NCAAF · 2 hours ago

12-Team College Football Playoff Bracket Based on the AP Poll Going Into Week 10

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

You Tell Us! Does the AP Poll Bracket Make Sense?
Chime in on the Poll Debate: Is the New AP Bracket Fair?

We've converted the brand-new AP Top 25 Poll into the official 12-team playoff bracket, but now it's your turn to debate the board!
- SCALLEY'S UTES SNAG A BYE: Did Morgan Scalley's 8-0 Utah Utes (#3 AP, 1,540 points) earn their 1st-round bye over undefeated UCLA and defending national champion Indiana?
- THE BUCKEYES ROAD AMBUSH: How dangerous is Ohio State sitting at Seed 11 traveling to Bloomington for an on-campus rematch with Indiana?
- FIRST-ROUND HEARTBREAK: Did the selection rules do Ole Miss dirty by bumping them out of the field at AP #12 to accommodate Boise State's Group of 6 auto-bid?
Drop your hot takes and playoff reactions in the comments!
If the 2026 AP Poll Shaped the College Football Playoff Bracket
AP Bracketology: Projecting the 12-Team College Football Playoff Field Based on the Latest AP Poll (Heading Into Week 10)

Nine weeks of the 2026 college football season are officially in the books, and Halloween weekend threw the national championship picture into an absolute blender! Between USC stunning second-ranked Ohio State in a 30-18 Coliseum ambush, Indiana surviving yet another overtime nail-biter against Minnesota, Miami dodging a massive upset bid in Chapel Hill, and Boise State escaping with a wild 46-45 shootout on the blue turf, the AP Top 25 underwent an enormous late-October shakeup.

Under updated straight-seeding playoff rules, the top four overall seeds and 1st-round byes go strictly to the four highest-ranked teams chosen by the selection committee—regardless of conference championships or Independent status. Meanwhile, the highest-ranked Group of 6 champion earns an automatic ticket to the dance, which belongs to No. 20 Boise State (7-1, 451 points). That mandatory auto-bid bumps AP #12 Ole Miss (6-2, 953 points) just outside the projected 12-team field.

Converting the brand new Week 10 AP Top 25 Poll into the official postseason bracket, here is how the projected 12-team College Football Playoff field and matchups stack up.
12. Boise State Broncos (7-1)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 12 Seed) – Highest Group of 6 Representative (AP No. 20)

Under College Football Playoff rules, the highest-ranked Group of 6 champion guarantees an automatic bid into the 12-team field. That ticket belongs to Spencer Danielson’s Boise State Broncos, who sit at #20 in the AP Poll with 451 points.

The Broncos survived an absolute shootout on the blue turf in Week 9, edging Texas State 46-45. Quarterback Max Cutforth came off the bench to fire three touchdown passes, Maddux Madsen ran for two scores, Dylan Riley ground out 86 yards and a touchdown, and wideout Rasean Jones exploded for 9 catches, 117 yards, and three touchdowns alongside Akeem Wright (8 REC, 116 YDS, 1 TD).

Boise State averages 449.3 total yards per game and 222.8 rushing yards per game (35.9 PPG), punching their ticket to the postseason dance.
11. Ohio State Buckeyes (6-2)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 11 Seed) – AP No. 11

Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes slide nine spots to #11 in the AP Poll with 1,049 points after suffering a shocking 30-18 road ambush against USC. Filling in under center, quarterback Luke Fahey threw for 260 yards and a score, while Bo Jackson ran for 121 yards on 21 carries.

Despite the setback, the Buckeyes still produce 474.8 total yards per game and 36.6 points per game while allowing just 15.5 points per game and 273.5 total yards per game on defense, keeping them inside the field as a terrifying double-digit road seed.
10. Texas Longhorns (6-2)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 10 Seed) – AP No. 10

Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Longhorns continue their surge, climbing to #10 in the AP Poll with 1,057 points. Texas dominated on the road in Week 9, dismantling Mississippi State 31-3 in Starkville. Quarterback Arch Manning was surgical, completing 16 of 20 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with Emmett Mosley V for 98 yards and a touchdown.

Paired with a defense allowing just 273.1 total yards per game and 17.1 points per game, Texas takes Seed 10.
9. Alabama Crimson Tide (6-2)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 9 Seed) – AP No. 9

Kalen DeBoer's Alabama Crimson Tide move up to #9 in the AP Poll with 1,107 points coming out of their Week 9 bye.

