With only two weeks of college football in the books it’s still a bit premature to make blanket predictions about how the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff. But one simulator is going to give it a go regardless.
On Thursday, the Kelley Ford college football ratings outlet released its updated projection of the College Football Playoff bracket.
Taking the first four spots as conference champions are (from No. 1 through No. 4) Texas (SEC), Ohio State (Big Ten), Miami (ACC) and Utah (Big 12).
Rounding out the 12 from No. 5 to No. 12 are Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Penn State, USC, Missouri and Boise State.
That’ll give us opening round matchups of Ole Miss-Penn State, Georgia-Boise State, Alabama-Missouri and Tennessee-USC.
Updated projected College Football Playoff bracket! pic.twitter.com/0cZIGRu5Nh
— Kelley Ford (@KFordRatings) September 12, 2024
Fans have already weighed in on the projection with many saying that Georgia seemingly gets an easier path to the semifinals as a 5-seed than Texas as a 1-seed, while others are excited for some of the potential matchups:
“The playoff format is so flawed. Every single bracket projection I’ve seen gives the 5 seed an easier road to the semis than the 1 seed,” one user remarked.
“I’d take it right now @Jon__Reed SC in Neyland to go two round two in the Rose Bowl vs the Buckeyes???” a Vols fan wrote.
“OSU running the table,” a third declared.
There’s still tons and tons of college football to be played between now and the end of November, when the committee makes its final judgment. But it certainly does feel like a good number of the teams in this ranking will still be in contention by the time the big vote comes.
Related: The Biggest Roadblock On Each Top 10 Team’s Path To The College Football Playoff