NCAAF · 11 hours ago

12-Team College Football Playoff Bracket Based on the AP Poll

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

You Tell Us! How Close Will the Actual CFP Bracket be to the AP Poll?
Debate the AP Poll Bracket: How Do You Like the Straight-Seeding Format?

We've converted the latest AP Poll into the updated 12-team CFP bracket, but now it's your turn to debate the board!
- THE NOTRE DAME BYE: Is it better for college football that Notre Dame (#3 AP) can earn a top-four seed and 1st-round bye under straight seeding rules?
- 1ST-ROUND FAVORITES: Which host, Ohio State, Alabama, Indiana, or BYU, has the scariest home field in December?
- ROAD SHOCKER: Which visiting team, LSU, Ole Miss, or Texas Tech, is most likely to pull off an opening-round upset?
Drop your hot takes and playoff brackets in the comments!
CFP Bracket Based on the AP Poll
AP Bracketology: Projecting the 12-Team College Football Playoff Field

With five weeks of college football action in the books, the AP Top 25 paints a clear picture of the national championship race. Under updated straight-seeding playoff protocols, the top four overall seeds and 1st-round byes go strictly to the four highest-ranked teams chosen by the selection committee, regardless of whether they won a conference championship or operate as an Independent like Notre Dame. Meanwhile, the highest-ranked Group of 5 representative guarantees a ticket to the 12-team dance.

Converting the latest AP Poll into the updated postseason format, here is how the projected 12-team College Football Playoff field and bracket stack up heading into October.
12. Boise State Broncos (4-1)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 12 Seed) – Highest Group of 5 Representative

Under CFP rules, the highest-ranked Group of 5 team is guaranteed a spot in the 12-team field, bumping AP #12 Utah out of the bracket. Maddux Madsen and the Boise State Broncos lock down Seed 12, bringing a rushing attack averaging 226.6 yards per game and 34.4 points per game to the opening round.
11. Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-0)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 11 Seed) – AP No. 11

Unblemished at 5-0, the Texas Tech Red Raiders rank #11 in the AP Poll. Quarterback Will Hammond leads a balanced squad scoring 34.8 points per game, backed by an opportunistic defense giving up just 16.2 points per game.
10. LSU Tigers (4-1)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 10 Seed) – AP No. 10

Sitting at #10 in the AP Poll, Lane Kiffin's LSU Tigers snag an at-large road bid. Backed by Sam Leavitt, LSU's offense ranks second nationally in total output at 547.8 yards per game (43.6 points per game), giving them massive scoring potential in any environment.
9. Ole Miss Rebels (3-1)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 9 Seed) – AP No. 9

Pete Golding's Ole Miss Rebels hold down #9 in the AP Poll, securing a road wildcard berth. Trinidad Chambliss conducts a high-tempo attack averaging 35.5 points per game, giving the Rebels game-breaking firepower as they head on the road.
8. BYU Cougars (4-0)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 8 Seed) – AP No. 8

At #8 in the AP Poll, the BYU Cougars claim the final 1st-round home game in Provo. Bear Bachmeier guides a physical offense producing 235.5 rushing yards per game and 37.3 points per game, while a hard-nosed defense allows just 14.3 points per game and 268.0 total yards per game.
7. Indiana Hoosiers (5-0)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 7 Seed) – AP No. 7

Curt Cignetti's defending champion Indiana Hoosiers hold #7 in the AP Poll, securing a 1st-round home game in Bloomington. Josh Hoover and Charlie Becker propel an offense producing 44.2 points per game (489.6 total yards per game), while Indiana's defense surrenders a stingy 10.8 points per game.
6. Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 6 Seed) – AP No. 6

Sitting at #6 in the AP Poll, Kalen DeBoer's Alabama Crimson Tide snag the second 1st-round home game. Young signal-caller Keelon Russell has Alabama lighting up scoreboards for 49.6 points per game and 473.8 total yards per game (287.4 passing yards per game), turning Bryant-Denny Stadium into an opening-round postseason venue.
5. Ohio State Buckeyes (4-1)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 5 Seed) – AP No. 5

Holding #5 in the AP Poll, Ryan Day's Ohio State Buckeyes take the premier at-large hosting spot. The Buckeyes put up 514.4 total yards per game (357.0 passing yards per game) and 42.2 points per game, fueled by Julian Sayin and wideout Jeremiah Smith. Giving up only 12.6 points per game on defense, Ohio State welcomes opening-round visitors to Columbus.
4. Miami Hurricanes (5-0)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 4

