College Football Playoff Bracket and Rankings: The Exciting 2024 Season
The College Football Playoff (CFP) has officially expanded to a 12-team format for the 2024 season, bringing a new level of excitement and competition to the world of college football. The expanded field means more teams have a shot at the national championship, and the selection process has become even more thrilling1.
Key Changes in the 2024 CFP Format
The new format includes automatic bids for the top four conference champions, who are seeded 1-4 regardless of their ranking. The remaining eight spots are filled by at-large bids and the next highest-ranked conference champions1. This ensures that at least one Group of 5 team makes the field, adding diversity to the playoff mix.
Final Rankings and Bracket Reveal
The final CFP rankings were revealed on Sunday, December 8, 2024, with the bracket set to kick off on December 20, 2024. Here’s a look at the projected 12-team field:
- Oregon (13-0) – The only undefeated team in the FBS, clinching the top seed.
- Georgia (11-2) – Secured a spot after a signature upset against Texas in the SEC Championship Game.
- Boise State (12-1) – The favorite in the Group of 5, winning the Mountain West title.
- Arizona State (11-2) – Dominated in the Big 12 Championship Game.
- Notre Dame (11-1) – Benefited from Penn State’s loss to Oregon.
- Texas (11-2) – Despite losing to Georgia, remains in the top 6.
- Ohio State (10-2) – Despite a loss to Michigan, still in good position.
- Penn State (11-1) – Played well against Oregon but fell short.
- Tennessee (10-2) – Likely to be on the road in the first round.
- Indiana (11-1) – One of college football’s most potent offenses.
- SMU (11-2) – Made a strong case with a comeback against Clemson.
- Clemson (10-3) – Secured a spot with a game-winning field goal.
First-Round Matchups
The first round of playoff games will begin on December 20, 2024, with matchups including:
- No. 12 Clemson vs. No. 5 Notre Dame
- No. 11 SMU vs. No. 6 Texas
- No. 10 Indiana vs. No. 7 Ohio State
- No. 9 Tennessee vs. No. 8 Penn State
The winners of these games will advance to the quarterfinals, where they will face the top four seeds who received byes.
Conclusion
The expansion of the College Football Playoff to a 12-team format has brought a new level of excitement and opportunity to the sport. With more teams in the mix, the competition is fiercer, and the path to the national championship is more unpredictable. Fans can look forward to an exhilarating playoff season filled with thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments.
