12-Team College Football Playoff Bracket Based on AP Poll
Grant White
Host · Writer
8. Oregon Ducks vs. 9. Penn State Nittany Lions
Another potential conference battle is in the No. 8 vs. No. 9 spot, with the Oregon Ducks holding a slight advantage over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the AP Poll. Both teams took care of business as favorites in Week 5, solidifying their playoff positions as we approach the halfway point of the season.
This potential matchup pits two philosophically different programs against each other. The high-flying Ducks continue to ride their offense to glory, while Penn State intends to grind out hard-fought wins with its defense.
The futures board reflects these teams' championship pedigree. Oregon is installed near the top of the board as a +1000 frontrunner, with the Nittany Lions close behind at +1800. Those odds will only shift marginally as we approach the end of the season.
National Championship Odds: Oregon +1000, Penn State +1800
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (SEC Champion)
The cat is out of the bag -- the Alabama Crimson Tide are good at football.
On Saturday night, Bama demolished the previous National Championship frontrunners, the Georgia Bulldogs. When the dust settled, the Crimson Tide cashed as plus-money home underdogs and moved to the top of every national ranking.
In doing so, they secured their position atop the AP Poll and the presumptive first seed heading into Week 6 of the college football season.
National Championship Odds: +380
2. Ohio State Buckeyes (Big Ten Champion)
Still, the class of the Big Ten, the Ohio State Buckeyes, are holding steady as the third seed in this week's AP Poll. As a result, they're locked into the College Football Playoffs' second seed with a first-round bye.
Ohio State made short work of the Michigan State Spartans. The Buckeyes cruised to a 31-point victory at Spartan Stadium, covering the 23.5 spread. Their defensive efficiency was on full display, as the Big Ten leaders held Michigan State to 246 total yards, with only 47 of those coming on the ground.
Next up, Ohio State hosts the Iowa Hawkeyes before facing their first real test with a road trip to Eugene for a date with the Oregon Ducks.
National Championship Odds: +370
3. Miami Hurricanes (ACC Champion)
The Miami Hurricanes averted disaster, staging a late-game comeback over the Virginia Tech Hokies in Week 5. While they're still the top-ranked ACC program, they did slip one spot in the AP Poll.
Offense hasn't been an issue for Miami this year, but we're starting to worry about their defensive standing. For the second straight week, the Hurricanes gave up nearly 400 yards of offense to an underwhelming opponent. Those concerns will be brought to the forefront against the top competition, particularly in the playoffs.
For now, the Hurricanes can rest easy as the three-seed in the College Football Playoff based on the AP Poll.
National Championship Odds: +1800
4. Iowa State Cyclones (Big 12 Champion)
The Big 12 has become the most tightly contested division after the Utah Utes home blunder against the Arizona Wildcats. There are two undefeated teams and seven one-loss teams heading into Week 6. The Iowa State Cyclones are the highest-ranked team, sitting 16th in the AP Poll and leaving them fourth in the CFP bracket.
Defense remains the backbone of Iowa State's success. They held the Houston Cougars scoreless at home in Week 5, limiting the hosts to 169 rushing and 72 passing yards. As a result, opponents are averaging a paltry 242.0 yards per game against the Cyclones this season.
Iowa State's toughest tests come in the last two weeks of the season when it faces the Utes and Kansas State Wildcats. But if the Cyclones can emerge unscathed by then, they may have already secured a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game.
National Championship Odds: +13000
5. Texas Longhorns vs. 12. Boise State Broncos
Arguably the best team in the country, the Texas Longhorns were relegated to the second seed in the most recent AP Poll. However, as the second-ranked SEC team, they would fall into the dreaded No. 5 vs. No. 12 matchup in the CFP.
Few teams can hang with the Longhorns offense. Texas averages 45.0 points per game, coincidentally tied with the team they could face in Round 1, the Boise State Broncos. Both teams put forward decisive efforts in Week 5. Texas secured a 35-13 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs, and Boise State triumphed over the previously undefeated Washington State Cougars 45-24.
This is the first-round matchup college football fans deserve, so let's hope the CFP committee makes it happen.
National Championship Odds: Texas +500, Boise State +20000
6. Tennessee Volunteers vs. 11. Michigan Wolverines
Based on the most recent AP Poll, the Tennessee Volunteers could be tasked with dethroning the reigning champs in the opening round of the playoffs. The Vols are ranked fourth nationally, with the Michigan Wolverines settling for the tenth seed, putting them sixth and 11th in the CFP.
Tennessee was idle in Week 5, but the Wolverines clawed their way to victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Michigan was in control from the outset but allowed 21 fourth-quarter points to let Minnesota sneak in the back door and cover.
There's still plenty to be decided in both conferences, but for now, Tennessee and Michigan should plan on playing in the postseason.
National Championship Odds: Tennessee +1000, Michigan +13000
7. Georgia Bulldogs vs. 10. Missouri Tigers
Inevitably, a pair of SEC programs will likely meet in the first round of the playoffs. Based on the most recent AP Poll, that's shaping up to be the Georgia Bulldogs hosting the Missouri Tigers at Sanford Stadium.
Despite their best efforts, the Bulldogs came up short in their come-from-behind bid over Alabama in Week 5. That dropped Georgia to fifth in the rankings, falling four spots from their previous perch atop the poll. Even though they were on a bye, Mizzou was bumped up two spots by virtue of the other outcomes.
These teams don't meet in the regular season, so unless they clash in the SEC Championship game, this will be a grudge match for the ages.
National Championship Odds: Georgia +550, Missouri +6000
8. Oregon Ducks vs. 9. Penn State Nittany Lions
Another potential conference battle is in the No. 8 vs. No. 9 spot, with the Oregon Ducks holding a slight advantage over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the AP Poll. Both teams took care of business as favorites in Week 5, solidifying their playoff positions as we approach the halfway point of the season.
This potential matchup pits two philosophically different programs against each other. The high-flying Ducks continue to ride their offense to glory, while Penn State intends to grind out hard-fought wins with its defense.
The futures board reflects these teams' championship pedigree. Oregon is installed near the top of the board as a +1000 frontrunner, with the Nittany Lions close behind at +1800. Those odds will only shift marginally as we approach the end of the season.
National Championship Odds: Oregon +1000, Penn State +1800
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (SEC Champion)
The cat is out of the bag -- the Alabama Crimson Tide are good at football.
On Saturday night, Bama demolished the previous National Championship frontrunners, the Georgia Bulldogs. When the dust settled, the Crimson Tide cashed as plus-money home underdogs and moved to the top of every national ranking.
In doing so, they secured their position atop the AP Poll and the presumptive first seed heading into Week 6 of the college football season.
National Championship Odds: +380
