College Football Playoff: CBS Sports projects 12-team field, full bowl slate after Week 12

The college football regular season is almost over, and with that the College Football Playoff picture has never been more clear. Some of the top teams in the country have begun separating themselves, while other programs are clinging on to their CFP hopes.

Some notable outcomes this week include two marquee matchups in the SEC: Oklahoma defeated Alabama 23-21 on the road and Georgia beat Texas by three scores at home. Texas A&M was able to keep its undefeated season alive against South Carolina, while Notre Dame and USC both came out on top against top 25 opponents. USF’s loss to Navy also throws a wrench into the CFP race for teams in non-power conferences.

In turn, CBS Sports has shaken up their predictions for the College Football Playoff. Here are the updated projections, along with a projection list of every bowl game:

College Football Playoff First Round Game #1

No. 12 North Texas at No. 5 Texas Tech

Texas Tech became the team to beat in the Big 12 after defeating BYU last week. The Red Raiders improved to 10-1 after disposing of UCF with a 48-9 win against the Knights.

North Texas improved to 9-1 following its Week 12 win over UAb, 53-24. The Mean Green have played in two overtime games this season (both before October) and have won every other game by multiple possessions.

College Football Playoff First Round Game #2

No. 11 Georgia Tech at No. 6 Alabama

Alabama suffered its first defeat since the season opener with Saturday’s 23-21 loss to Oklahoma. However, the Crimson Tide are very much alive in the College Football Playoff race despite facing defeat.

Georgia Tech lost its first game during Week 11. Before that, the Yellow Jackets had won their first eight games of the season — Georgia Tech’s best start to a season since 1966.

College Football Playoff First Round Game #3

No. 10 Notre Dame at No. 7 Ole Miss

Ole Miss halted a Florida upset bid by outscoring the Gators 14-0 in the second half. The win improved the Rebels to 10-1 this season — the third 10-plus win season for Ole Miss under head coach Lane Kiffin. Still, the Rebels are seeking their first CFP under Kiffin’s leadership.

After starting the season 0-2, it was clear that Notre Dame had to win its next 10 games in the regular season to make the College Football Playoffs. They’re 80% there after beating a ranked Pitt team on the road Saturday.

College Football Playoff First Round Game #4

No. 9 Oklahoma at No. 8 Oregon

Oregon’s lone loss to Indiana last month is likely the only thing holding the Ducks back from moving up this list. However, they improved to 9-1 with a 42-13 win over Minnesota during Week 12 and are still viewed as one of the best teams in the country.

Oklahoma has pulled off consecutive road wins in two of the toughest places to play in the SEC: Neyland Stadium (Tennessee) and Bryant-Denny Stadium (Alabama). The Sooners will round out their schedule with two matchups at home vs. Missouri and LSU, respectively.

CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl

No. 1 Ohio State vs. TBA

The Buckeyes improved to 10-0 after a dominating 48-10 win over UCLA. Ohio State will take on Rutgers at home next week before rounding out their schedule at Michigan.

Ohio State’s defense has given up 75 points all season long — good for 7.5 points per game across 10 matchups. Add in the fact that the Buckeyes have one of the most potent offenses in the Big Ten.

CFP Quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl

No. 2 Texas A&M vs. TBA

Texas A&M completed the biggest comeback in program history on Saturday after trailing by 27 points to South Carolina at halftime. The Aggies are 10-0 for the first time 1992 and are two wins away from finishing the regular season undefeated for the first time since that same year.

Up next for the Aggies is a home stand against 1-0 Samford. After that, the regular season wraps up against Texas — a game that could solidify a 12-0 regular season for Texas A&M in Mike Elko’s second season.

CFP Quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl

No. 3 Indiana vs. TBA

Indiana and Ohio State appear poised to meet in the Big Ten Championship game this season. If that’s the case, the winner will most likely be the No. 1 overall seed, while the loser likely has a strong enough resume to earn a first-round bye anyway.

The Hoosiers improved to 11-0 with their 31-7 win over Wisconsin during Week 12. A road trip to 2-9 Purdue is the only thing separating Indiana from the conference title game and in turn, CFP.

CFP Quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl

No. 4 Georgia vs. TBA

Georgia earned a big-time win over No. 10 Texas, 35-10. The Bulldogs now have top 10 wins over both Ole Miss and Texas this seasons.

