College football playoff predictions highlight an exciting shift as new SEC powerhouse programs enter the mix. Show up or get shown out. That’s the motto heading into November.
Iowa State stands at 7-0 for the first time since 1938, while Indiana boasts an 8-0 record for only the second time since 1967. BYU shares a similar fate with an 8-0 record, marking its best start since 1990, and Army is also 8-0 for the first time since 1996. Each of these programs has the potential to finish the season undefeated, including the Hoosiers, who are set to face Ohio State on November 23 in the iconic Shoe.
Remarkably, Vanderbilt has achieved its first top 25 ranking since 2013, and Boise State features a standout tailback who could challenge Barry Sanders’ legendary single-season rushing record of 2,628 yards. Typically, stories like these would simply be interesting narratives — reminiscent of UCF’s perfect season in 2017 or TCU’s undefeated run in 2010. Both teams finished their seasons unbeaten and won in a New Year’s Six Bowl, yet neither had the chance to compete for a national title in the Bowl Championship Series or College Football Playoff era.
However, this season marks a turning point.
At least one of these teams—Iowa State, Indiana, BYU, or Army—will secure a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) if they complete the regular season without a loss. The most likely candidates are BYU or Iowa State, who may face off for the first time this season in the Big 12 Championship Game, potentially claiming one of the four highest-ranked champion spots. This is particularly notable in a season where traditional powerhouses like Alabama have stumbled, Florida State has struggled, and teams such as Oklahoma and USC have underperformed.
With that context, let’s examine the latest CFP projections:
1. Oregon
Conference: Big Ten
Record: 8-0
2. Georgia
Conference: SEC
Record: 6-1
3. Miami (Fla.)
Conference: ACC
Record: 8-0
4. Iowa State
Conference: Big 12
Record: 7-0
5. Ohio State
Conference: Big Ten
Record: 6-1
6. Penn State
Conference: Big Ten
Record: 7-0
7. Texas
Conference: SEC
Record: 7-1
8. Clemson
Conference: ACC
Record: 6-1
9. BYU
Conference: Big 12
Record: 8-0
10. Texas A&M
Conference: SEC
Record: 7-1
11. Tennessee
Conference: SEC
Record: 6-1
12. Boise State
Conference: Mountain West
Record: 6-1
1. Oregon: Bye (would then play the winner of 8. Clemson vs. 9. BYU)
2. Georgia: Bye (would then play the winner of 7. Texas vs. 10. Texas A&M)
3. Miami: Bye (would then play the winner of 6. Penn State vs. 11. Tennessee)
4. Iowa State: Bye (would then play the winner of 5. Ohio State vs. 12. Boise State)
5. Ohio State (Big Ten championship runner-up) vs. 12. Boise State (highest-ranked Group of 5 champion)
This matchup features the standout tailback Ashton Jeanty from Boise State, who leads the nation with 1,376 rushing yards this season, challenging TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, who form perhaps the most talented backfield in college football. Jeanty rushed for 192 yards against Oregon, the consensus No. 1 team, setting the stage for an electrifying clash with the Buckeyes.
Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty leads the country with 1,376 rushing yards this season. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)
6. Penn State (one of the top-12 teams) vs. 11. Tennessee (one of the top-12 teams)
If Ohio State has the best set of tailbacks in the sport, then Penn State boasts a formidable duo in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. This partnership has propelled Penn State to a 7-0 start, while Tennessee counters with Dylan Sampson, the leading tailback in the SEC, who rushed for over 100 yards in a significant victory against Alabama.
7. Texas (one of the top-12 teams) vs. 10. Texas A&M (one of the top-12 teams)
This matchup stands out as one of the most anticipated in this projected CFP field. The Longhorns and Aggies will meet for the first time since 2011, with significant implications for the SEC Championship Game on the line. Mike Elko’s Aggies remain undefeated in SEC play as November approaches.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers completed 17 straight passes in its win over Vanderbilt. (Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images)
8. Clemson (ACC championship runner-up) vs. 9. BYU (Big 12 championship runner-up)
Clemson, after suffering a tough loss to Georgia at the season’s start, has since dominated its schedule. Meanwhile, BYU’s 8-0 start is only its second occurrence since 1990. This matchup could see explosive offenses led by quarterbacks Cade Klubnik and Jake Retzlaff, potentially resulting in a high-scoring affair.
Cade Klubnik has led Clemson to a 6-1 record this season. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
