The latest College Football Playoff bracket, built from the AP Top 25, would feature three of the top four seeds from the SEC and two Big 12 teams in the field.
Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame and Mississippi would claim the top four seeds, while Indiana, Miami, Ohio State and Alabama would be lined up to host first-round matchups.
Under the current format, the five highest-ranked conference champions from the Power Four plus one from the Group of Six automatically qualify for the CFP. The remaining seven berths go to the next highest-ranked teams, with Notre Dame eligible as an at-large if it finishes in the top 12 of the final CFP rankings.
Based on this snapshot, the SEC would send five teams to the postseason bracket. The Big 12 and Big Ten would place two apiece, and the ACC would have one. Notre Dame would be in as an independent, and Boise State would represent the Pac-12 as the highest-ranked Group of Six champion.
College Football Playoff bracket opening matchups
Using the AP rankings, the first round would be set as follows:
- No. 9 BYU at No. 8 Alabama. Winner faces No. 1 Texas.
- No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Indiana. Winner faces No. 4 Mississippi.
- No. 10 LSU at No. 7 Ohio State. Winner faces No. 2 Georgia.
- No. 11 Texas Tech at No. 6 Miami. Winner faces No. 3 Notre Dame.
The first three teams on the outside looking in would be Southern California, Penn State and Tennessee.
Although USC is No. 12 in the AP poll, it would be nudged out by Boise State, which is not ranked but received the most votes among Group of Six programs and would take the automatic berth allotted to that tier’s top champion.
Key dates on the CFP calendar are set, with first-round games on Dec. 18 and 19. Quarterfinals are slated for Dec. 30 and Jan. 1, semifinals on Jan. 14 and 15, and the national championship on Jan. 25 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The AP plans to continue publishing weekly brackets based on its Top 25 until the CFP selection committee releases its initial rankings on Nov. 3.
