NCAAF · 17 minutes ago

12-Team College Football Playoff Bracket Based on the AP Poll Going Into Week 8

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

Have Your Say! Does the AP Poll Match Your 2026 CFP Bracket?
Get it on the CFP Debate: Is the New AP Bracket Fair?

We've converted the brand-new AP Top 25 Poll into the official 12-team playoff bracket, but now it's your turn to debate the board!
- THE #1 DEBATE: Did Miami (40 first-place votes) earn the top overall seed, or should 6-0 BYU (20 first-place votes after beating Notre Dame) or Ohio State (beat Indiana) sit at No. 1?
- VOLS & BRUINS SURGE: Are Tennessee (thumped Alabama) and 6-0 UCLA legitimate national championship contenders?
- UPSET WATCH: Can Boise State's 9th-ranked rushing attack or Utah's physical defense pull off a massive 1st-round road stunner?
Drop your hot takes and playoff bracket in the comments!
CFP Field Based on AP Poll
AP Bracketology: Projecting the 12-Team College Football Playoff Field Based on the Latest AP Poll

Seven weeks of the 2026 college football season are officially in the books, and Week 7 was pure, unadulterated chaos! Between Auburn stunning top-ranked Georgia between the hedges, BYU shocking undefeated Notre Dame in Provo, Ohio State gutting out a defensive war against Indiana, and Miami surviving a wild double-overtime thriller against Florida State, the AP Top 25 underwent a massive mid-season shakeup.

Under updated straight-seeding playoff rules, the top four overall seeds and 1st-round byes go strictly to the four highest-ranked teams chosen by the selection committee, regardless of conference championships or Independent status. Meanwhile, the highest-ranked Group of 6 representative is guaranteed a ticket to the dance, which belongs to No. 21 Boise State (5-1) following their Week 7 bye. That auto-bid bumps AP #12 Kentucky (6-1) just outside the projected 12-team field.

Converting the latest Week 8 AP Top 25 Poll into the official postseason bracket, here is how the projected 12-team College Football Playoff field and matchups stack up heading into late October.
12. Boise State Broncos (5-1)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 12 Seed) – Highest Group of 6 Representative (AP No. 21)

Under CFP rules, the highest-ranked Group of 6 champion earns an automatic bid, which belongs to Spencer Danielson’s Boise State Broncos, who moved up to #21 in the AP Poll (295 points). Coming off their Week 7 bye, the Broncos feature an offense averaging 35.0 points per game and 234.5 rushing yards per game (9th in FBS). Powered by quarterback Maddux Madsen (1,296 pass YDS, 13 TD, 89.9 QBR), workhorse tailback Dylan Riley (835 rush YDS, 6 TD on 127 CAR), and wideout Rasean Jones (359 REC YDS), Boise State brings serious giant-killing capability to the opening round.
11. Tennessee Volunteers (6-1)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 11 Seed) – AP No. 11

The Tennessee Volunteers storm into the 12-team field at #11 after leaping to #11 in the AP Poll with 1,151 points. Tennessee earned its postseason ticket in Week 7 with a statement 26-10 victory over No. 6 Alabama in Knoxville. Quarterback George MacIntyre managed the game (21/31, 197 YDS) while workhorse back DeSean Bishop ran wild for 159 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries, supported by Mike Matthews (7 REC, 85 YDS). Holding Alabama to just 10 points and boasting a defense that surrenders just 14.7 points per game, the Vols are a brutal draw for anyone.
10. Utah Utes (6-0)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 10 Seed) – AP No. 10

Morgan Scalley’s Utah Utes hold #10 in the AP Poll with 1,153 points after surviving a hostile road test at Colorado, winning 27-24. Quarterback Devon Dampier threw three touchdown passes (24/41, 278 YDS), Wayshawn Parker ground out 98 rushing yards on 23 carries, and Creed Whittemore hauled in three catches for 88 yards. Averaging 486.5 total yards per game and 40.2 points per game alongside a defense allowing just 14.8 points per game, the 6-0 Utes are a terrifying road seed.
9. UCLA Bruins (6-0)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 9 Seed) – AP No. 9

The UCLA Bruins crash the playoff field at #9 after jumping to #9 in the AP Poll with 1,159 points. Sitting at a perfect 6-0 (4-0 in the Big Ten), the Bruins proved their grit in Week 7 by beating Wisconsin 17-7 behind backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach (22/33, 264 PASS YDS) and receiver Semaj Morgan (5 REC, 84 YDS). Producing 445.8 total yards per game (231.0 rushing yards per game) while surrendering just 16.2 points per game, UCLA brings real road danger to the bracket.
8. Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-0)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 8 Seed) – AP No. 8

