Rankings
1. Northern Illinois
2. Boise State
3. Tulane
4. Memphis
5. UNLV