Alabama averages 411.9 total yards per game and 38.3 points per game behind young quarterback Keelon Russell. Supported by high-end strength-of-schedule metrics, the Tide grab the top road wildcard seed, heading to Lexington for an all-SEC clash.
8. Kentucky Wildcats (7-1)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 8 Seed) – AP No. 8

Head coach Will Stein has the Kentucky Wildcats holding the final on-campus hosting slot, climbing to #8 in the AP Poll with 1,253 points following their Week 9 bye.

The pollsters continue to reward Kentucky’s 7-1 record (5-1 in SEC play) and grueling conference schedule. Stein’s physical ground game, clock-chewing style, and disciplined defense make Kroger Field in Lexington an intimidating opening-round destination.
7. BYU Cougars (7-1)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 7 Seed) – AP No. 7

Kalani Sitake’s BYU Cougars climb to #7 in the AP Poll with 1,358 points after bouncing back from their double-overtime loss with a 27-20 win over Arizona State in Provo. Dual-threat quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw for 236 yards and a touchdown (19/30), targeting wideout Legend Glasker for four catches and 87 yards.

Anchored by their signature Week 7 win over Notre Dame, BYU's defense yields just 18.8 points per game and 298.8 total yards per game, keeping Seed 7 in Provo.
6. Indiana Hoosiers (8-1)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 6 Seed) – AP No. 6

Curt Cignetti’s defending national champions check in at #6 in the AP Poll with 1,446 points after surviving another white-knuckle overtime thriller, outlasting Minnesota 23-16 in OT. Wideout Charlie Becker went off for eight catches, 149 yards, and a score, while Lee Beebe Jr. ground out 84 rushing yards on 15 carries.

The Hoosiers feature the #1 scoring defense among Power 4 programs, allowing an absurd 12.4 points per game (112 total points allowed) and 259.2 total yards per game. Memorial Stadium in Bloomington locks down an opening-round hosting ticket.
5. UCLA Bruins (8-0)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 5 Seed) – AP No. 5

The unblemished UCLA Bruins claim the top on-campus hosting seed, climbing two spots to #5 in the AP Poll with 1,473 points (trailing Notre Dame by just three points for the bye). UCLA stayed perfect at 8-0 by shutting out Nevada 27-0 at the Rose Bowl. Quarterback Ty Dieffenbach threw for 178 yards and a touchdown, while Wayne Knight added 53 rushing yards.

The Bruins generate 427.6 total yards per game behind an elite rushing attack averaging 219.5 yards per game, backed by a defense allowing just 13.4 points per game and 260.8 total yards per game. Pasadena prepares to host December playoff football.
4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-1)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 4

Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish climb to #4 in the AP Poll with 1,476 points, taking the final 1st-round bye under straight-seeding protocols. The Irish handled business in Week 9, pulling away for a 35-13 victory over Navy. Quarterback CJ Carr was dialed in (19/29, 210 YDS, 2 TD), connecting with wideout Jerome Bettis Jr. for six catches, 78 yards, and a score.

Notre Dame boasts the #1 total defense in all of FBS, yielding a microscopic 236.3 total yards per game (150.9 passing, 85.4 rushing) and just 13.4 points per game. Generating 442.8 total yards per game and 40.4 points per game on offense, South Bend earns 1st-round rest.
3. Utah Utes (8-0)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 3

Head coach Morgan Scalley has the undefeated Utah Utes soaring into elite territory, surging three spots to #3 in the AP Poll with 1,540 points and 1 first-place vote. Utah delivered an emphatic statement in Week 9, blowing past Cincinnati 49-25 in Salt Lake City. Tight end Hunter Andrews had a monster afternoon, hauling in five catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

The Utes produce 485.4 total yards per game behind a punishing rushing attack averaging 226.9 yards per game (38.9 PPG), backed by a defense allowing just 15.9 points per game. Scalley's squad captures the Big 12's top perch and a coveted 1st-round bye.
2. Georgia Bulldogs (7-1)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 2

Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs vault into the #2 seed, climbing to #2 in the AP Poll with 1,648 points and 7 first-place votes. Georgia dominated the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville, suffocating Florida in a 27-8 blowout. Gunner Stockton called a great game, while, running back Nate Frazier powered the ground attack with 67 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.

Anchored by their banked Week 6 road triumph over Alabama, the Dawgs hold the premier resume in the SEC. Georgia averages 450.9 total yards per game and 41.0 points per game, while their defense surrenders just 14.9 points per game and 272.6 total yards per game, securing an opening-round bye.
1. Miami Hurricanes (8-0)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 1

Mario Cristobal’s Miami Hurricanes hold down the undisputed #1 overall seed in college football with 1,740 points and 62 first-place votes in the AP Poll. Miami survived a major road scare in Week 9, holding off North Carolina 38-35. Running back Javian Mallory ran for 51 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, while superstar wideout Malachi Toney hauled in seven catches for 75 yards and two scores.

