Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Joe Murray

The College football playoff bracket

Author Joe Murray
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 02: Carson Beck #15 of the Georgia Bulldogs signals the play to teammates during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 02, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

There is a new era in college football this season. The new 12 team playoff rankings officially were released on Tuesday night. Under the new format, the CFP will see the five highest-ranked conference champions in the field and the next seven highest-ranked teams round things out. The selection committee’s job remains the same as it’s been since 2014 as it ranks the Top 25 teams. But come December, the group will have to seed the teams to fill out the bracket.

Barstool Sports on X (formerly Twitter): "The first ever 12-team CFB Playoff bracket is here and it's beautiful @UnnecRoughness pic.twitter.com/1e1J5yWUcK / X"

The first ever 12-team CFB Playoff bracket is here and it's beautiful @UnnecRoughness pic.twitter.com/1e1J5yWUcK

In the new bracket, first-round games will be at campus sites, and the four highest-seeded teams will receive byes. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be at bowl sites, and this year’s national championship will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20. The College Football Playoff bracket is sure to keep changing through November in the lead-up to the final rankings reveal on Dec. 8. Here’s where things stand after the first Top 25 announcement of the season.
  1. Oregon
  2. Georgia
  3. Miami
  4. BYU

ESPN on X (formerly Twitter): "The full top 25 rankings of the first College Football Playoff reveal of the season ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6cavXZ0aPy / X"

The full top 25 rankings of the first College Football Playoff reveal of the season ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6cavXZ0aPy

As of today these are the teams that will get a first round bye. A lot can change from now until the end of the season. BYU is a major surprise and still undefeated on the season. Lets take a look at some of the other potential matchups in the first round

First-round matchups

No. 12 seed Boise State at No. 5 seed Ohio State

No. 11 seed Alabama at No. 6 seed Texas

No. 10 seed Notre Dame at No. 7 seed Penn State

No. 9 seed Indiana at No. 8 seed Tennessee

I would love to see another Texas vs Alabama matchup. Notre Dame and Penn State would be an old time football rivalry. Indiana taking on and SEC school would be interesting and could Ashton Jeanty run against the Ohio State front? Things will change as other teams are battling for a spot in the playoff.

First four out

SMU
Texas A&M
LSU
Ole Miss

Next four out

Iowa State
Pitt
Kansas State
Colorado

Joe Murray has worked behind the scenes and on-air in New England since 2007. Murray was born and raised in Boston (Hyde Park) and is now living on the North Shore in Peabody. A graduate of CSB School of Broadcasting, Joe was hired at 98.5 The Sports Hub in 2011 and is the host of Patriots Postgame and the Over/Under Podcast with Dan Lifshatz. Joe was hired as the full-time night show host in 2023, and a featured guest for “The Weekly Spread” on NBC Sports Boston during football season. Joe writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.

Listen to Joe Murray 6-11 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow on X @JoeyMurr and Instagram @ImJoeMurray keep up with the show!

Get The 98.5 The Sports Hub Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

Stay up to date with the latest Boston sports news and analysis, local events, exclusive contests, and more.

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Joe Murray
Category:
Tags:
,,

More Joe Murray

Load More