What Would the CFP Look Like Using Only BCS Rankings, No Auto Bids?

Quarterfinal Matchups

• No. 12 SMU/No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Texas
• No. 11 Alabama/No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 3 Notre Dame
• No. 10 Arizona State/No. 7 Tennessee vs. No. 2 Georgia
• No. 9 Boise State/No. 8 Indiana vs. No. 1 Oregon

2 Seed: Georgia Bulldogs (11-2)

Simulated BCS Rank: 2

CFP Committee Rank: 2

First Round: Idle

Quarterfinals: Winner of Arizona State vs. Tennessee

3 Seed: Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1)

Simulated BCS Rank: 3

CFP Committee Rank: 5

First Round: Idle

Quarterfinals: Winner of Alabama vs. Penn State

4 Seed: Texas Longhorns (11-2)

Simulated BCS Rank: 4

CFP Committee Rank: 3

First Round: Idle

Quarterfinals: Winner of SMU vs. Ohio State

5 Seed: Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2)

Simulated BCS Rank: 5 

CFP Committee Rank: 6

First Round: vs. SMU

Quarterfinals (with win): vs. Texas

6 Seed: Penn State Nittany Lions (11-2)

Simulated BCS Rank: 6

CFP Committee Rank: 4

First Round: vs. Alabama

Quarterfinals (with win): vs. Notre Dame

7 Seed: Tennessee Volunteers (10-2)

Simulated BCS Rank: 7

CFP Committee Rank: 7

First Round: vs. Arizona State

Quarterfinals (with win): vs. Georgia

8 Seed: Indiana Hoosiers (11-1)

Simulated BCS Rank: 8

CFP Committee Rank: 8

First Round: vs. Boise State

Quarterfinals (with win): vs. Oregon

9 Seed: Boise State Broncos (12-1)

Simulated BCS Rank: 9

CFP Committee Rank: 9

First Round: vs. Indiana

Quarterfinals (with win): vs. Oregon

10 Seed: Arizona State Sun Devils (11-2)

Simulated BCS Rank: 10

CFP Committee Rank: 12

First Round: vs. Tennessee

Quarterfinals (with win) vs. Georgia

11 Seed: Alabama Crimson Tide (9-3)

Simulated BCS Rank: 11

CFP Committee Rank: 11

First Round: vs. Penn State

Quarterfinals (with win): vs. Notre Dame

12 Seed: SMU Mustangs (11-2)

Simulated BCS Rank: 12 

CFP Committee Rank: 10

First Round: vs. Ohio State

Quarterfinals (with win): vs. Texas

First Round Byes

• No. 1 Oregon
• No. 2 Georgia
• No. 3 Notre Dame
• No. 4 Texas

First Round Matchup

• No. 12 SMU vs. No. 5 Ohio State
• No. 11 Alabama vs. No. 6 Penn State
• No. 10 Arizona State vs. No. 7 Tennessee
• No. 9 Boise State vs. No. 8 Indiana

Quarterfinal Matchups

• No. 12 SMU/No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Texas
• No. 11 Alabama/No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 3 Notre Dame
• No. 10 Arizona State/No. 7 Tennessee vs. No. 2 Georgia
• No. 9 Boise State/No. 8 Indiana vs. No. 1 Oregon