Projection
College Football Playoff
If the playoff started today — 12-Team Format · Based on current rankings
Automatic Qualifiers
4 Power 4 Champions · Top G6 Team · Notre Dame if Top 12
7-0
7-0
7-0
6-2
6-1
7-1
2026 Automatic Qualifier Rules
• ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 & SEC champions each earn an automatic bid
• Highest-ranked G6 team earns an automatic bid regardless of conference title
• Notre Dame earns an automatic bid if ranked in the top 12
• ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 & SEC champions each earn an automatic bid
• Highest-ranked G6 team earns an automatic bid regardless of conference title
• Notre Dame earns an automatic bid if ranked in the top 12
At-Large Bids
Highest-ranked teams not already auto-qualified
6-1
6-2
7-1
6-1
7-1
6-1
First Round Byes
Seeds 1–4 · Advance directly to quarterfinalsFirst Round Games
Seeds 5–12 · Higher seed hosts at homeGame 1
#12
Away
James Madison
7-1
VS
#5
Host
LSU
6-2
Game 2
#11
Away
Georgia
6-1
VS
#6
Host
Alabama
6-2
Game 3
#10
Away
Indiana
7-1
VS
#7
Host
Kentucky
7-1
Game 4
#9
Away
Notre Dame
6-1
VS
#8
Host
Wake Forest
6-1
Conference Breakdown
Teams per conference in the field
ACC
2 teams
Big Ten
3 teams
Big XII
1 team
SEC
4 teams
Independent
1 team
Sun Belt
1 team
* Projection based on current computer rankings
* Automatic qualifiers: 4 Power 4 champions + highest-ranked G6 team + Notre Dame if top 12
* Seeds 1–4 determined by overall ranking regardless of champion status — receive first-round byes
* Seeds 5–12 play first round on the home field of the higher-ranked team
* Automatic qualifiers: 4 Power 4 champions + highest-ranked G6 team + Notre Dame if top 12
* Seeds 1–4 determined by overall ranking regardless of champion status — receive first-round byes
* Seeds 5–12 play first round on the home field of the higher-ranked team