Miami ranks second nationally in total offense at 534.9 yards per game (332.4 passing yards per game) and averages 47.6 points per game. Backed by a run defense yielding a stingy 60.8 rushing yards per game, the Hurricanes lock down the top seed and 1st-round postseason rest.
Projected 12-Team CFP Bracket & Matchups Based on AP Poll (1st Round)
1st-Round On-Campus Matchups (Dec. 18 & 19)
- No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 UCLA
  
  The Vibe: High-flying chaos meets Rose Bowl prestige. Dylan Riley, Rasean Jones (3 TDs in W9), and Boise State's explosive offense travel to Pasadena to challenge Ty Dieffenbach and an unblemished 8-0 UCLA defense yielding just 13.4 points per game.
- No. 11 Ohio State at No. 6 Indiana
  
  The Vibe: A colossal Big Ten rematch in Bloomington! Bo Jackson (121 rush YDS in W9) and the Buckeyes head to Memorial Stadium seeking revenge against Curt Cignetti, Charlie Becker (149 YDS in W9), and Indiana's #1 scoring defense (12.4 PPG allowed).
- No. 10 Texas at No. 7 BYU
  
  The Vibe: An absolute war in freezing Provo. Arch Manning (3 TDs in W9) and the surging Longhorns travel to square off against Bear Bachmeier and a battle-tested 7-1 BYU defense.
- No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Kentucky
  
  The Vibe: Pure, brutal SEC trench warfare. Keelon Russell and Alabama's explosive passing attack head into Lexington to clash with Will Stein and Kentucky's physical, ball-control style.
Projected 12-Team CFP Bracket & Matchups Based on AP Poll (2nd Round)
Quarterfinal Bowl Matchups (Dec. 30 & Jan. 1)
- No. 12 Boise State / No. 5 UCLA winner vs. No. 4 Notre Dame
- No. 11 Ohio State / No. 6 Indiana winner vs. No. 3 Utah
- No. 10 Texas / No. 7 BYU winner vs. No. 2 Georgia
- No. 9 Alabama / No. 8 Kentucky winner vs. No. 1 Miami
You Tell Us! Does the AP Poll Bracket Make Sense?
Chime in on the Poll Debate: Is the New AP Bracket Fair?

We've converted the brand-new AP Top 25 Poll into the official 12-team playoff bracket, but now it's your turn to debate the board!
- SCALLEY'S UTES SNAG A BYE: Did Morgan Scalley's 8-0 Utah Utes (#3 AP, 1,540 points) earn their 1st-round bye over undefeated UCLA and defending national champion Indiana?
- THE BUCKEYES ROAD AMBUSH: How dangerous is Ohio State sitting at Seed 11 traveling to Bloomington for an on-campus rematch with Indiana?
- FIRST-ROUND HEARTBREAK: Did the selection rules do Ole Miss dirty by bumping them out of the field at AP #12 to accommodate Boise State's Group of 6 auto-bid?
Drop your hot takes and playoff reactions in the comments!
If the 2026 AP Poll Shaped the College Football Playoff Bracket
AP Bracketology: Projecting the 12-Team College Football Playoff Field Based on the Latest AP Poll (Heading Into Week 10)

Nine weeks of the 2026 college football season are officially in the books, and Halloween weekend threw the national championship picture into an absolute blender! Between USC stunning second-ranked Ohio State in a 30-18 Coliseum ambush, Indiana surviving yet another overtime nail-biter against Minnesota, Miami dodging a massive upset bid in Chapel Hill, and Boise State escaping with a wild 46-45 shootout on the blue turf, the AP Top 25 underwent an enormous late-October shakeup.

Under updated straight-seeding playoff rules, the top four overall seeds and 1st-round byes go strictly to the four highest-ranked teams chosen by the selection committee—regardless of conference championships or Independent status. Meanwhile, the highest-ranked Group of 6 champion earns an automatic ticket to the dance, which belongs to No. 20 Boise State (7-1, 451 points). That mandatory auto-bid bumps AP #12 Ole Miss (6-2, 953 points) just outside the projected 12-team field.

Converting the brand new Week 10 AP Top 25 Poll into the official postseason bracket, here is how the projected 12-team College Football Playoff field and matchups stack up.