Josh Pate updates conference championship, College Football Playoff predictions at midseason point

Most teams in college football are about halfway through their season. Conference championships and the College Football Playoff race continue to take shape across the country. With it comes updated predictions from Josh Pate on Tuesday’s Josh Pate’s College Football Show.

First up, Pate looked at the four power conferences and gave his thoughts after collecting seven weeks’ worth of data. Matchups and winners were included in the prediction, having a nice mix of similar and changed predictions.

Pate then got into the College Football Playoff, laying out his entire bracket. But first, let’s look at the update conference championship game selections.

ACC: Miami over Georgia Tech

Entering Saturday, five teams in the ACC hold an undefeated conference record. Georgia Tech is among the top with three wins, while Miami currently has only one — part of what two early bye weeks will do.

Pate is rolling with the Hurricanes to win the program’s first ACC Championship. Mario Cristobal finally gets over the hump, cementing a spot in the CFP.

Big Ten: Ohio State over Indiana

The Big Ten appears to be a two-horse race at this moment. Pate did wonder if USC could wind up making some noise, playing a couple of important games down the stretch.

However, he is picking Ohio State and Indiana to face off in Indianapolis. And as they have so many times in recent years, the Buckeyes take home the crown.

Big 12: Texas Tech over Utah

A matchup we saw just a few days ago, a rematch prediction comes from Pate. This one would take place in Arlington, TX, instead of Salt Lake City.

Texas Tech took care of business in the regular season by 24 points, 34-10. Doing so again could bring the Red Raiders a first conference title since 1994 when they were members of the Southwest Conference.

SEC: Alabama over Texas A&M

Not too long ago, this head-to-head was not possible in the SEC Championship game. College Station and Tuscaloosa usually played host to the big-time SEC West showdown.

After missing each other in 2024, Pate is picking the conference’s two hottest teams in 2025. Alabama puts together another great performance in Atlanta, a place fans are more than used to.

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With the conference championships decided, Pate then turned his attention to the College Football Playoff. He gave what his entire 12-team bracket would look like, before filling the whole thing out. Changes throughout from the preseason prediction but not when it comes to who meets (and wins) in Miami.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

Not many have the ability to test Ohio State at the moment. Ever since the season-opening win vs. Texas, it’s been smooth sailing for the Buckeyes — both in nonconference and against Big Ten foes.

Some sting was taken out of the schedule due to Penn State‘s recent struggles. But everybody has Nov. 29 in Ann Arbor circled on their calendar.

2. Miami Hurricanes

Just on the outside looking in last year, Miami does not have to worry about the committee in Pate’s predictions. Winning the ACC automatically puts them in and based on projections, the two-seed.

Miami could wind up playing two home games in the CFP, beginning in the quarterfinals. Hard Rock Stadium hosts one, something you have to imagine the Hurricanes take advantage of if given the opportunity.

3. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Tech turned itself into one of the bigger offseason storylines. Major investment in the roster meant results were needed by head coach Joey McGuire. Thus far, he is delivering and a little bit more.

Pate already gave Texas Tech a Big 12 title victory. A bye is not too shabby either, wanting to be the Big 12’s second-ever win in the College Football Playoff.

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

Pate admitted this might be a little low for Alabama after winning the SEC Championship. How the rest of their regular season plays a factor, in his opinion.

If Alabama is able to finish 11-1 and then win in Atlanta, Pate believes the Crimson Tide could be as high as the two-seed. However, with the tougher schedule than the likes of Miami and Texas Tech, they currently fit in as the four-seed.

5. Indiana Hoosiers vs. 12. USF Bulls

There certainly will be a race for the Group of Five spot. Memphis is another candidate but Pate is giving the edge to USF at the moment, sliding them in as the 12-seed.

Indiana losing the Big Ten title game is Curt Cignetti‘s first loss of the year for Pate. This gives them the top at-large spot, giving Bloomington the opportunity to host.

6. Texas A&M Aggies vs. 11. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Formerly a cross-division Big 12 matchup, Texas A&M and Nebraska last played in 2010. College Station hosted, coming to a thrilling 9-6 result. Might be safe to assume more points would be scored this go-round.

Kyle Field already produced one of the top atmospheres in college football. Bringing a Playoff game would take things to a new level, hoping to advance to play in-state Texas Tech.

7. Oregon Ducks vs. 10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Oregon dropping a home game to Indiana shook up what the Big Ten picture looks like. Now, Pate places the Ducks as an at-large team, quite different than last year’s path.

Notre Dame comes to Eugene as a result, a team already with two losses. Winning out is certainly going to be required by the Irish, hoping to carve out a path to the CFP.

8. Ole Miss Rebels vs. 9. Georgia Bulldogs

Funny enough, this is a game occurring on Saturday. Only, in Pate’s predictions, the venue is different. Georgia plays host in Sanford Stadium on Oct. 18, Vaught Hemingway over two months later.

Results over the past couple of years between these two are split. If there is a rubber match coming, Pate is allowing the loser to tie things right back up in the CFP.

National championship: Alabama over Oregon

This is exactly who Pate predicted to play during his preseason predictions. Nothing has changed, even in who winds up winning. He is rolling with the Tide.

Kalen DeBoer vs. Dan Lanning is one we have seen play out a few times already. DeBoer was just wearing purple in Seattle instead of crimson. As if the 2023 Pac-12 title did not have enough at stake, a national championship ups the level significantly.