College Football Playoff Predictions: ESPN projects 2024 12-team CFP bracket

A landmark college football season is upon us, with the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff being implemented for the 2024 campaign.

With that in mind, ESPN’s Heather Dinich took the time to predict which teams will punch their ticket to the dance this season. There’s certainly some obvious choices throughout the sport, but the difficulty increases as you start to truly examine which teams are contenders this season.

The action begins this weekend, with a couple of clashes taking place on Saturday, but the true beginning of the college football season comes over Labor Day weekend. Here’s who Dinich has making it to the College Football Playoff, as the season gets closer with every passing moment.

No. 1 Georgia — First Round Bye

Dinich has Georgia leading the way in her bracket. It could very well be ‘national title or bust’ for the Bulldogs in 2024. Kirby Smart’s led this team to two national titles before narrowly missing out on the College Football Playoff last season.

QB Carson Beck is a Heisman candidate, if not the favorite going into the season. This team will still grind you to the bone in all three phases. It’s not hard to believe they’ll be the best team in college football to begin the season, at least.

No. 2 Ohio State — First Round Bye

The Buckeyes come into the 2024 season absolutely loaded on offense, defense and even the coaching staff, with a rejuvenated attitude. Adding Chip Kelly as the OC was the first step. Dinich believes it’ll lead to the No. 2-seed, and a bye week in her bracket.

Ryan Day’s offense of transfers QB Will Howard and RB Quinshon Judkins screams potential. Freshman WR Jeremiah Smith looks like the next big thing and let’s not forget transfer DB Caleb Downs coming from Alabama.

No. 3 Florida State — First Round Bye

Mike Norvell will do whatever it takes to get Florida State to the College Football Playoff, and that’s where Dinich believes they’ll end up. Despite a 13-0 record and ACC title in 2023, the Seminoles did not get in with an injury to QB Jordan Travis last season.

We all know the story by this point. However, transfers like QB DJ Uiagalelei and LB Shawn Murphy want to ensure that doesn’t happen again. This team isn’t rebuilding, they’re reloading for a run at the Playoff.

No. 4 Utah — First Round Bye

One of the more debated selections in any College Football Playoff bracket has been the champion of the Big 12 Conference. Evidently, Dinich believes the Utah Utes will get the job done, and secure the final bye week in the CFP.

How can the Utes do it? Well, the play of star quarterback Cam Rising is a good place to start. He’s more than experienced, and as long as he stays healthy, Utah will be the sexy pick to win the Big 12 in 2024. It’s up to them to make good on their potential.

No. 5 Texas vs. No. 12 Boise State

Last season, Steve Sarkisian got over the hump with Texas, winning the Big 12 and getting to the College Football Playoff. Now, as the team moves to the SEC, Dinich believes they’ll return to the College Football Playoff, but miss out on one of the top four seeds.

In the first round, they’re paired up with Boise State. The Broncos just named Maddux Madsen their starting quarterback in a surprising twist over lauded transfer Malachi Nelson, but if he can lead them to the CFP, Boise State will be more than vindicated.

No. 6 Oregon vs. No. 11 Penn State

Oregon is dealing with a bevy of changes. Dillon Gabriel is the new quarterback and he’ll be helped by Texas A&M WR transfer Evan Stewart, and the team is on to the Big Ten. Still, there are quality pieces all over the field and this could very well be the best team under Dan Lanning to this point. Dinich believes so.

Their first-round opponent will be a conference rival, it seems. Dinich has them facing off against a Penn State squad whose season hinges on Drew Allar’s development under center, all things considered. If he lives up to more of his recruiting potential, it could be a game changer for the Nittany Lions.

No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 10 Miami

Notre Dame can’t go higher than the No. 5 seed in this year’s expanded playoff as an Independent, but DInich believes they’ll slot in at No. 7. They could be a dangerous team. Transfers Riley Leonard (QB), Beaux Collins and Kris Mitchell (WRs) make this what could be a fun offense.

Meanwhile, Dinich believes the Fighting Irish will meet the Miami Hurricanes in the first round. With Cam Ward leading Mario Cristobal’s talented team, they’re a popular pick in the ACC, and the conference sends two teams to the dance in her predictions.

No. 8 Ole Miss vs. No. 9 Alabama

Now, this would be a juicy one. Ole Miss is going to be an awesome watch this fall. This could be Lane Kiffin’s best team ever with a lot of veterans, and Dinich believes they’ll reach new heights in 2024, with Jaxson Dart, who’s one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the SEC.

Even without Nick Saban, Dinich believes Kalen DeBoer’s Crimson Tide make it to the CFP. Jalen Milroe is back at quarterback and some quality pieces stayed put, so it makes sense. If it leads to a showdown with the Rebels, we’re signing up for it.

As you can tell, ESPN’s Heather Dinich has her finger on the pulse, cultivating a fascinating College Football Playoff bracket that certainly has a shot of coming true. We’ll see how close she is later this season, but these 12 teams are worthy of keeping an eye on throughout a new campaign.