Let's Project The 12-Team College Football Playoff, And Which School Will Win The National Championship
Finally, the college football season is here and the run towards the new 12-team playoff will get underway and the arguments over how early season losses will affect the standings will be like a Thanksgiving dinner where politics are the discussion.
In the first year of this new playoff format, one of the most intriguing storylines will be the at-large bids that are waiting for non-conference title winners. Who from the group-of-five will get in? Which conference will get the most bids?
The discussions will be non-stop, starting with a massive week-one slate. No, Florida State fans, we're not overlooking your matchup in Ireland against Georgia Tech, so don't freak out. But, for the college football playoff committee to decide on the at-large bids, we first must figure out who will be conference champions.
As for the playoffs, one of the most unique aspects of this new format is the games that will be played on college campuses, which is why seeding is such an important factor this season.
After Michigan won the title last season, can Ohio State do the same in 2024 (Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK)
Top Four Seeds Of College Football Playoffs
Going off who we both picked to win conference championships this season, here's how the top-four seeds will look like, according to Trey and Barrett.
Trey Wallace
- 1. Georgia
- 2. Ohio State
- 3. Miami
- 4. Utah
Barrett Sallee
- 1. Ohio State
- 2. Georgia
- 3. Clemson
- 4. Oklahoma State
The top-four seeds in the college football playoff will get a first-round bye, and will start their road to the national championship with quarterfinal games that are unfortunately not played on campuses across the country, but rather at the New Years Six bowl sites.
Can Dabo Swinney lead the Clemson Tigers to the College Football Playoffs? . (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
At-Large College Football Playoff Teams
So, the teams that did not win their conference championship will open the playoffs by either playing a home game, or going on the road. The way this new format will play-out is that the teams ranked 5-8 will open their run to the championship with a home game, while teams that are ranked 9-12 are headed on the road for their opening round game.
Here are Barrett and Trey's predictions on who gets in with an at-large bid, and their rankings.
Barrett Sallee
- 5. Texas
- 6. Oregon
- 7. Florida State
- 8. Notre Dame
- 9. Ole Miss
- 10. LSU
- 11. Alabama
- 12. Memphis
So, Barrett has Memphis getting the group-of-five bid, and here's what each matchup would look like.
- 5th-ranked Texas vs. 12. Memphis in Austin. (Winner plays Oklahoma State)
- 6th-ranked Oregon vs. 11. Alabama in Eugene. (Winner plays Clemson)
- 7th-ranked Florida State vs. 10. LSU in Tallahassee. (Winner Plays Georgia)
- 8th-ranked Notre Dame vs. 9. Ole Miss in South Bend. (Winner plays Ohio State)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 18: Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman is all smiles after a touchdown during a game between Wake Forest University and University of Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium on November 18, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Trey Wallace Predictions
- 5. Ole Miss
- 6. Texas
- 7. Oregon
- 8. Michigan
- 9. Alabama
- 10. Notre Dame
- 11. Tennessee
- 12. App State
I have App State getting the group-of-five bid, and here's what each matchup would look like.
- 5th-ranked Ole Miss vs. 12. App State In Oxford. (Winner plays Utah)
- 6th-ranked Texas vs. 11. Tennessee in Austin (Winner plays Miami)
- 7th-ranked Oregon vs. 10. Notre Dame in Eugene (Winner plays Ohio State)
- 8th-ranked Michigan vs. Alabama in Ann Arbor (Winner plays Georgia)
Can Lane Kiffin get his team into the College Football Playoffs with a loaded roster at Ole Miss? (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Final Four Teams And College Football Playoff National Champion
Ok, here we go, the final-four teams of the new 12-team playoff.
Barrett Sallee's Semifinal Picks
- Ohio State vs. Texas
- Georgia vs. Oregon
National champion: It’ll be an All-SEC championship game, as Texas and Georgia will square off for the third time this season — this time with the national title on the line. Georgia’s depth and a defense that is one month off topping Quinn Ewers in the SEC Championship Game, will do it again in Atlanta in what will be a de facto home game for the Bulldogs. Fatigue could play a big part as well, since Texas will have played a first round game prior the appearing in the quarterfinals.
Trey Wallace Semifinal Picks
- Ole Miss vs. Texas
- Alabama vs. Ohio State
National Champion: Ohio State is going to finally beat Michigan and get the fans off the back of Ryan Day. But not only will the Buckeyes rushing attack lead them to a Big Ten title, they will eventually win the national championship against Texas. Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson will have opposing defenses gasping for air this season, while Will Howard will have control of the offense in the passing game. This is the year for the Buckeyes, and they had better not waste this talented roster.
There you have it, our picks for the college football playoff. We want to hear what you think about our selections, and which teams you have playing in the semifinals with a shot at a national championship on the line. Email us at Trey.Wallace@OutKick.com
Let the arguments commence.