Desmond Howard predicts 12-team College Football Playoff field on ESPN College GameDay

Among the many changes in college football this season, the College Football Playoff will also take on a new look. The field will expand from four teams to 12, and Desmond Howard made his prediction on ESPN College GameDay Saturday morning.

Under the new format, the five highest-ranked conference champions will make the cut, and the top four will receive first-round byes. The next seven highest-ranked teams will round out the 12-team field.

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First-round games will take place at campus sites, followed by quarterfinal and semifinal matchups at New Year’s Six bowl games. From there, it’s on to the national championship. This year’s title game will take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Jan. 20.

Howard was the first of the College GameDay crew to make his picks for the 12-team College Football Playoff field. Notably, he has Oregon as the Big Ten champion and No. 1 overall seed, as well as Miami winning the ACC to become the No. 3 overall team in the field.

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Here are Desmond Howard’s full picks, including the respective conference champions, as the 2024 college football season officially gets underway.

5. Texas vs. 12. Liberty

Texas hosts a first-round game at DKR in Desmond Howard’s 12-team College Football Playoff prediction. The Longhorns are sure to be a contender in the SEC after leaving the Big 12 with Quinn Ewers and most of the offensive line returning, as well as some high-profile transfer portal additions.

At No. 12, Howard has Liberty winning Conference USA once again. The Flames won the league last season in their first year after leaving their independence behind, and Jamey Chadwell set a strong foundation as he heads into his second season.

8. Michigan vs. 9. Oklahoma

Michigan is one of the more interesting teams in college football this year after winning the national championship a season ago. The Wolverines underwent a coaching change and lost some big-time production, but returners such as Donovan Edwards and Will Johnson could help keep UM in the hunt for a College Football Playoff appearance.

As Desmond Howard’s No. 9 seed, Oklahoma emerges from the SEC an after making the same leap as Texas. The Sooners revamped their coaching staff, including a new defensive coordinator, while Jackson Arnold will take the reins at quarterback after getting some looks as a freshman in 2023.

6. Ole Miss vs. 11. Notre Dame

As the No. 6 seed in Desmond Howard’s prediction, Ole Miss would host a College Football Playoff game at The Grove. The Rebels were one of the biggest winners in the portal this year, landing three players ranked in the Top 25 of the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings to complement returning quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Howard also has Notre Dame sneaking in to the CFP field after adding some key offensive weapons under new coordinator Mike Denbrock. The Fighting Irish cannot secure a bye under the new format because they don’t play a conference championship, but still appear primed for an appearance in the field.

7. Ohio State vs. 10 Clemson

Another winner on the recruiting trail this season, Ohio State looks to make some noise in the new-look Big Ten. However, Desmond Howard has the Buckeyes losing the Big Ten title and finishing as the No. 7 seed in the College Football Playoff field.

Howard has Ohio State hosting a first-round game against Clemson, which saw its 10-win season streak end last year. The Tigers hope the offense can take a jump as Cade Klubnik enters his second year in Garrett Riley’s system, and that could help them reach the new-look CFP.

4. Utah vs. Texas/Liberty

In its first year in the Big 12, Utah is generating plenty of buzz as the preseason favorite. Cam Rising is back for yet another season in Salt Lake City, and Kyle Whittingham is not likely to miss a beat after leaving the Pac-12.

The Utes’ tough-nosed style is a big reason they could be immediate contenders to the Big 12, and Desmond Howard predicted them to win the league and earn a bye in the College Football Playoff. Some notable transfer receivers will also look to make an impact as Utah looks to continue its momentum.

3. Miami vs. Ole Miss/Notre Dame

Miami has improved each season under Mario Cristobal, and the Hurricanes are generating some buzz in the ACC this year. With Cam Ward now leading the offense and a slew of high-profile additions, Desmond Howard has the U as his No. 3 overall seed and winning the league.

Ward – the conference preseason player of the year – and Damien Martinez lead the slew of transfers for Miami this year, and a highly rated recruiting class could also make a difference. The Hurricanes were picked third in the ACC preseason poll, but Howard thinks they have the pieces to make a run.

2. Georgia vs. Ohio State/Clemson

The last three years have been special for Georgia with two national titles and three straight SEC Championship appearances. Desmond Howard picked the Bulldogs to once again win the league and, therefore, check in as the No. 2 overall seed in the College Football Playoff.

Carson Beck headlines the group of players returning from last year’s team and is already generating buzz as a Heisman Trophy candidate and potential No. 1 overall pick. Trevor Etienne is also in at running back after the departures of Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards, and along with a stout defense, the pieces are in place in Athens for another run.

1. Oregon vs. Michigan/Oklahoma

It’s been quite a run at Oregon since Dan Lanning took over in 2022. The Ducks are now likely to be contenders in the Big Ten, and Desmond Howard picked them to not only win the league, but also win the national championship this year.

Oregon reloaded in a big way this offseason with Dillon Gabriel and Evan Stewart coming in on offense and Jabbar Muhammad headlining the defensive additions. The Ducks have only lost five games under Lanning and could be looking at another big year in 2024, as well.

The expanded College Football Playoff could make things even more interesting this season with more teams vying for bids. It all got started Saturday – and the race to Atlanta is on.