College Football Playoff bracket, predictions: Early picks as format expands to 12 teams in 2024 season

The four-team College Football Playoff era came to an end Monday night when No. 1 Michigan polished off its undefeated season with a 34-13 win over No. 2 Washington in the College Football Playoff National Championship in Houston. The win bookended the era with Big Ten teams winning national titles; Ohio State won the first edition of the four-team event following the 2014 season. Now, though, we look ahead to the future. 

The recent wave of conference realignment included the destruction of the Pac-12, which has thrown the format of the 12-team playoff into flux. The current idea is for the top six conference champions to get in along with six at-large teams. The top four teams in the final CFP Rankings, all of which will receive first-round byes, must consist of conference champions.

However, that format might go the way of the dinosaur in the coming weeks as there has been a push to eliminate one of those automatic bids for a conference champion since Washington State and Oregon State are the only two teams left in the Pac-12. 

All that in mind, let’s predict the teams that will comprise the inaugural 12-team CFP under the current 6-6 format. And be sure to check out the CBS Sports HQ analysis in the video player above. 

Predicted 2024 CFP matchups

(9) Utah at (8) Notre Dame
Winner advances to play (1) Georgia

(12) Boise State at (5) Texas
Winner advances to play (4) Oklahoma State

(11) Tulane at (6) Alabama
Winner advances to play (3) Clemson

(10) Ole Miss at (7) Washington
Winner advances to play (2) Michigan

Breaking down predicted 12-team CFP field

1. Georgia (SEC champion): Quarterback Carson Beck returns along with multiple offensive linemen and a desperation to get back on top and build upon the dynasty coach…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-playoff-bracket-predictions-early-picks-as-format-expands-to-12-teams-in-2024-season/

Author : Barrett Sallee

Publish date : 2024-01-09 18:50:05

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