College Football Playoff: Week 7 CFP Bracket & Predictions

The College Football Playoffs have brought new excitement and vigor to the 2024 college football season. Check out our College Football Playoff bracket and predictions after Week 7.

As the college football season nears its most crucial stretch, the anticipation builds. The first official College Football Playoff rankings are just weeks away, and this year, they carry even more weight. With the playoff expanding to 12 teams for the first time, the stakes are higher, the moments more meaningful.

Each week brings us closer to that November 5th release, where the landscape of college football will take its clearest shape yet. But until then, we rely on what we have—the AP Top 25. While the CFP rankings and the AP poll will likely diverge at points, history shows that, by season’s end, they often align in their assessment of the nation’s best.

At the halfway mark of the 2024 season, the playoff picture is starting to come into focus. Teams have fought, clawed, and endured, each battling for one of those 12 coveted spots. For some, the path has been clear. For others, it’s been a journey of resilience. But in the end, every snap, every play, every decision has led them to this point.

This is what the field looks like today—a snapshot of the season so far, with everything still to play for. And as we edge closer to the official rankings, the excitement only grows. Because in college football, it’s not just about the destination—it’s about the journey to get there.

But this journey is far from over. In a season filled with twists, my final four—Georgia, Texas, Ohio State, and Oregon—have all proven worthy, each team ranked within the top of the AP Top 25. The preseason predictions felt bold then. Now, they feel like those teams are playing some of the best football in the country.

Yet, this sport is never about guarantees. It’s about belief. It’s about teams embracing their potential and chasing greatness. And as the season unfolds, we’ll watch these programs fight not just to hold their rankings but to write their legacy.

In college football, everything can change in a moment. But for now, the dream of seeing Texas and Oregon in the national title game feels closer than ever. The story, once imagined, is on the verge of becoming real. And for that, I’ll take it.

With that said, I feel like the Longhorns may fall to Georgia this weekend in a battle between the country’s No. 1 and No. 5 ranked teams.

Let’s check out our updated college football playoff predictions.

• No. 5 Seed – Ohio State Buckeyes – At-Large Bid (Big Ten)
• No. 6 Seed – Texas Longhorns – At-Large Bid (SEC)
• No. 7 Seed – Alabama Crimson Tide – At-Large Bid (SEC)
• No. 8 Seed – Clemson Tigers – At-Large Bid (ACC)

• No. 9 Seed – Penn State Nittany Lions – At-Large Bid (Big Ten)
• No. 10 Seed – Iowa State Cyclones – At-Large Bid (Big 12)
• No. 11 Seed – LSU Tigers – At-Large Bid (SEC)
• No. 12 Seed – Boise State Broncos – Top Ranked Group of 5

Clemson hosts Penn State in a first-round clash filled with history and anticipation. The Tigers, slow to start in 2024, have found their stride thanks to the emergence of quarterback Cade Klubnik. As the season has progressed, Klubnik has breathed new life into Clemson’s offense, turning question marks into confidence.

Penn State, built on toughness and defense, brings a battle-tested mentality into the matchup. But while their grit is undeniable, they don’t have the offensive firepower to keep pace with a Tigers team that’s hitting its stride at just the right time.

This game is more than just advancing for Clemson—it’s a testament to their resurgence. With Klubnik leading the way, the Tigers are proving they’re ready for bigger moments, and as they take the field, they do so with the belief that this journey is far from over.

Ashton Jeanty’s brilliance has captivated the nation, making him a leading contender for the Heisman in 2024. However, as he faces Ohio State, even his remarkable talent may not be enough. The Buckeyes are simply too well-rounded, with depth and dominance on both sides of the ball. In a season where every moment matters, Ohio State’s balance and firepower will prove decisive. Jeanty’s story isn’t over, but tonight belongs to the Buckeyes. They roll on with their eyes firmly set on the next round.

Iowa State’s journey this season has been nothing short of impressive, a testament to their resilience and determination. But now, they face their toughest challenge yet—going on the road to Tuscaloosa to face Ryan Williams, Jalen Milroe, and a Crimson Tide team hitting its stride. In the shadow of Bryant-Denny Stadium, the task proves too tall. Alabama, with its firepower and depth, stands ready. Roll Tide.

This is the marquee matchup of the first round—a clash of two battle-hardened SEC teams loaded with firepower and athleticism at every position. Both teams enter the game ready for a fight, but it’s the Tigers who push the Longhorns to the brink, delivering a scare Texas won’t soon forget. In the end, though, it’s Quinn Ewers who rises to the moment once again, leading Texas to another signature victory on their quest for glory.

Oregon and Clemson meet in the Sugar Bowl, a showdown of two powerhouse programs. With their trademark grit, Clemson faces a Ducks offense that can match them stride for stride. Early on, it’s a battle, with both teams trading blows. But as the game wears on, Oregon shakes off the rust from the bye week, and the second half belongs to them. With explosive plays and relentless speed, the Ducks pull away, leaving the Tigers in their wake. Ultimately, Oregon’s firepower proves too much, and they surge ahead, setting the stage for the next chapter of their journey.

Oregon 38 – Clemson 24

No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Kansas State

The Buckeyes’ road to the semifinals isn’t the most daunting, and they approach it with quiet confidence. Facing a familiar foe, Will Howard rises to the occasion, dispatching his former squad with poise and precision. Ohio State, methodical and focused, takes care of business, never letting the moment slip away. With their eyes firmly set on the prize, they move on to the semifinals—one step closer to the ultimate goal.

Ohio State 30 – Kansas State 16

No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Alabama

It feels like this rematch should unfold under the bright lights of Atlanta in the Sugar Bowl, but instead, Hollywood sets the stage for this sequel in the Rose Bowl. Georgia and Alabama—two titans of the modern college football era—meet again, writing another epic chapter in a rivalry that has delivered some of the most thrilling moments in recent memory. The stakes are high, the history-rich, but this time it’s Carson Beck’s calm and steady hand that guides the Dawgs to victory. In a game full of drama and intensity, Georgia finally takes down Alabama.

Georgia 27 – Alabama 24

No. 3 Miami vs. No. 6 Texas

Cam Ward, coming off one of the finest regular seasons of any quarterback in the nation, steps into the spotlight with Miami in the Peach Bowl. But his Hurricanes run into a Texas team that is relentless on both sides of the ball. In a game marked by big plays and momentum swings, the Longhorns ultimately prove too much. Despite Ward’s efforts, it’s Texas that outlasts Miami, their resilience carrying them to victory and one step closer to the ultimate prize.

Texas 38 – Miami 27