CBS Sports projects 12-team College Football Playoff field ahead of Week 5

Last week saw six ranked games that undoubtedly had some College Football Playoff implications. But with the 12-team CFP looming next year, it’s interesting to think about what impact those games would have under the new format.

CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm projected the 12-team College Football Playoff field, and while the top four didn’t change, the other eight teams changed a bit. The four highest-ranked conference champions receive a bye while the other two highest-ranked champions — along with six at-large teams — will square off in the first round of the new format, which kicks in next year.

Conversations are still ongoing about how the 12-team model could change after conference realignment. But as things stand now, CBS Sports’ projections would certainly draw plenty of attention with some notable matchups.

No. 1 Georgia | Bye

As the quest for a three-peat continues, Georgia once again left no room for doubt last week against UAB. The Bulldogs cruised past the Blazers 49-10 thanks to huge performances from Carson Beck and Brock Bowers.

Kirby Smart’s group seems like a shoo-in so far under the current CFP model, but UGA would likely be a virtual lock under the 12-team College Football Playoff format. The Bulldogs take their 4-0 record into their first road game of the year when they head to Auburn on Sept. 30.

No. 2 Michigan | Bye

Michigan looked just fine without Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines and didn’t miss a beat when he came back against Rutgers. The Wolverines pulled off a 31-7 victory at The Big House thanks to a well-rounded offensive performance.

J.J. McCarthy looked solid once again at quarterback as he completed 15 of 21 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown, but the running game was the key against Rutgers. Blake Corum had 97 yards and two touchdowns to lead the way and help Michigan improve to 4-0 heading into this week’s matchup with Nebraska.

No. 3 Florida State | Bye

For the second straight week, it wasn’t easy for Florida State to pull off a victory. It took overtime this time against Clemson, but the Seminoles pulled it off on a Keon Coleman touchdown to get the 31-24 victory.

FSU has its sights set on not only an ACC title, but the first CFP appearance under Mike Norvell. While the Seminoles fell out of the top four of this week’s AP Top 25, they’d still be squarely in the mix of a 12-team College Football Playoff format.

No. 4 Texas | Bye

Texas continues to get it done on both sides of the football as the Longhorns make their CFP case. This week showed just that as they went into Baylor and handled the Bears with ease in the 38-6 victory.

Quinn Ewers continues to make his case to be a Heisman favorite and looked the part last week once again. He completed 18 of 23 passes for 293 yards and a touchdown to lead the offense, and he’ll have a Big 12 test coming up this week against No. 24 Kansas.

No. 12 Tulane at No. 5 Ohio State | Winner plays Texas

The game of Week 4 took place in South Bend as Ohio State stunned Notre Dame 17-14 on a last-second touchdown by Chip Trayanum. That victory propelled the Buckeyes into the top four of the AP poll, and they’ll have opportunities to add to their CFP case in the coming weeks — most notably on Oct. 21 against Penn State.

As for Tulane, the Green Wave is now 3-1 after a victory over Nicholls State this week. While not in the four-team CFP picture, Willie Fritz’s group would have a strong chance of cracking the 12-team College Football Playoff field in CBS Sports’ projection.

No. 11 Notre Dame at No. 6 USC | Winner plays Florida State

Both Notre Dame and USC find themselves in the CFP conversation, albeit in different ways. The Fighting Irish’s chances took a hit with the loss to Ohio State while the Trojans possess one of college football’s highest-powered offenses and still have a Heisman contender in Caleb Williams.

CBS Sports’ 12-team College Football Playoff projection has the two rivals squaring off on one of the game’s biggest stages. Fans will see this matchup on Oct. 14 when USC heads to Notre Dame Stadium for a showdown filled with postseason implications.

No. 10 Utah at No. 7 Penn State | Winner plays Michigan

Penn State’s annual White Out game was a major success as the Nittany Lions shut out a struggling Iowa offense to move up to No. 6 in the AP poll. The Nittany Lions won’t make things easy in the Big Ten East as they play spoiler, but their chances of making the four-team field might rest in their ability to make the conference title game.

Under the 12-team College Football Playoff model, though, CBS Sports projects PSU to face one of the nation’s most interesting teams in Utah. The Utes bring a 4-0 record into this week’s game against Oregon State and have done so without Cameron Rising, which could mean big things once he returns from injury.

No. 9 Oregon at No. 8 Washington | Winner plays Georgia

Two future Big Ten foes are atop the Pac-12 this season with Heisman contenders at the center of the conversation. Oregon and Washington are two of the most exciting teams in the country, and CBS Sports’ projection would give fans across the country a good look at both programs with a national title on the line.

The Ducks handled Colorado with ease this past week thanks to a big game from Bo Nix while Michael Penix Jr. once again led Washington to a blowout victory over Cal. The two programs won’t face off during the regular season, but now that the Pac-12 no longer has divisions, they could find themselves battling for a conference title before joining the Big Ten.

This year will be the last with the four-team CFP as a new 12-team model awaits. It’s still not entirely clear what that model will look like, based on this week’s meetings in Chicago, but the current 6+6 format would create some exciting matchups based on CBS Sports’ projections.