12-Team College Football Playoff Predictions

As the college football season unfolds, the landscape is marked by significant changes, including the integration of new teams into established conferences. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) will prominently feature its logo during the highly anticipated matchup between the Longhorns and Sooners. Meanwhile, the University of Southern California (USC) will showcase its iconic mascot, Traveler, during a Friday night game against fellow Big Ten newcomer Rutgers at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The emergence of superconferences and the introduction of a 12-team College Football Playoff have added layers of unpredictability to the season. Despite the shifting dynamics, no teams outside the Power Four and Notre Dame began the season ranked in the AP Top 25. Historically, the Big 12 has seen unranked teams make significant playoff runs, with four of the last five title games featuring at least one such team. This season is particularly notable for the University of Michigan, which faces a challenging schedule amid substantial coaching and roster changes, marking a reset year for the program. In the Big Ten, predictions favor Ohio State to triumph over Oregon, while the Boise State Broncos are expected to secure back-to-back titles in a conference experiencing a wave of new or interim coaching staff. The Georgia Bulldogs, despite potential imperfections, are viewed as the team best equipped to navigate the rigorous SEC schedule. As schools contemplate coaching changes, there is speculation about whether they will wait until the postseason or act aggressively during the season. The volatility of the current landscape suggests that the first and second rounds of the playoffs may be particularly unpredictable, with Ohio State projected to emerge victorious in the title game on January 20.