ESPN formula predicts first College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings

College Football Playoff CFP Trophy — Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

ESPN used a formula to predict the College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings set to be released Tuesday. It’ll be the first set of rankings in 2025.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly used a combination of the AP Poll, BCS-type numbers, strength of record and their resume SP+ rankings. It spit out a top 25 rankings and the projected bracket is also below.

So let’s dive into the latest projection for the College Football Playoff. This time, from ESPN’s latest formula and the conference champions are listed based on their ranking in the top 25.

1. Ohio State (Big Ten champion)

Ohio State is the projected top seed in the College Football Playoff. The defending champions are 8-0 on the season and rolling right now.

It’s hard to pick against them at this rate. Julian Sayin is playing at a Heisman level and the defense is shutting down whoever’s in front of them. Good luck!

2. Indiana

Indiana HC Curt Cignetti — Rich Janzaruk | Herald-Times | USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Hoosiers could climb this high if their lone loss is to Ohio State in the Big Ten championship. Although they might move down slightly in the College Football Playoff rankings if Texas A&M is undefeated or if the committee weighs a 12-1 Aggies or Alabama team higher than the Hoosiers.

Still, Indiana seems bound for the CFP once again. Curt Cignetti has this team rolling right now and they seemingly don’t play any close games.

3. Texas A&M (SEC Champion)

Based on the rankings, Texas A&M is the highest ranked SEC squad, so we’ll use ESPN’s rankings and slot them in as the champ. The Aggies are 8-0 at the moment.

Although it’s fair to say, Texas A&M is bound to be No. 2 or 1 if they are 13-0 and win the SEC. We’ll see how the College Football Playoff committee treats them this week.

4. Alabama

The Crimson Tide lost to Florida State in Week 1 and that feels like a lifetime ago. Alabama is 7-1 and they’re coming off a bye. It’s hard to argue with their momentum.

Like Julian Sayin for Ohio State, Ty Simpson is playing at Heisman level for Alabama. Kalen DeBoer could get to the College Football Playoff for the second time in three years with two different schools.

5. Georgia

Georgia HC Kirby Smart — Jake Crandall | Advertiser | USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Georgia had some trouble with rival Florida, but beat the Gators 24-20. As long as they keep winning, regardless of an SEC title or not, the Bulldogs are in College Football Playoff position.

Sitting at 7-1, with the lone loss coming to Alabama, Kirby Smart and crew could vie for a high seed and home game in the first round. Next up is Mississippi State on the road.

6. Oregon

Oregon had a bye week following a less than stellar win over Wisconsin. Still, the Ducks’ lone loss is to Indiana, one of the top teams in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Dan Lanning and crew still boast one of the best teams in the country. Right now, they’re bound for a first round home game.

7. Ole Miss

The Rebels are cruising at this point. Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss beat South Carolina 30-14 to improve to 8-1 and firmly in the College Football Playoff picture.

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Kewan Lacy was the star with 167 yards on the ground and a touchdown. If he keeps playing like that, good luck. The CItadel, Florida and Mississippi State remain on Ole Miss’ schedule.

8. BYU (Big 12 Champion)

Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

BYU is the projected Big 12 champion based on the rankings right now. However, they’ll have a challenge to make the College Football Playoff with Texas Tech this week.

In fact, both teams could make it as of now. But the Cougars are 8-0 and coming off a bye week. Maybe a 13-0 campaign is in play!

9. Texas Tech

Texas Tech made a statement with a 43-20 win over Kansas State on the road. The Red Raiders are 8-1 on the season and could make it two Big 12 teams in the College Football Playoff if they keep winning alongside BYU.

In fact, if Texas Tech wins out and is 11-1, they might have an 11-1 BYU team in the Big 12 title game. What happens from there is anyone’s guess, but it’s possible.

10. Notre Dame

Notre Dame is a projected top 10 team in the College Football Playoff ahead of the first rankings. So if the season ended today, they are back in!

It seems like the surefire way they are in is if the Fighting Irish are 10-2. They started 0-2, but this looks like a team on a mission.