As the college football season progresses, the anticipation builds for the unveiling of the new 12-team playoff bracket. The committee responsible for determining the rankings will reveal the first set of weekly rankings on Tuesday evening, with Oregon expected to secure the top spot after being undefeated and holding the No. 1 position in the latest AP Top 25 poll.
While wins and losses are crucial factors, the committee emphasizes that strength of schedule will also play a significant role in ranking teams. This approach could potentially see teams with one loss, such as Ohio State and Georgia, ranked higher than undefeated teams like Miami, BYU, and Indiana.
This year marks a significant change in the college football playoff system, expanding from four to 12 teams. The decision to expand was influenced by the addition of eight more games, which were sold to ESPN for a staggering $7.8 billion.
A committee of 13 members will evaluate the results from the first 10 weeks of the season and rank teams from 1 to 25. These rankings are provisional until the final poll on December 8, when teams will be placed in the bracket based on their ranking.
The top five conference champions are guaranteed playoff spots, with the top four receiving first-round byes. Additionally, there are seven at-large selections, allowing flexibility in team selection.
Notable teams like Oregon, Notre Dame, and Indiana are closely watched as the rankings are unveiled. Oregon's dominant performances and victory over Ohio State make them a strong contender for the top spot. Notre Dame's independent status and Indiana's undefeated record raise questions about their playoff potential.
Once the bracket is finalized on December 8, the playoff structure unfolds with first-round games hosted by seeds five through eight against seeds nine through 12. Subsequent rounds will be played in traditional bowl games, leading up to the championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20.
College football enthusiasts can stay updated on the AP Top 25 rankings throughout the season for the latest developments in the playoff race.
