With just two weeks remaining until the release of the first College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings for the 2024 season, anticipation is building among fans and teams alike. This year marks a notable expansion of the playoff format to 12 teams, so analysts are diligently projecting the potential playoff field each week leading up to the January reveal. Though the official CFP rankings are not yet available, the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 serves as a reliable guide to highlight which teams currently hold the best chances of making the playoffs. In this round-up, we take a look at the projected playoff field after a thrilling third Saturday in October.
At the top of the projected playoff field, we find the Oregon Ducks (7-0), expected to be crowned Big Ten champions. After a significant victory over Purdue and Texas’ loss, the Ducks achieved a remarkable ascent to No. 1 in the AP Top 25, their first appearance at the top since 2012. With only one ranked opponent remaining on their schedule (No. 20 Illinois), Oregon’s prospects for an undefeated season are looking increasingly favorable. The matchup against Michigan, initially anticipated to be a challenging away game, has lost some of its intimidation factor as Michigan struggles with its passing game.
The second and third spots are held by Georgia (6-1) and Miami (7-0), projected as SEC and ACC champions, respectively. Georgia recently silenced skeptics with a robust triumph over Texas, showcasing an impressive defensive performance. However, concerns remain regarding their offensive play, particularly with quarterback Carson Beck’s eight interceptions across four SEC games. Meanwhile, Miami continues to withstand nail-biting finishes in ACC games. Their latest win over Louisville was marked by a contentious fumble call, but the Hurricanes have maintained a winning streak primarily due to standout performances from Heisman frontrunner, Cam Ward, despite difficulties in controlling scores against them.
Iowa State (7-0), projected Big 12 champions, rounds out the first-round bye teams in the playoff scenario. Although they secured a tightly contested victory against UCF, allowing over 350 rushing yards, it raised questions regarding their defense’s efficacy. Rocco Becht’s game-winning touchdown showed resilience, but the close nature of their victories suggests that dominating performances will be needed to solidify their playoff position as the season advances.
As for the first-round playoff matchups, the focus turns to several intriguing matchups. No. 12 Boise State is projected to face off against No. 5 Penn State in a game laden with implications for the Mountain West and potential at-large bids. Both teams are on an upward trajectory, with Boise State preparing for what could be a Mountain West title game preview against UNLV. Similarly, No. 11 BYU has emerged with thrilling finishes, with their recent heart-pounding victory over Oklahoma State demonstrating their capability in tight situations. They are set to confront UCF next in the ever-competitive landscape of college football.
The playoff picture also sees marquee showdowns, with No. 7 Texas set to compete against No. 10 Clemson. Texas aims to bounce back after a tough outing against Georgia, while Quinn Ewers remains firmly in charge at quarterback despite earlier speculations surrounding Arch Manning’s potential role. Clemson, on the other hand, continues to display offensive prowess, recently besting Virginia 48-31 and ranking as one of the higher-scoring teams nationally, underscoring their offensive capabilities.
Finally, a projected clash between No. 8 Tennessee and No. 9 LSU emerges as an exciting possibility in the first round. Tennessee’s offense appears to be hitting its stride following their significant win over Alabama, contrasting with LSU’s steadily dominating performance leading into a showdown against Texas A&M, another heavyweight in the SEC. As teams jockey for playoff positioning, fans can expect thrilling encounters as the college football season reaches its climax, with much at stake as the inaugural College Football Playoff rankings near their unveiling.