NCAAF · 2 hours ago

12-Team College Football Playoff Bracket Based on AP Poll

Grant White

Host · Writer

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CFP National Championship: #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. #5 Texas Longhorns
We're calling it now. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will take on the Texas Longhorns for the 2027 College Football Playoff National Championship.

The AP Poll may have the Irish and Longhorns listed as third and fifth, respectively, in its preseason poll; however, the betting market offers a more eye-catching perspective. Notre Dame is listed as a co-favorite, currently priced at +600. Texas is close behind, listed at +650.

Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish have an axe to grind, and we expect them to wield it unmercifully this season. We predict that Notre Dame will be crowned National Champions in 2027.

Nevertheless, Arch Manning gets the consolation prize of being the first overall selection in the 2027 NFL Draft.
CFP First-Round: #5 Texas Longhorns vs. #12 Boise State
We are heading into Week 1 of the 2026 college football season, and the AP Poll has listed its top contenders for the upcoming campaign. Based on their current projections, they would pit the fifth-seeded Texas Longhorns against the top-ranked Group of 6 program, which just happens to be the Boise State Broncos.

The Broncos narrowly edged out the Navy Midshipmen on the strength of votes. While both teams are technically outside of the Top 25, Boise State earned 43 points, whereas Navy is hovering with 10.

In the end, it will all prove inconsequential. As we continue to see, the Group of 6 is no match for the Power 4 conferences. Naturally, Texas would be on to the quarterfinals.
CFP First-Round: #6 Indiana Hoosiers vs. #11 LSU Tigers
The defending champion Indiana Hoosiers are looking to rekindle their championship aspirations. Despite some notable losses, the AP Poll has the Hoosiers taking on the LSU Tigers in the opening round.

We can't take LSU's inclusion for granted, either. The Tigers have been mired in a years-long slump, failing to make the playoffs since their 2019 National Championship campaign. Lane Kiffin brings renewed optimism to Death Valley, and LSU is positioned for success.

Kiffin's winning pedigree should be enough to lift the Tigers to a presumed upset victory over the Hoosiers in Round 1.
CFP First-Round: #7 Miami Hurricanes vs. #10 Oklahoma Sooners
Sure, the Miami Hurricanes saw some turnover this offseason. They lost a few key defensive performers and will have a new quarterback under center. Still, the Hurricanes might be the most under-appreciated team at the outset of the season.

The other side of this coin reveals an Oklahoma Sooners squad that can't seem to figure out their new conference. Since joining the SEC, the Sooners have gone 8-8, though they earned a playoff berth last season. As we saw, Oklahoma was outgunned by a conference foe in the opening round.

Given the option between a perennial underachiever and the ACC front-runner, we pick the latter. Miami gets the edge in this one.
CFP First-Round: #8 Texas A&M Aggies vs. #9 Ole Miss Rebels
As is typically the case at the outset of the season, there is a plethora of SEC teams in the AP Top 25. Sadly, we have the Texas A&M Aggies listed as one of the teams to fall out of contention.

Texas A&M faces a daunting schedule. Currently, they face six ranked teams throughout the season, with all but two of those coming on the road. That's without considering their regular season finale against the Texas Longhorns.

Assuredly, the Ole Miss Rebels will be in a playoff spot at the end of the season. The AP Poll has them as the lower seed in this matchup, but if it comes to fruition, we have the Rebels priced as favorites.

Ole Miss is off to the quarterfinals.
CFP Quarterfinals: #1 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. #9 Ole Miss Rebels
It wasn't so long ago that everyone was calling for Ryan Day's head. Two seasons, a National Championship, and a sterling 26-4 record later, the Buckeyes are the preseason favorite in the AP Poll.

Irrespective of turnover, Ohio State has playmakers at every level. Offensively, this team will move the chains with ease. Defensively, they continue to upend the competition in, arguably, the most challenging conference in the country.

This is the matchup that the Rebels want to avoid. Undoubtedly, Ohio State would make short work of Ole Miss in the quarterfinals.
CFP Quarterfinals: #2 Georgia Bulldog vs. #7 Miami Hurricanes
The sharpest minds have already recognized that we don't have the AP Poll's second-ranked team in this spot. It seems virtually impossible that Big Ten teams will finish top two in the CFP bracket, meaning this spot belongs to the Georgia Bulldogs.

