We are almost at that point in the season where the committee will be releasing their weekly top-25. It’s good fun and generates discussion, but what the committee does is not the same as what I am doing here. The committee is aiming to rank teams where they currently stand, whereas I am trying to be forward-facing and predict who the 12 will be come Selection Sunday in December. So let’s dive in and see if we can call the bracket with just over a month out!
1. Ohio State
I’m ready to declare the Ohio State Buckeyes a CFP lock. They had a bye in Week 9 and had an extra week to prepare for a Penn State team that now has an interim head coach and backup quarterback. This was supposed to be one of the best matchups of the season, but now it’s just another game I can’t possibly see Ryan Day’s squad taking a loss.
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2. Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti watches his team prior to the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
The Indiana Hoosiers are like Bachman-Turner Overdrive; they’ve been taking care of business. We know Curt Cignetti loves to run up a score to help his advanced metrics, and Saturday’s win over UCLA marked Indiana’s second conference win by more than 50 points. It’s really difficult to envision this Indiana team losing twice before Indianapolis, which is what it would take to knock them out of the bracket.
3. Texas A&M
I’m sorry, Texas A&M, I was not familiar with your game. I have been doubting this team all season long, thinking that their win over Notre Dame was fluky and their roster was flawed. But I was wrong. This team will be in the CFP. Marcel Reed has turned me into a believer. They have an incredibly tough spot waiting for them with rivalry weekend in Austin, but if they make it to that game at 11-0, the result will not matter.
4. Alabama
What is it with Kalen DeBoer and these road matchups against unranked teams? Or is it matchups with mobile quarterbacks? Either way, the Tide cut it a little too close for comfort on the road against South Carolina, but they remain unbeaten in the SEC. There will be roadblocks on the road to the CFP, but the Tide has all the capability to clear them.
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5. Georgia
Oct 18, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart prior to the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Dawgs had a much-deserved bye in Week 9. Even though the math does not back it, I am almost ready to call Georgia a CFP lock. This is because Georgia’s strength of schedule is going to be so good by the end of the season that Kirby Smart and co. can find themselves in the CFP at 9-3.
6. Oregon
The Ducks had a very ho-hum 21-7 victory over Wisconsin in Week 9, with a bye upcoming. The Ducks will have four games remaining, and while they will be favored in all four, the opponents are all good enough to provide a potential scare. We will learn more about this Oregon team in the next month.
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7. Notre Dame
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates after getting a first down in the second half of a NCAA football game against Southern California at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in South Bend.
Don’t look now — but Notre Dame is still tracking to make it back to the CFP. 10-2 gets them in. Point blank. And if they do get in, they’re a tough out, given the efficiency of their ground game with Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, and CJ Carr growing up right in front of our eyes.
8. Ole Miss
No team did more to help their CFP chances in Week 9 than Ole Miss. The Rebels dispatched Oklahoma, who was their toughest remaining opponent. The Rebels are sitting with one loss and will be favored in every remaining game by at least a TD. If they can avoid an inexplicable loss, which has bit them in the Kiffin era, they’re in the CFP.
9. Miami
The Hurricanes had a nice bounce-back game against Stanford in Week 9. The Hurricanes should have November 29th circled – it’s when they travel to Pitt for their toughest remaining game. If they can avoid Crisobal-ing between now and then, they’re going to be in the CFP with a victory over Pitt.
10. Georgia Tech
Oct 25, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key celebrates after a victory over the Syracuse Orange at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Yellow Jackets are the most interesting team in college football right now. They have a very simple job – if they make it to the Georgia game at 11-0, they’ll be in the CFP regardless of what happens over the next 14 days. But there are all kinds of permutations that could come into play should Brent Key’s crew lose between now and then.
11. BYU
I’m finally putting BYU into my 12-team bracket. It’s well-known that the Big 12 is the Conference of Chaos, so anything can happen. But after Week 9, the Cougars are still unbeaten and have been more impressive than the other unbeaten (Cincinnati). A 12-0 regular season OR a Big 12 Championship will get the Cougars in the bracket.
12. Memphis
For the first time all season, the South Florida Bulls are not the Group of 5 representative in my CFP bracket. Thanks to Memphis beating them in Week 9, Pandora’s box has been opened. South Florida had a stranglehold on this position. But now, they no longer control their own destiny, and anything can happen in the American Conference. Too much chaos could easily send the bid to Boise State or James Madison.
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