Kirby Smart’s squad have put themselves in position to earn a spot in the SEC Championship game. They’re done with conference play but still have to play in-state rival Georgia Tech on the road to end the regular season first.

CBS Bowl Projections after Week 12

Date TBA

Bahamas Bowl (TBD)
TBD
TBD
Buffalo vs. Kennesaw State

Saturday, Dec. 13

LA Bowl
SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
9 p.m., ESPN
San Diego State vs. Washington

Tuesday, Dec. 16

IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl
Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama)
9 p.m., ESPN
Western Michigan vs. Troy

Wednesday, Dec. 17

StaffDNA Cure Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
5 p.m., ESPN
Marshall vs. Central Michigan

68 Ventures Bowl
Hancock Whitney Stadium (Mobile, Alabama)
8:30 p.m., ESPN
FIU vs. Southern Miss

Friday, Dec. 19

Myrtle Beach Bowl
Brooks Stadium (Conway, South Carolina)
Noon, ESPN
Old Dominion vs. Western Kentucky

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
3:30 p.m., ESPN
UConn vs. USF

Monday, Dec. 22

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Albertsons Stadium (Boise, Idaho)
2 p.m., ESPN
Ohio vs. New Mexico

Tuesday, Dec. 23

Boca Raton Bowl
Flagler Credit Union Stadium (Boca Raton, Florida)
2 p.m., ESPN
Coastal Carolina vs. Utah State

New Orleans Bowl
Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
5:30 p.m., ESPN
Jacksonville State vs. James Madison

Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl
Frisco, Texas
9 p.m., ESPN
UTSA vs. Wyoming

Wednesday, Dec. 24

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex (Honolulu)
8 p.m., ESPN
Hawaii vs. East Carolina

Friday, Dec. 26

GameAbove Sports Bowl
Ford Field (Detroit)
1 p.m., ESPN
Illinois vs. Miami (OH)

Rate Bowl
Chase Field (Phoenix)
4:30 p.m., ESPN
Minnesota vs. Iowa State

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Gerald J. Ford Stadium (Dallas)
8 p.m., ESPN
Liberty vs. Tulane

Saturday, Dec. 27

Go Bowling Military Bowl
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland)
11 a.m., ESPN
Pitt vs. Navy

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
Yankee Stadium (Bronx, New York)
Noon, ABC
Clemson vs. Northwestern

Wasabi Fenway Bowl
Fenway Park (Boston)
2:15 p.m., ESPN
Wake Forest vs. Temple

Pop-Tarts Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
3:30 p.m., ABC
BYU vs. Miami

Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl
Arizona Stadium (Tucson, Arizona)
4:30 p.m., CW Network
Boise State vs. Toledo

Isleta New Mexico Bowl
University Stadium (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
5:45 p.m., ESPN
UNLV vs. Washington State

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
EverBank Stadium (Jacksonville, Florida)
7:30 p.m. ABC
Louisville vs. Vanderbilt

Kinder’s Texas Bowl
NRG Stadium (Houston)
9:15 p.m., ESPN
Houston vs. LSU

Monday, Dec. 29

Birmingham Bowl
Protective Stadium (Birmingham, Alabama)
2 p.m., ESPN
Memphis vs. Duke

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
Independence Stadium (Shreveport, Louisiana)
2 p.m., ESPN
Kansas State vs. Louisiana Tech

Music City Bowl
Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
5:30 p.m., ESPN
Nebraska vs. Tennessee

Valero Alamo Bowl
Alamodome (San Antonio)
9 p.m., ESPN
USC vs. Utah

Wednesday, Dec. 31

ReliaQuest Bowl
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Noon, ESPN
Penn State vs. Missouri

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl Stadium (El Paso, Texas)
2 p.m., CBS
SMU vs. Arizona

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
3 p.m., ABC
Texas vs. Michigan

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
3:30 p.m., ESPN
Iowa vs. Cal

Friday, Jan. 2

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Amon G. Carter Stadium (Fort Worth, Texas)
1 p.m., ESPN
Army vs. Baylor

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (Memphis, Tennessee)
4:30 p.m., ESPN
TCU vs. Fresno State

Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
8 p.m., ESPN
NC State vs. Cincinnati

Holiday Bowl
Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego)
8 p.m., Fox
Virginia vs. Arizona State