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College Football Playoff Predictions: ESPN projects 12-team field after Week 3
ESPN projected the 12-team College Football Playoff field after Week 3 and there were some changes from last weekend.
The most notable change is a different team at the top. Texas is the new No. 1 team with another win and Georgia’s dicey win at Kentucky.
There were some shifts with conference favorites outside of the SEC too, providing some fascinating matchups.
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The four highest-ranked conference champions will receive byes, and the first-round games will all take place at campus sites. From there, the winners will advance to respective bowl games leading to the national championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20.
No. 1 Texas
The Longhorns might have the best quarterback situation in the country with Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. Manning subbed in for an injured Ewers and accounted for five touchdowns.
The latter might go this weekend and make his first career start. At this rate, Texas will just find ways to win. The biggest game of the year will be against Georgia in October, which very well could be an SEC title game rematch.
No. 2 Ohio State
Ohio State was inactive this past weekend but that didn’t change the fact the Buckeyes are the Big Ten favorites. It’s good enough for a No. 2 seed per ESPN’s playoff projections.
The offense and defense are loaded in what should be Ryan Day’s best team of his tenure. It’s just a matter of getting over the hump with a Big Ten title and advancement in the bracket.
No. 3 Miami
Miami rolled Ball State 62-0 over the weekend and Cam Ward looks like a bonafide Heisman favorite. The problem is, the third seed might be the peak for Miami in the playoff.
It’d be really tough to pass the SEC and Big Ten champion at this rate. But hey, you never know what might happen by the time the calendar hits November.
No. 4 Kansas State
The Wildcats dominated Arizona on Friday night and had a longer weekend. A ranked win and now this team looks like the best team in the Big 12.
So by that measure, they are the projected Big 12 champion and get a bye in the playoff. Although, Kansas State might be ways away from the top three seeds.
No. 12 Northern Illinois at No. 5 Georgia
Northern Illinois remains the best team in the Group of Five but since they’re the lowest ranked team in the playoff, they have to get the bottom seed. And yes, that gets you a matchup with Georgia.
Good grief, that’s a brutal draw, especially having to go to Athens. We have to imagine Georgia would really try to pour it on here to get a date with Kansas State in the quarterfinals.
No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oregon
Alabama rolled Wisconsin but are still the third best team in the SEC, which is bonkers to say. Don’t forget, these are playoff projections from ESPN so the crew clearly sees the rankings shaking out where the Crimson Tide will be behind Oregon.
Oregon is the projected Big Ten runner up, so does that mean one loss? Maybe two? Either way, Oregon hosting Alabama would be must-see TV.
No. 11 Missouri at No. 6 Ole Miss
An all-SEC matchup on campus, in the first round? Oh baby. Mizzou and Ole Miss don’t play each other in the regular season, but this would be a wild playoff matchup.
Eli Drinkwitz vs. Lane Kiffin? The pressers leading up, and possibly the social media trolling, will be off the charts.
No. 10 Penn State at No. 7 USC
Remember all the James Franklin to USC rumors? Well, he’s finally going to USC! Sort of. Penn State is still a projected playoff team, making it the fourth Big Ten team in the bracket.
Yes, fourth because USC is a Big Ten team remember? It’s hard to keep the Trojans out right now with the way they’ve played over the course of the early part of the season.
First Four Out
Tennessee
Oklahoma State
Oklahoma
Clemson
Next Four Out
Group of Five Power Rankings
1. Northern Illinois
2. Boise State
3. UNLV
4. Memphis
5. Toledo
The post College Football Playoff Predictions: ESPN projects 12-team field after Week 3 appeared first on On3.
This article was originally published by Nick Kosko at On3 – (https://www.on3.com/news/college-football-playoff-predictions-espn-projects-12-team-field-after-week-3/).
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