Unblemished at 6-0, the Texas Tech Red Raiders climb to #8 in the AP Poll with 1,336 points (1 first-place vote), claiming the final 1st-round home game. Joey McGuire’s squad put on an offensive clinic in Week 7, demolishing Arizona State 53-25. Running back J'Koby Williams had a career day with 165 rushing yards and two long touchdowns on just 11 carries, while Kenny Johnson hauled in seven catches for 120 yards. Averaging 37.8 points per game with a defense allowing just 82.0 rushing yards per game, Lubbock gets to host December playoff football.
7. Ole Miss Rebels (5-1)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 7 Seed) – AP No. 7

Pete Golding’s Ole Miss Rebels surge to #7 in the AP Poll with 1,360 points, locking up an on-campus hosting ticket in Oxford. The Rebels dominated Week 7 by dismantling No. 13 Missouri 31-3. Kewan Lacy spearheaded the ground attack with 122 rushing yards on 16 carries, while quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (1,676 pass YDS, 14 TD, 80.6 QBR) kept the chains moving. Averaging 444.5 total yards per game and 37.5 points per game, Ole Miss is built to host an explosive opening-round matchup.
6. Indiana Hoosiers (6-1)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 6 Seed) – AP No. 6

Curt Cignetti’s defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers hold #6 in the AP Poll with 1,370 points, capturing the second 1st-round home game. Indiana took its first loss of the season in a gritty 19-15 defensive war at Ohio State. Josh Hoover threw for 296 yards and a touchdown, linking up with star receiver Charlie Becker for nine catches and 165 yards. The Hoosiers feature the #1 scoring defense among Power 4 programs, allowing an absurd 12.9 points per game (90 total points allowed) and 270.6 total yards per game, ensuring Memorial Stadium rocks in December.
5. Georgia Bulldogs (6-1)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 5 Seed) – AP No. 5

Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs land at #5 in the AP Poll with 1,382 points, earning the premier at-large hosting spot. Georgia suffered a shocking 27-24 home upset against Auburn in Week 7. Quarterback Gunner Stockton threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns (22/34), connecting with Craig Dandridge for four catches and 88 yards, but late defensive lapses cost the Dawgs their top spot. Georgia averages 469.9 total yards per game and 43.0 points per game, giving them massive firepower as Sanford Stadium prepares to host a 1st-round playoff clash.
4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-1)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 4

Under updated straight-seeding protocols, Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish hold onto the final 1st-round bye at #4 in the AP Poll with 1,395 points. Notre Dame’s 16-game winning streak came to an end in a hard-fought 28-24 road battle against BYU. CJ Carr threw for 261 yards (27/49), targeting Jaden Greathouse for eight catches and 125 yards while Nolan James Jr. ran for 77 yards and a score. The Irish boast the #1 total defense in all of FBS, surrendering a microscopic 235.0 yards per game (167.7 passing, 67.3 rushing) and just 13.4 points per game. Backed by an offense scoring 41.1 points per game, South Bend heads straight to the Quarterfinals.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 3

Ryan Day's Ohio State Buckeyes claim the #3 seed after climbing to #3 in the AP Poll with 1,649 points (9 first-place votes). Ohio State earned its postseason stripe in Week 7 by edging No. 5 Indiana 19-15 in a physical Big Ten battle in Columbus. Bo Jackson ground out 56 rushing yards on 18 carries, and the defense stood tall after starting quarterback Julian Sayin was forced out due to injury. Producing 476.3 total yards per game and 39.3 points per game, alongside a defense allowing just 13.4 points per game and 264.3 total yards per game, Ohio State secures 1st-round postseason rest.
2. BYU Cougars (6-0)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 2

The biggest riser in the nation! Kalani Sitake’s BYU Cougars vault six spots to #2 in the AP Poll with 1,675 points and 20 first-place votes after delivering the signature win of the season—knocking off previously undefeated No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24 in Provo. Dual-threat quarterback Bear Bachmeier and a hard-hitting BYU defense came up with clutch fourth-quarter stops to seal the victory. Surrendering just 15.2 points per game and 274.7 total yards per game (86.2 rushing yards allowed per game), the unblemished Cougars claim the #2 seed and a 1st-round bye.
1. Miami Hurricanes (6-0)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 1

