What the College Football Playoff would look like based on preseason AP Top 25 Poll
Football is nearly here, with another preseason box being checked. The AP poll was released on Monday afternoon, giving us a look at the 2024 season’s inaugural top 25.
A new playoff format is set to take over college football as well, with the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams. We can get a look at how things would look in December based on the preseason AP poll.
Unsurprisingly, the Big Ten and SEC dominate the field. The former has four teams included while the preseason rankings would also send four SEC teams to the CFP. You can check out the full potential bracket below.
12. Boise State vs. 5. Oregon (First Round)
There might not be a more favorable first two games in the new-look College Football Playoff than what the five-seed will have. Based on the AP poll, Oregon would be the first nonconference champion and get to host a playoff game.
Boise State was not ranked in the AP poll but did receive the most votes of any Group of Five team. As things stand, we would have two West Coast programs, who have prior and recent matchups, face off against each other.
9. Notre Dame vs. 8. Ole Miss (First Round)
Two teams who have never won a College Football Playoff game project to play per the AP preseason poll. Notre Dame made the four-team edition twice but did not play competitive games on either occasion.
If Ole Miss were to host a game, Oxford would be buzzing, and likely produce an unforgettable atmosphere. Lane Kiffin likely has his best-ever roster and is ready to be on the big stage.
11. Michigan vs. 6. Texas (First Round)
We do not have to wait for the College Football Playoff to see Michigan and Texas play. Week 2 in Ann Arbor will surely be a top-10 matchup and be one of the best nonconference games this season.
But if this were the CFP, Texas would be hosting due to being the higher-ranked team — Michigan has never traveled to Austin. Somebody would be looking for revenge a few months after meeting up at the Big House.
10. Penn State vs. 7. Alabama (First Round)
Alabama and Penn State have an immense amount of postseason history with one another, dating back to the Bear Bryant and Joe Paterno days. This matchup would look quite different though, with Kalen DeBoer and James Franklin now running the show.
Since 2014, no program would have benefitted more from the 12-team CFP than Penn State. The Nittany Lions are hoping the expanded field, plus no divisions in the Big Ten, can help them break through on the national stage.
Winner of Boise State/Oregon vs. 4. Utah (Quarterfinals)
Just a few months ago, Oregon-Utah would have been a high-leverage Pac-12 game. Instead, the two would now represent the Big Ten and Big 12, respectively.
Utah earns an automatic bye due to being the Big 12’s highest-ranked team in the preseason AP poll. Joining the conference and winning it in Year 1 would be quite the accomplishment for head coach Kyle Whittingham.
Winner of Notre Dame/Ole Miss vs. 1. Georgia (Quarterfinals)
Georgia is the preseason No. 1 team per the AP poll, looking to win their third national championship in four seasons. In the post-Nick Saban era, Kirby Smart may have built a program worthy of being the new standard in college football.
On the other side would be two familiar foes. Ole Miss will actually host Georgia Nov. 9 while the UGA-Notre Dame home-and-home series was not too long ago.
Winner of Michigan/Texas vs. 3. Florida State (Quarterfinals)
Florida State has the opportunity to win back-to-back ACC titles for the first time in a decade. Many expect them to do so, meaning they cannot be left out of the CFP.
Based on the preseason AP poll, two Playoff teams from a year ago would fight for the right to face the Seminoles. Mike Norvell’s team will be as hungry as any, wanting to get a shot at the big dogs in college football.
Winner of Penn State/Alabama vs. 2. Ohio State (Quarterfinals)
If there is anybody worthy of comparing to Georgia heading into the season, it’s Ohio State. One of the. most talented rosters in America reside in Columbus, having All-American caliber players all over the field.
There might be a little pressure on Ryan Day to win. Finding a way to live up to the preseason expectation of having the No. 2 seed in the CFP — by winning the Big Ten — would be a great start.