NCAAF · 1 hour ago

12-Team College Football Playoff Bracket Based on the AP Poll Going Into Week 9

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

You Tell Us! Does the AP Poll Match Your 2026 CFP Bracket?
Join the AP Bracket 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 BIG TEN BYE SQUEEZE: Does Indiana (7-1) deserve the 1st-round bye over Notre Dame (6-1) by virtue of their historic overtime win at Michigan?
  
  SCALLEY'S UTES AT #6: Are Morgan Scalley's 7-0 Utah Utes getting enough national respect as the premier host behind the bye tier?
- FIRST-ROUND HEARTBREAK: Did the selection rules do Ole Miss dirty by bumping them out of the field at AP #12 to accommodate Boise State's auto-bid?
Drop your hot takes and playoff bracket in the comments!
College Football Playoff Based on AP Poll
AP Bracketology: Projecting the 12-Team College Football Playoff Field Based on the Latest AP Poll (Heading Into Week 9)

Eight weeks of the 2026 college football season are officially in the books, and Week 8 completely remade the national championship race! Between BYU suffering a heartbreaking double-overtime shocker at UCF, Indiana snapping a 59-year curse in Ann Arbor by edging Michigan in extra time, Texas revitalizing its postseason hopes with a shootout win over Ole Miss, and Miami lighting up the scoreboard in South Florida, the AP Top 25 underwent an enormous 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 titles or Independent status. Meanwhile, the highest-ranked Group of 6 champion earns an automatic bid to the dance, which belongs to No. 20 Boise State (6-1) following their 31-10 road rout of Washington State. That mandatory auto-bid bumps AP #12 Ole Miss (5-2, 871 points) just outside the projected 12-team field.

Converting the latest Week 9 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 (6-1)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 12 Seed) – Highest Group of 6 Representative (AP No. 20)

Under College Football Playoff protocols, the highest-ranked Group of 6 champion guarantees an automatic bid into the 12-team field. That ticket belongs to Spencer Danielson’s Boise State Broncos, who climb to #20 in the AP Poll with 422 points. Boise State dominated Week 8 on the road, dismantling Washington State 31-10 in Pullman. Workhorse tailback Dylan Riley was unstoppable, racking up 128 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, while Rasean Jones caught five passes for 69 yards. The Broncos average 444.3 total yards per game and 237.9 rushing yards per game (scoring 34.4 PPG), making them a dangerous opening-round giant killer.
11. Texas Longhorns (5-2)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 11 Seed) – AP No. 11

Steve Sarkisian's Texas Longhorns make the loudest leap of the week, surging eight spots to #11 in the AP Poll with 966 points. Texas saved its postseason hopes in Austin, knocking off No. 7 Ole Miss 34-27 in a thriller. Tailback Raleek Brown exploded for 157 rushing yards on 23 carries, while wideout Ryan Wingo had seven catches for 111 yards and a score. The Longhorns' defense surrenders just 285.4 total yards per game and 19.1 points per game, giving Texas the final at-large seed.
10. Alabama Crimson Tide (6-2)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 10 Seed) – AP No. 10

Kalen DeBoer's Alabama Crimson Tide climb three spots to #10 in the AP Poll with 1,063 points after bouncing back with a crucial 31-20 win over Texas A&M in Tuscaloosa. Quarterback Keelon Russell put on an aerial clinic, throwing for 311 yards and three touchdowns (19/30) while connecting with wideout Rico Scott for six catches and 156 yards. Alabama averages 411.9 total yards per game and 38.3 points per game, bringing high-stakes big-game pedigree to the road wildcard bracket.
9. Kentucky Wildcats (7-1)
1st-Round Road Game (No. 9 Seed) – AP No. 9

Head coach Will Stein has the Kentucky Wildcats surging, vaulting three spots to #9 in the AP Poll with 1,185 points. Kentucky took care of business on the road in Week 8, pulling away for a 34-17 win over Vanderbilt. Running back Jovantae Barnes led the ground attack with 68 rushing yards on 15 carries. Standing at 7-1 (5-1 in the SEC), Stein's physical, ball-control style and stout defense make Kentucky a brutal opening-round road draw.
8. BYU Cougars (6-1)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 8 Seed) – AP No. 8

