Rece Davis Predicts Three Big Ten Programs That Are Locks For College Football Playoff

With the College Football Playoff officially expanding to 12 teams this season, opportunities are aplenty across the country.

Following the Pac-12 being dismantled, the Big Ten Conference added four programs from the West Coast—the Oregon Ducks, UCLA Bruins, USC Trojans, and Washington Huskies. Therefore, half of the programs that reached the CFP last year now reside in the Big Ten.

However, on the latest episode of the College GameDay Podcast , host Rece Davis predicted a trio of schools from the Big Ten that will qualify for the inaugural 12-team postseason, and none of them are returning for a consecutive campaign.

"I think three teams for sure get in. As much as you can say 'for sure' in July," Davis foretold. "I think Ohio State [Buckeyes], Oregon and Penn State [Nittany Lions] make the playoff."

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The glaring team he omitted is the Michigan Wolverines, the reigning national champions. That is because head coach Jim Harbaugh departed for the same role with the Los Angeles Chargers this past offseason, along with several players being selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.

"Gotta take a little bit of a wait-and-see about Michigan—just totally rebuilding, but certainly with talent. And USC, which is rebuilding the defense, but certainly with talent," Davis explained. "I'm sure there are others; there is a dark horse in there someplace that might make the late run. I think it's three for sure, possibly four if someone emerges."

The other team left out is the team Michigan beat in the national title game, the Huskies . Head coach Kalen Deboer left Washington for Alabama days after the loss following the retirement of Nick Saban.

Ohio State is scheduled to play at Oregon on Oct. 12, then at Penn State on Nov. 2.

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