Projecting the CFP Bracket Based on the Coaches Poll After Week 1

8. Oregon vs. Notre Dame

The final first-round matchup would pit the eighth-seeded Oregon Ducks against the ninth-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon statistically controlled their opening game against Idaho but failed to put away the Vandals and earned an uncomfortable 24-14 victory. They’ll look to rebound quickly as they host Boise State and star running back Ashton Jeanty in Week 2. Notre Dame won at Texas A&M 23-13 in primetime in Week 1, and they have a schedule that sets up incredibly well for an 11-1 or even 12-0 record. That would almost certainly push Notre Dame to a home first-round game (remember, Notre Dame cannot get a bye in this system). Still, for now, they would go to Oregon in round one, and the winner would face Georgia in the quarterfinals.

Odds to Make CFP: Oregon (-310)/Notre Dame (-390)

2. Ohio State Buckeyes - Big Ten Champion

The Ohio State Buckeyes stay at No. 2 in the Coaches Poll and earn the Big Ten’s automatic bid in the expanded College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes blasted Akron 52-6 and were very good in the second half after a shaky first 30 minutes. The offense could have been a bit more impressive, while the defense looked, as expected, excellent. The Buckeyes will not be challenged until October 5, when they take on Iowa, followed by their trip to Oregon.

Ohio State Odds to Make CFP: -750

3. Utah Utes - Big 12 Champion

The Utah Utes are ranked 11th in the Coaches Poll but have moved up to the projected No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff bracket. The Utes would earn the Big 12’s automatic bid and bye, and they are now ranked higher than any team in the ACC. The Utes welcomed Cam Rising back to the lineup at quarterback and shut out Southern Utah 49-0 in Week 1. Utah now plays Baylor and Utah State before a critical showdown with Oklahoma State on September 21.

Utah Odds to Make CFP: +180

4. Miami Hurricanes - ACC Champion

The most significant change in the Coaches Poll and the projected College Football Playoff bracket is in the ACC, as Miami moved up to No. 15 and Florida State fell down the elevator shaft and out of the polls. The Hurricanes were incredibly impressive in Week 1, hammering the Florida Gators in The Swamp, and quarterback Cam Ward showed he can be a significant difference-maker and Heisman Trophy contender. Miami is now the clear favorite in the ACC, a league that appears to be a one-bid league. They would be the fourth seed and would play the winner of the five-seed versus the 12th seed.

Miami Odds to Make CFP: +100

5. Texas Longhorns vs. 12. Memphis Tigers (G5 Auto-Bid)

The Texas Longhorns are ranked third in the Coaches Poll but slide in as the five-seed in the College Football Playoff bracket. The Longhorns shut out Colorado State in Week 1 and looked great in the dominant victory. They now travel to Michigan for a massive Week 2 showdown in the Big House. This is a perfect spot for Texas, even though they miss out on a first-round bye. They host the unranked Memphis Tigers, the Group of Five qualifiers as the top-ranked G5 squad, and the winner would battle Miami on a neutral field.

Odds to Make CFP: Texas -230/Memphis +500

6. Alabama vs. 11. Michigan

The fourth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide have moved up a bit in the Coaches Poll, and they will get the six-seed in this projected College Football Playoff bracket. The Crimson Tide won Kalen DeBoer’s first game in charge in Tuscaloosa in shutout fashion over Western Kentucky. They now take on South Florida before an interesting trip to Wisconsin. The Crimson Tide would host the 11-seed in a rematch of last season’s Rose Bowl: the Michigan Wolverines. Michigan’s offense was shaky in their opener over Fresno State. The Bulldogs had a chance to pull within six in the fourth quarter before Will Johnson’s pick-six ended the game. UM does not appear confident in a quarterback on the roster, and they got next to nothing from their wide receivers. The Wolverines host Texas in a real “show-me” game for both sides.

Odds to Make CFP: Alabama (-130)/Michigan (+210)

7. Ole Miss vs. 10. Penn State Nittany Lions

The Ole Miss Rebels moved up one spot in the Coaches Poll as they waxed Furman 72-0 in Week 1. That pushes the Rebels up to the seventh seed, and they would host the tenth-seeded Penn State Nittany Lions. Ole Miss cruised past the overmatched Paladins, and that dominance should continue in Week 2 as they take on Middle Tennessee, Wake Forest, and Georgia Southern in the next three weeks. Penn State has to feel pretty good about things after a comfortable win at West Virginia. The offense showed efficiency and some explosion in the passing game under their new offensive coordinator, and the defense shut down West Virginia’s rushing attack. This game would be in Oxford and a rematch of last season’s Peach Bowl.

Odds to Make CFP: Ole Miss (-145)/Penn State (-210)

8. Oregon vs. Notre Dame

The final first-round matchup would pit the eighth-seeded Oregon Ducks against the ninth-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon statistically controlled their opening game against Idaho but failed to put away the Vandals and earned an uncomfortable 24-14 victory. They’ll look to rebound quickly as they host Boise State and star running back Ashton Jeanty in Week 2. Notre Dame won at Texas A&M 23-13 in primetime in Week 1, and they have a schedule that sets up incredibly well for an 11-1 or even 12-0 record. That would almost certainly push Notre Dame to a home first-round game (remember, Notre Dame cannot get a bye in this system). Still, for now, they would go to Oregon in round one, and the winner would face Georgia in the quarterfinals.

Odds to Make CFP: Oregon (-310)/Notre Dame (-390)