Week 8 of the college football season lived up to the hype and came with plenty of reactions following a variety of different finishes. Reactions that are worthy of a different perspective when looking at the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
The new CFP has made every week matter even more during the college football season. As teams and fanbases can now constantly track their odds of making it to the postseason and having a shot at competing for a national championship.
CBS Sports recently updated their projection of how the 12-team College Football Playoff will look, making some massive changes following Week 8’s action. Check out their projected playoff bracket along with matchups for each bowl game below.
After being ranked as a No. 7 seed in the CBS projection last week, Georgia skyrockets up the rankings as the No. 1 team following their big win over the weekend. Defeating top-ranked Texas 30-15 on the road in one of the most impressive performances of the season.
Georgia entered the season as the top-ranked team in the country and now sits at No. 2 behind Oregon in the most recent AP Poll. But an SEC title win would almost certainly solidify the Bulldogs as the top-ranked team in the College Football Playoff Rankings heading into the postseason.
Ohio State remains the No. 2 seed after not playing this week thanks to a bye. Still projected by CBS to win the Big Ten Conference despite losing to Oregon 32-31 on the road in Week 7.
It’s hard to beat a team twice, and it’s clear that CBS believes the Ducks will not be able to do so if they do meet the Buckeyes again for a conference title. As Ohio State still easily possesses one of the best rosters top to bottom in college football.
Miami also remains firmly in the top four as projected ACC title winners following yet another shootout win. Defeating Louisville this weekend in a 52-45 win on the road that represents their fourth 50-plus point scoring outing of the season.
There’s no question that the Hurricanes have had their fair share of close calls since opening up conference play. But college football’s passing yards and touchdowns leader Cam Ward looks like he can elevate Miami to new heights each and every week.
Like Miami, Iowa State battled some adversity this weekend when they faced off against UCF. With quarterback Rocco Becht scoring the go-ahead touchdown on a quarterback sneak with 30 seconds left to secure a 38-35 win.
The Cyclones are one of the few undefeated teams in the country, but one of two in the Big 12. A conference that’s proven to be unpredictable throughout the season with the addition of various new teams.
Oregon’s dominant win over Purdue and Boise State having a bye week didn’t change CBS’ outlook on this potential first round playoff matchup. A regular season rematch after the Ducks were able to win a close 37-34 game at home in Week 2 over the Broncos.
Both teams will be tested in Week 8 as Boise State faces UNLV in a Mountain West title rematch and Oregon hosts No. 20 Illinois. But there’s no doubt that both control their destiny moving forward with Oregon ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll and the Broncos representing the highest-ranked Group of Five team in the nation.
No. 9 BYU at No. 8 Alabama (-2)
After Alabama suffered their second loss of the season to Tennessee this weekend, CBS dropped the Crimson Tide just two spots in their projected bracket. Hosting a BYU team that’s currently undefeated with their sights set on a Big 12 title.
Alabama is currently ranked outside of the top 12 of the AP Poll and would need to run the table to have a remote chance of making the postseason. Something that would surely be hard for Crimson Tide fans to fathom while a Cougars CFP appearance would be widely celebrated.
Texas and Texas A&M squaring off to end the regular season is one of the best parts of the Longhorns joining the SEC. But CBS believes that they will square off twice this season after not facing off since 2011 before the Aggies left the Big 12.
After being at the top of the rankings, the Longhorns dropped five spots following their first loss of the season. Meanwhile, Texas A&M remains one of two teams in the SEC still undefeated in conference play following a win at Mississippi State.
A fascinating matchup rounds out CBS’ first-round playoff projections with Clemson visiting Happy Valley to take on Penn State. A matchup that would represent just the second time both programs have ever faced off following a 1988 meeting in the Citrus Bowl.
Penn State had a bye in Week 8 but remains undefeated ahead of a road matchup against Wisconsin this weekend. While Clemson has looked brand new and has been on a roll with six straight wins following a disappointing Week 1 loss to Georgia.
Remaining Postseason Bowl Projections after playoff
Jan. 4
Bahamas Bowl: Jacksonville State vs. Bowling Green
Jan 3.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Louisville vs. Michigan
First Responder Bowl: Navy vs. Georgia Southern
Jan. 2
Gator Bowl: SMU vs. Tennessee
Dec. 31
Texas Bowl: Texas Tech vs. LSU
Citrus Bowl: Indiana vs. Missouri
Sun Bowl: Syracuse vs. Arizona
ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa vs. Ole Miss
Dec. 30
Music City Bowl: Illinois vs. Arkansas
Dec. 28
Independence Bowl: Army vs. Oregon State
Alamo Bowl: Kansas State vs. Washington State
Military Bowl: Boston College vs. Memphis
Arizona Bowl: Fresno State vs. Toledo
Pop-Tarts Bowl: Notre Dame vs. TCU
New Mexico Bowl: San Diego State vs. North Texas
Pinstripe Bowl:Â Pittsburgh vs. Wisconsin
Fenway Bowl: NC State vs. South Florida
Dec. 27
Las Vegas Bowl:Â South Carolina vs. Colorado
Holiday Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Utah
Liberty Bowl: West Virginia vs. Vanderbilt
Birmingham Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. North Carolina
Armed Forces Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Tulane
Dec. 26
68 Ventures Bowl: Buffalo vs. Arkansas State
Guaranteed Rate Bowl:Â Arizona State vs. Nebraska
Detroit Bowl: Michigan State vs. Eastern Michigan
Dec. 24
Hawaii Bowl: Louisiana-Monroe vs. Sam Houston State
Dec. 23
Idaho Potato Bowl: Ohio vs. Colorado State
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Liberty vs. James Madison
Dec. 20
Gasparilla Bowl:Â South Alabama vs. Duke
Cure Bowl: East Carolina vs. Marshall
Dec. 19
New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Louisiana
Dec. 18
Los Angeles Bowl:Â UNLVÂ vs. USC
Boca Raton Bowl:Â Miami (OH)Â vs. Georgia Tech
Dec. 17
Frisco Bowl: Texas State vs. Northern Illinois
Dec. 14
Camellia Bowl: UConn vs. Western Michigan
