Using BCS formula to predict College Football Playoff Top 25, 12-team CFP bracket after Week 8

At the midway point of the 2025 college football season and with the official playoff rankings coming in the not-too-distant future, how the race is shaping up is as fascinating as ever. But what might the BCS formula have things looking like?

The fine folks at BCSKnowHow.com have helped answer that very question, providing an updated top 25 ranking following Saturday’s games. It’s an interesting exercise.

For the most part, the top of the standings look pretty similar to the AP Poll. But there are some significant differences further down. Let’s take an in-depth look at how the BCS would slot out the College Football Playoff right now.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

Unbeaten and having played a decent schedule so far, Ohio State checks in as the unquestioned No. 1 in the BCS formula. The Buckeyes have a considerable gap between them and the No. 2 team, as well.

Ohio State’s path is pretty straightforward. It can hold onto the top overall seed by simply winning out. Even then, the Buckeyes have some margin for error in making the field, given they’ve yet to lose a game.

2. Indiana Hoosiers

Also unbeaten, Indiana has one of the best wins in the country with its road victory over Oregon. That game was huge in helping cement the Hoosiers as one of the top teams in the potential playoff field.

Complete BCS scores will be included in the full top 25 below, but Indiana also boasts a huge gap over its next closest competitor. That also indicates some significant margin for error going forward.

3. Texas A&M Aggies

The first team not from the Big Ten in the rankings, Texas A&M would earn a first-round playoff bye as the top offering from the SEC. The Aggies remain unbeaten in a league that has really beat itself up early on.

Can Texas A&M maintain that perch atop the league standings? It won’t be easy. Ranked games against LSU and Missouri — both away from home — are next on the schedule.

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama takes the fourth and final bye in this week’s BCS standings, which mirrors the AP’s top four at the moment. The Crimson Tide have been absolutely excellent since dropping a season opener at Florida State.

Like Texas A&M, Alabama also remains unbeaten in SEC play, now halfway through the league slate. Avoiding letdowns might be the key, because there are only two ranked opponents left on the schedule.

5. Georgia Bulldogs vs. 12. Vanderbilt Commodores

In the 5 vs. 12 playoff matchup it would be an SEC meeting between two teams that won’t face off in the regular season. Both teams will be thoroughly battle tested by them.

Vanderbilt’s remaining schedule still includes three ranked opponents, starting with this week’s Missouri contest. Remaining in the playoff running won’t be easy. Conversely, Georgia has just two ranked opponents left — and there’s a strong possibility one drops from the rankings before playing Georgia.

6. Oregon Ducks vs. 11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Oregon remains in strong position to make the playoff field despite the loss to Indiana, and the BCS formula this week reflects that. The Ducks check in at No. 6, and nobody would want to see them in the playoffs.

That said, Notre Dame will be happy with whatever playoff matchup it can get after starting the season 0-2. The Fighting Irish have bounced back quite nicely and would be in position to earn a bid if the season ended today.

7. Ole Miss Rebels vs. 10. BYU Cougars

Despite BYU being currently unbeaten, the computers like Ole Miss with one loss even more. There probably isn’t a whole lot that BYU can do to change that, either, given the relative strengths of the conferences. So the Cougars must keep winning.

The Rebels are coming off a loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, so how they bounce back will be key to watch going forward. The schedule gets considerably lighter after this weekend’s road trip to Oklahoma.

8. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. 9. Miami Hurricanes

While the current BCS formula has Georgia Tech matching up with Miami in the first round of the playoffs, that may be a stretch once the rest of the season factors in. The two teams could well meet in the ACC title game, though Miami has a lot more work to do.

Miami, of course, is coming off its first loss of the season, against Louisville. Georgia Tech has yet to lose a game. This would be a wildly interesting matchup, though, given the contrast in styles.

Full BCS Top 25 following Week 8

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (0.9933)
2. Indiana Hoosiers (0.9522)
3. Texas A&M Aggies (0.8950)
4. Alabama Crimson Tide (0.8697)
5. Georgia Bulldogs (0.8200)
6. Oregon Ducks (0.7411)
7. Ole Miss Rebels (0.6858)
8. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (0.6381)
9. Miami Hurricanes (0.6354)
10. BYU Cougars (0.6080)
11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0.5736)
12. Vanderbilt Commodores (0.5373)
13. Oklahoma Sooners (0.5244)
14. Texas Tech Red Raiders (0.4454)
15. Missouri Tigers (0.4174)
16. Louisville Cardinals (0.3001)
17. Virginia Cavaliers (0.2904)
18. Tennessee Volunteers (0.2857)
19. Texas Longhorns (0.2807)
20. LSU Tigers (0.2749)
21. South Florida Bulls (0.2698)
22. Cincinnati Bearcats (0.1702)
23. Illinois Fighting Illini (0.1453)
24. Michigan Wolverines (0.1434)
25. USC Trojans (0.0943)