Kalani Sitake’s BYU Cougars slide six spots to #8 in the AP Poll with 1,325 points after suffering their first heartbreak of the fall—a 39-31 double-overtime loss at UCF. Even with the setback in Orlando, BYU's marquee Week 7 victory over Notre Dame keeps them inside the top eight. Powered by dual-threat quarterback Bear Bachmeier and a defense giving up 18.6 points per game, the Cougars lock down the final on-campus hosting seed.
7. UCLA Bruins (7-0)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 7 Seed) – AP No. 7

The unblemished UCLA Bruins continue their dream season, climbing to #7 in the AP Poll with 1,398 points. UCLA handled business in Week 8, pulling away for a 28-10 victory over Michigan State to move to 7-0 (5-0 in Big Ten play). Quarterback Ty Dieffenbach was poised (18/31, 198 YDS, 1 TD), Anthony Woods rushed for 112 yards and a score on 14 carries, and Brian Rowe Jr. caught a 74-yard touchdown pass. Producing 445.4 total yards per game (233.0 rushing yards per game) with a defense surrendering just 15.3 points per game and 272.9 total yards per game, UCLA earns an opening-round hosting date at the Rose Bowl.
6. Utah Utes (7-0)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 6 Seed) – AP No. 6

Head coach Morgan Scalley has the Utah Utes rolling, leaping four spots to #6 in the AP Poll with 1,413 points (and one first-place vote). Utah stayed undefeated at 7-0 (4-0 in Big 12 play) by turning back No. 14 Houston 21-13 in Salt Lake City. Dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier took over on the ground, rushing for 150 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries to put the game away. Averaging 478.4 total yards per game (221.0 rushing yards per game) and 37.4 points per game while allowing just 14.6 points per game, Scalley's squad secures a 1st-round home game at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-1)
1st-Round Home Game (No. 5 Seed) – AP No. 5

Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish sit at #5 in the AP Poll with 1,458 points, claiming the premier opening-round hosting ticket. Resting up on their Week 8 bye, the Irish feature the #1 total defense in all of FBS, yielding a microscopic 235.0 total yards per game (167.7 passing, 67.3 rushing) and just 13.4 points per game. Driven by quarterback CJ Carr and an offense producing 41.1 points per game, South Bend gets set to host December playoff football.
4. Indiana Hoosiers (7-1)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 4

Curt Cignetti’s defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers rocket into the bye tier, climbing to #4 in the AP Poll with 1,459 points. Indiana made history in Week 8, securing a gritty 13-6 overtime victory at Michigan for their first win at the Big House since 1967! Playing through pain, quarterback Josh Hoover scored the game-winning touchdown run in overtime, while Turbo Richard ground out 68 rushing yards on 19 carries. The Hoosiers feature the #1 scoring defense among Power 4 programs, allowing an absurd 12.0 points per game (96 total points allowed) and 264.8 total yards per game. Under straight-seeding protocols, Indiana edges Notre Dame by a single AP point to capture the final 1st-round bye.
3. Georgia Bulldogs (6-1)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 3

Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs lock down the #3 seed, vaulting two spots to #3 in the AP Poll with 1,511 points. Georgia rested on a Week 8 bye, sitting at 6-1, with their resume anchored by a massive Week 6 road triumph over Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Behind quarterback Gunner Stockton, the Bulldogs average 469.9 total yards per game and 43.0 points per game, while their defense surrenders 15.9 points per game and 276.4 total yards per game, securing a top-three seed and opening-round rest.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 2

Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes claim the #2 seed after climbing to #2 in the AP Poll with 1,681 points and 10 first-place votes. The Buckeyes enjoyed a well-timed Week 8 bye, resting up following their physical 19-15 triumph over Indiana. Ohio State's attack generates 476.3 total yards per game and 39.3 points per game, while their suffocating defense surrenders just 13.4 points per game and 264.3 total yards per game. Holding one of the premier resumes in college football, Columbus takes a 1st-round bye.
1. Miami Hurricanes (7-0)
1st-Round Bye – AP No. 1