If the Bulldogs reign atop the SEC, as expected, they should be a shoo-in for the second seed in the CFP. A clash versus the Miami Hurricanes would end up being one of the most entertaining games of the entire season.

Continuity is Georgia's most valuable asset. With that, we predict a hard-fought win and a spot in the semifinals.
CFP Quarterfinals: #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. #11 LSU Tigers
There aren't many coaches who could outperform Marcus Freeman, but Lane Kiffin is one of them. Cross your fingers that the Notre Dame Fighting Irish battle it out with the LSU Tigers in the CFP quarterfinals.

Notre Dame's defense could go down in history as one of the most dominant units ever. This team is laden with elite players who are battle-tested and ready to make amends for last season's playoff snub.

As good as the Tigers' offense is, they would be no match for the Irish. Notre Dame advances.
CFP Quarterfinals: #4 Oregon Ducks vs. #5 Texas Longhorns
Poetically, this is the CFP quarterfinal showdown that everyone is hoping for. Two of the top quarterback prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft would stand toe-to-toe, trading blows all night.

To date, Arch Manning has been the more disappointing player. The Longhorns' pivot fell fast and hard in the Heisman Trophy race last season, taking his teammates down with him. Conversely, Dante Moore transitioned seamlessly in Oregon, and the Ducks have been one of the most consistent programs in college football.

Alas, we expect Manning to spearhead a redemption arc in 2026. It should be enough to propel Texas into the next round.
CFP Semifinals: #1 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. #5 Texas Longhorns
At the start of last season, the Ohio State Buckeyes upended the Texas Longhorns in an upset victory. A neutral-site semifinal matchup would tilt the odds in the Longhorns' favor.

Julian Sayin was tasked with taking over the Buckeyes' offense, and he put forth a Heisman-worthy performance last season. Despite that success, he threw two touchdowns in Ohio State's quarterfinal loss and ran for -42 yards. It might take another hard lesson before he's able to lead the Buckeyes back to glory.

The Longhorns are loaded on both sides of the football, and we foresee a classic revenge game performance from Manning.

Texas heads back to the big dance.
CFP Semifinals: #2 Georgia Bulldogs vs. #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Marcus Freeman has built a winning culture in South Bend. Most programs these days scour the transfer portal, luring prominent players with lucrative NIL deals. Notre Dame operates on a different frequency, and that would be the difference in this semifinal clash versus Georgia.

The Bulldogs don't have too many holes in their roster. They attracted just a handful of transfers, but with several true freshmen expected to compete for meaningful playing time, Notre Dame's depth will be too much to overcome.

The Irish continue their assault on the college football scene and move one win away from a perfect season.
CFP National Championship: #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. #5 Texas Longhorns
We're calling it now. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will take on the Texas Longhorns for the 2027 College Football Playoff National Championship.

The AP Poll may have the Irish and Longhorns listed as third and fifth, respectively, in its preseason poll; however, the betting market offers a more eye-catching perspective. Notre Dame is listed as a co-favorite, currently priced at +600. Texas is close behind, listed at +650.

Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish have an axe to grind, and we expect them to wield it unmercifully this season. We predict that Notre Dame will be crowned National Champions in 2027.

Nevertheless, Arch Manning gets the consolation prize of being the first overall selection in the 2027 NFL Draft.
CFP First-Round: #5 Texas Longhorns vs. #12 Boise State
We are heading into Week 1 of the 2026 college football season, and the AP Poll has listed its top contenders for the upcoming campaign. Based on their current projections, they would pit the fifth-seeded Texas Longhorns against the top-ranked Group of 6 program, which just happens to be the Boise State Broncos.

The Broncos narrowly edged out the Navy Midshipmen on the strength of votes. While both teams are technically outside of the Top 25, Boise State earned 43 points, whereas Navy is hovering with 10.

In the end, it will all prove inconsequential. As we continue to see, the Group of 6 is no match for the Power 4 conferences. Naturally, Texas would be on to the quarterfinals.

Sep 9 8:20 PM

SpreadMoneyTotal

NE

+3.5

+166

O 44.5

SEA

-3.5

-198

U 44.5

Sep 10 8:35 PM

SpreadMoneyTotal

SF

+3.5

+166

O 48.5

LAR

-3.5

-198

U 48.5

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