David Pollack reveals new No. 1 seed in 12-team College Football Playoff projection

The College Football Playoff is rapidly approaching with each passing week. After an exciting Week 11 of college football, David Pollack has updated his 12-team projection with a new top seed.

Pollack believes Ohio State will lead the way at the moment. The Buckeyes have been extremely consistent all season, and while Indiana drives a hard bargain, Pollack moved them down a spot after almost falling to Penn State over the weekend.

With only three weeks remaining in the regular season, the CFP picture is clearer than ever, and Pollack is trying to make sense of it. Look below to see which teams he believes have the best chance of appearing in the 12-team dance.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

After a slow start to the game, Ohio State poured on 24 points in the second quarter to take full command on the road at Purdue. Quarterback Julian Sayin threw only six incompletions, though one was an interception, en route to a 303-yard, one-touchdown outing.

Ohio State continues to cruise, and nothing about the next two weeks should offer much in the way of a real test. The next two are against UCLA and Rutgers at home before the regular-season finale at Michigan.

2. Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana was pushed to the absolute brink on the road at Penn State. But when it needed its biggest stars in a big way, Fernando Mendoza and Omar Cooper Jr. were there to answer the bell. Cooper’s insane, toe-tapping touchdown catch with 36 seconds to go helped push Indiana in front for good.

Like Ohio State, the next two really shouldn’t be much of an issue. Indiana faces Wisconsin at home then travels to Purdue, looking to cap a perfect regular season before a likely trip to the Big Ten Championship Game.

3. Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M made sure it was ready to play from jump against a Missouri team that had to break in a backup quarterback. Matt Zollers was kept off rhythm all day long in the Aggies’ win. He finished 7-of-22 passing for 77 yards, and he failed to find the end zone for the Tigers.

For Texas A&M, it’s another win against a ranked opponent. There’s only one Top 25 team left and it doesn’t come until the season finale at Texas. Now it’s just about taking care of business against overmatched South Carolina and Samford squads first.

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama had a tougher go of things offensively than many might have expected against LSU. The Tigers pressured quarterback Ty Simpson quite a bit, but he was more than up to the challenge. He turned in another excellent outing, finishing with 277 passing yards and a touchdown in the win.

Alabama has a tricky next game. It takes on Oklahoma at home, but the Sooners will be coming off a bye week. That could be a significant factor. Take care of that and only the regular season finale against Auburn should stand in the way of a playoff berth.

5. Georgia Bulldogs

It was a close game for a quarter. In fact, the Bulldogs from Starkville actually led through the first frame. Then the Bulldogs from Athens scored 21 unanswered in the second quarter to take charge.

Quarterback Gunner Stockton put together another excellent afternoon. He threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, while also adding 31 rushing yards. Next up is a home date with a tough Texas team.

6. Ole Miss Rebels

It was smooth sailing from jump for the Rebels, who raced out to a 35-0 halftime lead and then coasted from there. Starting quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 333 yards and three touchdowns.

In fact, the game was lopsided enough that one-time starter Austin Simmons was able to get back into the mix. He threw for 100 yards on 7-of-12 passing, though he was picked off once. Regardless, having options at the position again is a big deal for Ole Miss. Next up is a home date with Florida, with all of the top 25 opponents well in the rearview mirror.

7. Texas Tech Red Raiders

With ESPN’s College GameDay in town and all eyes on the Red Raiders, they showed up and delivered in a big way. The defense pitched a shutout into the fourth quarter before finally cracking, but the game was well in hand by that point.

It was a well-balanced win for Texas Tech, which threw for 219 yards and ran for 149 in the win. Quarterback Behren Morton appears to be settling back in nicely, which is a big deal for the program going forward. Now it’s just about taking care of business. There are no top 25 opponents left on the regular-season slate.

8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

It took a little time, but eventually the floodgates burst open for Notre Dame in a game against Navy. And with enough cushion on the scoreboard, the style of football Navy plays didn’t really have a chance to keep it a close game.

CJ Carr was once again really sharp for the Fighting Irish, while Jeremiyah Love turned in another multi-touchdown outing. For Notre Dame, now it’s a top 25 showdown with Pittsburgh that’s on tap. That’ll be a road game and should be the toughest remaining test.

9. Oregon Ducks

In a sloppy, rainy game, both teams found it difficult to come by quality offense. But Dante Moore was on point when he needed to be late on the final drive to put the team into game-winning field goal position. And Oregon survived.

There are still a couple Top 25 opponents left on the schedule, but this might have been the biggest trap spot. Up next is a home date against Minnesota before games against ranked USC and Washington squads to close out the year.

10. Texas Longhorns

Texas enjoyed a week off in Week 11. The Longhorns were coming off a huge win over Vanderbilt, and they’re keeping their College Football Playoff hopes alive in the process.

Hopefully Arch Manning and the Texas offense is well prepared for a gigantic showdown with Georgia this coming weekend. The season will be on the line for the Longhorns, and a road win in Athens would go a long way towards convincing the committee Texas is for real.

11. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

A loss to NC State seemingly was a brutal blow for Georgia Tech, but they enjoyed some positive results over the course of their bye week. Now, they’ll return to action reinvigorated against Boston College in Week 12.

The Eagles are a bit of a reprieve, but the Yellow Jackets finish with two tough contests. They’ll face Pittsburgh and Georgia to end their season, and that’ll decide whether they make the CFP or not.

12. North Texas Mean Green

North Texas sneaks into the Top 12 at 8-1. The Mean Green have been phenomenal in 2025, and due to a couple of losses from other Group of Five contenders, Pollack moves them on up.

They finish their season with UAB, Rice and Temple. With no team on their schedule remaining above five wins, North Texas certainly has hope to get to the Playoff this year.