With Week 3 of the 2024 college football season in the books, it’s time to project how the new 12-team playoff will look by December. And after three weeks of the season, projections and predictions on how the bracket could look in December have changed significantly from August.
The projected 12-team field sees a change at the top, as Texas takes the No. 1 spot from Georgia. A close call by the Bulldogs at Kentucky drops coach Kirby Smart's team to No. 5 in the playoff ranks. Outside of the SEC, projected champions in other power conferences - Miami (ACC), Utah (Big 12), and Ohio State (Big Ten) remained the same from the previous week. USC, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State headline the three teams just outside of the 12-team setup after Week 3.
Although the season is just getting started, the impact of every game isn't limited to just the top four. Instead, each contest takes on an increased role due to eight additional spots in the playoff, as well as seeding, and the automatic bids for conference champions.
As a refresher: 12 teams — the five highest-rated conference champions and seven highest-ranked at-large selections by the selection committee — will receive berths to the College Football Playoff. The top four teams receive a bye, with the first-round games slated to be played at the home sites of the higher seed. Beginning with the quarterfinals, all games through the national championship will be played at bowl or neutral sites.
Related: College Football Bowl Projections for 2024
With Week 3 completed, Athlon Sports projects the CFP field for 2024:
College Football Playoff 12-Team Preseason Projections for 2024
The Projected Field for 2024-25
Ranking All 134 College Football Teams for 2024
1. Texas (Projected SEC Champion)
2. Ohio State (Projected Big Ten Champion)
3. Miami (Projected ACC Champion)
4. Utah (Projected Big 12 Champion)
5. Georgia
6. Ole Miss
7. Alabama
8. Oregon
9. Tennessee
10. Penn State
11. Missouri
12. Memphis (Projected Highest G5 Champion)
Bubble Watch After Week 3
USC (2-0)
Kansas State (3-0)
Oklahoma State (3-0)
Notre Dame (2-1)
Michigan (2-1)
LSU (2-1)
Oklahoma (2-1)
Clemson (1-1)
Iowa State (2-0)
Nebraska (3-0)
Louisville (3-0)
G5 Playoff Contenders
Projected Conference Champions: Memphis, Boise State, Liberty, Appalachian State, and Miami (Ohio)
Other G5 Teams in the Mix: Northern Illinois, Tulane, South Florida, UTSA, James Madison, Texas State, Toledo, UNLV, and Fresno State
College Football Playoff First Round
First-round games will be placed on campus sites of highest seed. Matchups will take place from Dec. 20-21.
No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 12 Memphis
No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 Missouri
No. 7 Alabama vs. No. 10 Penn State
No. 8 Oregon vs. No. 9 Tennessee
Related: Ranking All 134 College Football Teams for 2024
College Football Playoff Quarterfinals
Second-round games will be played at bowl sites and will take place from Dec. 31-Jan. 1.
Fiesta Bowl (Dec. 31)
Projection: No. 4 Utah vs. No. 5 Georgia
Peach Bowl (Jan. 1)
Projection: No. 3 Miami vs. No. 6 Ole Miss
Rose Bowl (Jan. 1)
Projection: No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Alabama
Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1)
Projection: No. 1 Texas vs. No. 9 Tennessee
College Football Playoff Semifinals
Semifinal games will be played at bowl sites. Matchups are scheduled for Jan. 9-10.
Orange Bowl (Jan. 9)
Projection: No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 6 Ole Miss
Cotton Bowl (Jan. 10)
Projection: No. 1 Texas vs. No. 5 Georgia
National Championship
Jan. 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Ga.
Projection: No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 2 Ohio State
Steven Lassan is the senior college football writer and editor for AthlonSports.com. Follow him on Twitter , Instagram , and Facebook .
Related: College Football Bowl Projections for 2024-25
Related: Predicting the AP Top 25 College Football Poll After Week 3
Related: College Football Top 134 Team Rankings for 2024
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