It has been talked about for over a decade, since the end of the BCS era, and now it is officially a reality: an expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. This expanded College Football Playoff schedule will make eight teams very happy that they can say they made the CFP while top teams get to host playoff games at their own schools. It will be a neat addition to the college football schedule and something to look forward to.
First and foremost, how does it work? The five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams will earn a spot in the 12-team bracket. On top of that, there is no limit as to how many schools one conference can send. I’m sure that anyone who is a fan of an SEC or Big Ten school is happy reading that. Florida State fans are still likely peeved that this didn’t happen a year ago. The top four teams get a bye in Round 1 of the CFP. Without further ado, here are our predictions for this year’s College Football Playoff.
Top Four Teams (Power 4 Conference Winners)
- Georgia: There is something that the CFP voters love about the SEC and if the Bulldogs win the conference, which I predict they will, they should have no issue getting the first overall seed in the new CFP.
- Oregon: The Ducks are entering the Big Ten and I think they will run the table and take home the conference in their first year. Dan Lanning is a heck of a head coach, and he has all the NIL tools at his disposal, including bringing in Dillon Gabriel as his new QB.
- Florida State: The Seminoles are coming for blood in 2024 and are really hoping to win another ACC Championship and prove that they belong in the CFP and will do it as one of the top four teams.
- Utah: That’s right. I have two teams that are new to conferences taking home their championships as I believe that Utah will run the table in the Big 12 in year 1. They have one of the most consistent programs in all of college football and now play in a conference that has an easier path than the Pac 12 did.
Next Four Up (At-Large Bids, hosts Round 1)
- Ohio State: They are going to give Oregon a run for their money, but Ryan Day will miss out on winning the conference championship
- Alabama: No Nick Saban, no problem making the CFP. They still have plenty of talent and Kalen DeBoer is not a coach who should be overlooked.
- Miami: Notice a trend here? I think another conference semifinalist will come in at the number 7 spot with Miami just getting outplayed by the Seminoles in the ACC championship.
- Texas: The SEC is one of the toughest conferences for a reason and I like Texas to come out as one of the top schools. This is important because they’ll host their first-round game. Quinn Ewers leads them there.
Last Four-In (At-Large Bids)
- Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish not having a legit conference always helps them in a way and it makes the schedule a tad bit easier for Marcus Freeman and his elite defense.
- Oklahoma State: The Cowboys will be big time players in a new look Big 12 and this is Mike Gundy’s chance to really take a huge leap.
- Penn State: The Nittany Lions have no excuses with Michigan set for a down year and USC and Washington in a bit of a transition with a new head coach in Seattle and a lack of Caleb Williams in Hollywood.
- Liberty: They have an electric QB and a clear path to the CFP if they can finish the seasons as the highest ranked G5 team.
First Round
- Ohio State defeats 12. Liberty
- Penn State defeats 6. Alabama
- Oklahoma State defeats 7. Miami
- Texas defeats 9. Notre Dame
Second Round
- Ohio State defeats 4. Utah
- Florida State defeats 11. Penn State
- Oregon defeats 10. Oklahoma State
- Georgia defeats 8. Texas
Semi-Finals
- Ohio State defeats 1. Georgia
- Oregon defeats 1. Ohio State
Championship
We have a rematch of Oregon and Ohio State from the Big 10 Championship and in year one of a new College Football Playoff, we have the Oregon Ducks claiming a National Championship for the first time in school history.