ESPN's Heather Dinich: LSU would be No. 1 seed in CFB Playoffs

LSU Football used the opening weekend of college football to make arguably the biggest statement of Week 1.

The Tigers, losers of five season openers in a row, went to No. 4 Clemson, rallied for an early deficit, won nearly every notable stat category, and took home the victory to move to 1-0 for the first time since the 2019 National Championship season.

In the two other Top 10 games during Week 1, No. 1 Texas lost at No. 3 Ohio State, while No. 10 Miami sent No. 6 Notre Dame back to South Bend with a loss after a go-ahead field goal in the final minute.

With Week 1 of the college football season officially in the books, ESPN CFB Playoff reporter Heather Dinich revealed her predictions of the 12 teams the selection committee would circle if the playoff rankings were released ahead of Week 2’s games.

Here’s the 12 teams she picked – a list that begins with the LSU Tigers.

Predicting 2025’s 12-team Playoff after LSU’s Week 1 splash

1. LSU Tigers

For the first time in five seasons, LSU won its season opener, and it was a big one. On Saturday, the Tigers defeated No. 4 Clemson in convincing 17-10 fashion. While LSU’s offense was impressive, its defense stole the show.

LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker coached his unit to perfection, holding Clemson just 261 yards of total offense. In the loss, Clemson QB Cade Klubnik connected on just 50% of his pass attempts for 230 yards. Klubnik didn’t throw a touchdown, but did toss an interception in the loss.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

After Ohio State both of its coordinators this offseason, there were questions around the program entering this season. The Buckeyes silenced any doubters on Saturday with its emphatic 14-7 triumph over Texas.

Once again, Ohio State’s defense was the story in the win. The Buckeyes’ suffocating defense made Texas’ typically dominant offense look lost on the field. In the end, Ohio State held Texas to 336 yards and fewer points than it scored in a single game all of last season.

3. Miami Hurricanes

Carson Beck had a down year last season at Georgia, and many analysts weren’t convinced he would regain his footing in Miami. Alas, the former All-SEC Second-Team selection looked like a Heisman candidate in the Hurricanes’ 27-24 win over No. 6 Notre Dame on Sunday.

In the triumph, Beck completed 20-of-his-31 pass attempts for 205 yards and two touchdowns, without throwing an interception. Perhaps more importantly, Miami’s defense looked much improved, with new DC Corey Hetherman calling the shots.

4. Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State is one of the favorites to win the national title this season, and the team looked the part in its season-opening 46-11 win over Nevada. Every player did their part, starting with quarterback Drew Allar, who threw for 217 yards and a touchdown on a ridiculous 84.6% completion percentage.

Running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen looked as good as ever too. Singleton and Allen combined for three touchdowns in the win before being sidelined. If the Nittany Lions can play to their potential, it’ll be difficult for any Big Ten team to top them this year.

5. Florida State Seminoles

After an abysmal 2-10 campaign in 2024, Florida State is officially back like it never left. The Seminoles kicked off their revenge campaign with a jaw-dropping 31-17 win over Alabama on Saturday.

In the win, quarterback Thomas Castellanos backed up his previous trash talk, logging 230 total yards of offense. It was a statement performance for the Seminoles, who were ridiculed after their disappointing output last fall.

6. Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia’s 45-7 win over Marshall on Saturday didn’t garner nearly as much attention as some of the other victories this weekend. Alas, fans would be foolish to overlook the Bulldogs’ complete performance.

Georgia was functioning on all cylinders in the win, but nobody outshined new QB1 Gunner Stockton. Opinions were mixed on Stockton after he took over for Georgia late in the season when Beck suffered a UCL injury. Nonetheless, Stockton looked like a viable leader on Saturday, pacing the team in rushing yards while throwing for 190 yards and two scores.

7. Oregon Ducks

Oregon has been in the background this offseason despite being the No. 1 team in the country for the majority of last season. In fairness, Oregon is only returning five starters from last season and had a less-than-glorious exit from the CFP.

Alas, Oregon showed no signs of weakness in its 59-13 win over Montana State on Saturday. In the win, the Ducks poured on 506 yards of total offense. The team’s transfer stars took to Dan Lanning‘s system like ducks to water.

8. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee fans are feeling much better about losing Nico Iamaleava to the transfer portal this offseason after handily defeating Syracuse 45-26 this weekend. In the win, transfer QB Joey Aguilar notched 247 passing yards and three TDs, without throwing a pick.

The Volunteers’ ground game was strong as well. Running backs Star Thomas and DeSean Bishop combined for 174 rushing yards and a touchdown. With the win, the CFP selection committee should have improved confidence in the Volunteers moving forward.

9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame is the first team in ESPN’s CFP projections that didn’t win its season opener. While the Fighting Irish didn’t walk away with a win on Sunday, they didn’t lose any respect, either.

With a first-time starting quarterback leading the way, Notre Dame had Miami on the ropes. If the Fighting Irish can cut down on their turnovers moving forward and hone their strengths, they could be a legitimate contender for the national title.

10. Texas Longhorns

Texas simply didn’t look impressive on Saturday. And yet, it only lost to the reigning national champions by a single touchdown. With an entire season to shore up their weaknesses, the Longhorns are far from out of the fight.

Namely, quarterback Arch Manning will need to step up his game. The redshirt sophomore QB struggled to find a rhythm early against the Buckeyes and threw a pivotal interception after appearing to grow desperate.

11. South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina has a difficult path ahead of it, but it certainly started off its season on a strong note Sunday. In the victory, quarterback LaNorris Sellers picked right up where he left off last season, logging 209 passing yards, 25 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Additionally, wide receiver Nyck Harbor showed significant improvements from last season after opting not to run track and field this spring. Harbor was Sellers’ go-to target and finished the game with 99 yards and a touchdown.

12. Clemson Tigers

Clemson fans didn’t walk away from the team’s 17-10 loss to LSU feeling encouraged. Yet, ESPN doesn’t believe Dabo Swinney and Co. should hang their heads just yet.

Clemson’s offense simply wasn’t up to par in the loss and has plenty of time to improve this season. The Tigers’ offensive particularly needs to improve. LSU put Clemson QB Cade Klubnik under pressure all night and made it difficult for the Heisman candidate to find a groove in the game.

ESPN’s CFP Bracket Projection

First-round byes

No. 1 LSU (SEC champ)
No. 2 Ohio State (Big Ten champ)
No. 3 Miami (ACC champ)
No. 4 Penn State

First-round games

On campus, Dec. 19 and 20

No. 12 USF (American champ) at No. 5 Florida State
No. 11 Arizona State (Big 12 champ) at No. 6 Georgia
No. 10 Texas at No. 7 Oregon
No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 8 Tennessee

Quarterfinal games

At the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential and Allstate Sugar Bowl on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

No. 12 USF/No. 5 Florida State winner vs. No. 4 Penn State
No. 11 Arizona State/No. 6 Georgia winner vs. No. 3 Miami
No. 10 Texas/No. 7 Oregon winner vs. No. 2 Ohio State
No. 9 Notre Dame/No. 8 Tennessee winners vs. No. 1 LSU