Mario Cristobal’s Miami Hurricanes hold down the undisputed #1 overall seed in college football with 1,735 points and 59 first-place votes in the AP Poll. Miami put on an absolute clinic in Week 8, demolishing Pittsburgh 52-23. Quarterback Darian Mensah was virtually unstoppable (31/37, 387 PASS YDS, 4 TD), feeding superstar wideout Malachi Toney for an explosive 16 catches, 194 yards, and three touchdowns while Javian Mallory ran for two scores. Miami paces the entire country in scoring offense at 49.0 points per game and total offense at 551.9 yards per game (340.7 passing yards per game). Backed by a defense allowing just 15.3 points per game and a microscopic 60.0 rushing yards per game, the Hurricanes secure the top seed and 1st-round postseason rest.
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 Notre Dame
  
  The Vibe: Dylan Riley (128 rush YDS, 2 TD in W8) and Boise State's physical ground attack travel into freezing South Bend to take on CJ Carr and Notre Dame's #1 total defense in America (235.0 YPG allowed).
- No. 11 Texas at No. 6 Utah
  
  The Vibe: An absolute war at Rice-Eccles Stadium. R. Brown (157 rush YDS in W8) and the Longhorns head into Salt Lake City to challenge Morgan Scalley, Devon Dampier (150 rush YDS, 2 TD in W8), and Utah's undefeated 7-0 defense.
- No. 10 Alabama at No. 7 UCLA
  
  The Vibe: A blueblood clash at the Rose Bowl. Keelon Russell (311 PASS YDS, 3 TD in W8) and Alabama's explosive passing game test Ty Dieffenbach, A. Woods, and an unblemished UCLA defense allowing just 15.3 points per game.
- No. 9 Kentucky at No. 8 BYU
  
  The Vibe: Physical trench football in freezing Provo. Head coach Will Stein takes his 7-1 Wildcats on the road to square off against Bear Bachmeier and a wounded BYU squad looking to bounce back from their double-overtime heartbreak.
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 Notre Dame winner vs. No. 4 Indiana
- No. 11 Texas / No. 6 Utah winner vs. No. 3 Georgia
- No. 10 Alabama / No. 7 UCLA winner vs. No. 2 Ohio State
- No. 9 Kentucky / No. 8 BYU winner vs. No. 1 Miami
You Tell Us! Does the AP Poll Match Your 2026 CFP Bracket?
Join the AP Bracket 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 BIG TEN BYE SQUEEZE: Does Indiana (7-1) deserve the 1st-round bye over Notre Dame (6-1) by virtue of their historic overtime win at Michigan?
  
  SCALLEY'S UTES AT #6: Are Morgan Scalley's 7-0 Utah Utes getting enough national respect as the premier host behind the bye tier?
- FIRST-ROUND HEARTBREAK: Did the selection rules do Ole Miss dirty by bumping them out of the field at AP #12 to accommodate Boise State's auto-bid?
Drop your hot takes and playoff bracket in the comments!
College Football Playoff Based on AP Poll
AP Bracketology: Projecting the 12-Team College Football Playoff Field Based on the Latest AP Poll (Heading Into Week 9)

Eight weeks of the 2026 college football season are officially in the books, and Week 8 completely remade the national championship race! Between BYU suffering a heartbreaking double-overtime shocker at UCF, Indiana snapping a 59-year curse in Ann Arbor by edging Michigan in extra time, Texas revitalizing its postseason hopes with a shootout win over Ole Miss, and Miami lighting up the scoreboard in South Florida, the AP Top 25 underwent an enormous 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 titles or Independent status. Meanwhile, the highest-ranked Group of 6 champion earns an automatic bid to the dance, which belongs to No. 20 Boise State (6-1) following their 31-10 road rout of Washington State. That mandatory auto-bid bumps AP #12 Ole Miss (5-2, 871 points) just outside the projected 12-team field.

Converting the latest Week 9 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.