Mario Cristobal’s Miami Hurricanes take over the undisputed #1 overall seed in college football with 1,697 points and 40 first-place votes in the AP Poll. Miami survived an absolute 2OT classic in Week 7, outlasting Florida State 43-35. Darian Mensah was electric in the clutch (23/34, 326 PASS YDS, 3 TD), feeding Malachi Toney (11 REC, 154 YDS, 2 TD) while Javian Mallory ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Miami paces the entire nation in scoring offense at 48.5 points per game and total offense at 559.5 yards per game, pairing it with a defense allowing just 14.0 points per game and 58.5 rushing yards per game to lock down the top seed and a 1st-round bye.
Projected 12-Team CFP Bracket & Matchups Based on AP Poll (1st Round)
1st-Round On-Campus Matchups (Dec. 18 & 19)
- No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Georgia
  
  The Vibe: Dylan Riley (835 rush YDS) and Boise State's 9th-ranked rushing offense travel between the hedges to test Gunner Stockton and a Georgia defense looking to bounce back with fury in Athens.
- No. 11 Tennessee at No. 6 Indiana
  
  The Vibe: A clash of styles in Bloomington. D. Bishop (159 rush YDS, 2 TDs in W7) and Tennessee's ground-and-pound attack collide with Josh Hoover, Charlie Becker (165 YDS in W7), and Indiana's #1 scoring defense (12.9 PPG allowed).
- No. 10 Utah at No. 7 Ole Miss
  
  The Vibe: High-stakes action in Oxford. Devon Dampier and Utah's balanced 40.2 PPG attack head into the Grove to trade fireworks with Trinidad Chambliss, Kewan Lacy (122 rush YDS in W7), and the Rebels' quick-strike offense.
- No. 9 UCLA at No. 8 Texas Tech
  
  The Vibe: An unblemished 6-0 showdown in Lubbock! Ty Dieffenbach and the physical Bruins enter a deafening Jones AT&T Stadium to take on J'Koby Williams (165 rush YDS in W7) and Texas Tech's 53-point scoring machine.
Projected 12-Team CFP Bracket & Matchups Based on AP Poll (2nd Round)
Quarterfinal Bowl Matchups (Dec. 30 & Jan. 1)
- No. 12 Boise State / No. 5 Georgia winner vs. No. 4 Notre Dame
- No. 11 Tennessee / No. 6 Indiana winner vs. No. 3 Ohio State
- No. 10 Utah / No. 7 Ole Miss winner vs. No. 2 BYU
- No. 9 UCLA / No. 8 Texas Tech winner vs. No. 1 Miami
Have Your Say! Does the AP Poll Match Your 2026 CFP Bracket?
Get it on the CFP Debate: Is the New AP Bracket Fair?

We've converted the brand-new AP Top 25 Poll into the official 12-team playoff bracket, but now it's your turn to debate the board!
- THE #1 DEBATE: Did Miami (40 first-place votes) earn the top overall seed, or should 6-0 BYU (20 first-place votes after beating Notre Dame) or Ohio State (beat Indiana) sit at No. 1?
- VOLS & BRUINS SURGE: Are Tennessee (thumped Alabama) and 6-0 UCLA legitimate national championship contenders?
- UPSET WATCH: Can Boise State's 9th-ranked rushing attack or Utah's physical defense pull off a massive 1st-round road stunner?
Drop your hot takes and playoff bracket in the comments!
CFP Field Based on AP Poll
AP Bracketology: Projecting the 12-Team College Football Playoff Field Based on the Latest AP Poll

Seven weeks of the 2026 college football season are officially in the books, and Week 7 was pure, unadulterated chaos! Between Auburn stunning top-ranked Georgia between the hedges, BYU shocking undefeated Notre Dame in Provo, Ohio State gutting out a defensive war against Indiana, and Miami surviving a wild double-overtime thriller against Florida State, the AP Top 25 underwent a massive mid-season shakeup.

Under updated straight-seeding playoff rules, the top four overall seeds and 1st-round byes go strictly to the four highest-ranked teams chosen by the selection committee, regardless of conference championships or Independent status. Meanwhile, the highest-ranked Group of 6 representative is guaranteed a ticket to the dance, which belongs to No. 21 Boise State (5-1) following their Week 7 bye. That auto-bid bumps AP #12 Kentucky (6-1) just outside the projected 12-team field.

Converting the latest Week 8 AP Top 25 Poll into the official postseason bracket, here is how the projected 12-team College Football Playoff field and matchups stack up heading into late October.