Mario Cristobal's Miami Hurricanes round out the top four seeds as the #4 team in the AP Poll. Quarterback Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney lead the nation's #1 total offense, exploding for 554.8 total yards per game (334.4 passing, 220.4 rushing) and 49.6 points per game. Backed by a defense surrendering just 9.8 points per game, South Florida locks down the final 1st-round bye.
3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-0)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 3

Under updated straight-seeding rules, Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish earn a top-four seed and a 1st-round bye as the #3 team in the AP Poll. Notre Dame boasts the #1 total defense in America, allowing a microscopic 216.6 total yards per game (158.2 passing, 58.4 rushing) and just 11.8 points per game. Driven by quarterback CJ Carr, South Bend secures a week of postseason rest.
2. Georgia Bulldogs (5-0)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 2

Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs hold down #2 in the AP Poll with 1,647 points, locking up the second 1st-round bye. Quarterback Gunner Stockton leads an offense averaging 51.4 points per game (478.8 total yards per game), while a ruthless Bulldog defense holds opposing rushing attacks to a microscopic 57.4 yards per game (13.4 PPG allowed).
1. Texas Longhorns (4-0)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 1

Steve Sarkisian's Texas Longhorns command the top spot in college football with 1,737 points and 61 first-place votes in the AP Poll. Behind Arch Manning under center, Texas couples a lethal scoring offense with a defense yielding just 13.3 points per game and 271.0 total yards per game. As the undisputed #1 team in America, Texas claims the top overall seed and a 1st-round bye.
Projected 12-Team CFP Bracket & Matchups
1st-Round On-Campus Matchups (Dec. 18 & 19)
- No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Ohio State
  
  The Vibe: Boise State's ground game takes on Ryan Day's Buckeyes in Columbus. Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, and Ohio State's 42.2 PPG offense pose a daunting challenge for the Broncos.
- No. 11 Texas Tech at No. 6 Alabama
  
  The Vibe: Will Hammond brings Texas Tech's 5-0 offense into Bryant-Denny Stadium to trade throws with Keelon Russell and Alabama's scoring machine (49.6 PPG).
- No. 10 LSU at No. 7 Indiana
  
  The Vibe: A high-octane battle in Bloomington. Sam Leavitt's LSU offense (547.8 YPG) tests Josh Hoover and Indiana's #4 defense nationally (10.8 PPG allowed).
- No. 9 Ole Miss at No. 8 BYU
  
  The Vibe: Trinidad Chambliss takes the Rebels into a hostile environment at Provo to face Bear Bachmeier and BYU's physical rushing attack.
Quarterfinal Bowl Matchups (Dec. 30 & Jan. 1)
- No. 12 Boise State / No. 5 Ohio State winner vs. No. 4 Miami
- No. 11 Texas Tech / No. 6 Alabama winner vs. No. 3 Notre Dame
- No. 10 LSU / No. 7 Indiana winner vs. No. 2 Georgia
- No. 9 Ole Miss / No. 8 BYU winner vs. No. 1 Texas
You Tell Us! How Close Will the Actual CFP Bracket be to the AP Poll?
Debate the AP Poll Bracket: How Do You Like the Straight-Seeding Format?

We've converted the latest AP Poll into the updated 12-team CFP bracket, but now it's your turn to debate the board!
- THE NOTRE DAME BYE: Is it better for college football that Notre Dame (#3 AP) can earn a top-four seed and 1st-round bye under straight seeding rules?
- 1ST-ROUND FAVORITES: Which host, Ohio State, Alabama, Indiana, or BYU, has the scariest home field in December?
- ROAD SHOCKER: Which visiting team, LSU, Ole Miss, or Texas Tech, is most likely to pull off an opening-round upset?
Drop your hot takes and playoff brackets in the comments!
CFP Bracket Based on the AP Poll
AP Bracketology: Projecting the 12-Team College Football Playoff Field

With five weeks of college football action in the books, the AP Top 25 paints a clear picture of the national championship race. Under updated straight-seeding playoff protocols, the top four overall seeds and 1st-round byes go strictly to the four highest-ranked teams chosen by the selection committee, regardless of whether they won a conference championship or operate as an Independent like Notre Dame. Meanwhile, the highest-ranked Group of 5 representative guarantees a ticket to the 12-team dance.

Converting the latest AP Poll into the updated postseason format, here is how the projected 12-team College Football Playoff field and bracket stack up heading into October.