In the first College Football Playoff bracket of the 2024 season, Oregon, Georgia, Miami, and BYU are leading the way according to the initial CFP Rankings. The rankings were released on Tuesday, providing a glimpse into how the College Football Playoff Selection Committee is assessing the field in the new 12-team format.
The top two spots in the rankings are claimed by Oregon and Ohio State from the Big Ten. However, Ohio State is projected to be the 5-seed while Oregon is expected to secure the Big Ten’s automatic bid as conference champion and earn a first-round bye. This allows Georgia to grab the 2-seed with Miami and BYU rounding out the top four teams. Boise State, the projected Group of Five champion, is placed at No. 12 in both ranking and seeding.
The bracket features four teams each from the Big Ten and SEC, while only one team from the ACC and Big 12 is projected to make the field. Teams like Ohio State, Texas, Penn State, and Tennessee are predicted to host first-round games in the playoffs.
Following the release of the rankings, the Big 12 seems to be at a disadvantage with Iowa State’s loss to Texas Tech impacting their chances of securing two spots in the playoff. BYU, despite being undefeated and boasting wins over ranked opponents, is ranked at No. 9 and faces the risk of missing out on a bye if they lose in the Big 12 title game. Boise State, on the other hand, received recognition for their strong performance and is positioned at No. 12.
As the season progresses, elimination games are on the horizon for several SEC teams ranked between No. 11 and No. 16, including Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU, and Ole Miss. Matchups against tough opponents could make or break their playoff hopes. The competition is fierce, with undefeated teams like Indiana and BYU adding complexity to the playoff picture.
In conclusion, the first CFP Rankings have set the stage for an exciting and competitive college football playoff race in the 2024 season. Teams will need to battle it out on the field and secure crucial wins to solidify their spots in the 12-team playoff bracket. The upcoming games will be crucial in determining which teams will ultimately make a run for the national championship.
