The Tailgators College Football Playoff 12
John, Brian and Gary put together their version of the College Football Playoff
In 2024 the College Football Playoff will introduce a 12-team playoff bracket, expanding from the previous four-team format.
The 12-team College Football Playoff field will include the five highest-ranked conference champions, which will receive automatic bids. The remaining seven highest-ranked teams will round out the 12-team format. The playoff must also include one team from the Group of 5.
The top four ranked teams receive a bye into the quarterfinals. Conference champions in BOLD.
Tennessee and BYU losses change up the Top 12 standings for each of the Tailgators. Undefeated Oregon (11-0) is the consensus No. 1 pick. While John and Gary have Texas in the No. 2 spot, Brian has undefeated Indiana. Texas, meanwhile, is No. 3 in Brian’s Top 12, and No. 2 in John and Gary’s. Below are our CFP Top 12 with the first-round playoff match-ups:
Brian’s Top 12
Oregon 11-0 (Big Ten Champion)
Indiana 10-0 (Big Ten)
Texas 9-1 (SEC Champion)
Ohio State 9-1 (Big Ten)
Boise State 9-1 (Mountain West Champion)
Penn State 9-1 (Big Ten)
SMU 9-1 (ACC Champion)
BYU 9-1 (Big XII)
Miami 9-1 (ACC)
Army 9-0 (American Athletic Champion)
Notre Dame 9-1 (FBS Independent)
Georgia 8-2 (SEC)
First Round Schedule: December 20-21
Byes: Oregon, Texas, Boise State and SMU
No. 12 Georgia at No. 2 Indiana
No. 11 Notre Dame at No. 4 Ohio State
No. 10 Army at No. 6 Penn State
No. 9 Miami at No. 8 BYU
Notes: Georgia is Brian’s second SEC team in based on victories over Texas and Tennessee. The Big Ten would host three first-round playoff games.
John’s Top 12
Oregon 10-0 (Big Ten Champion)
Texas 9-1 (SEC Champion)
Ohio State 9-1 (Big Ten)
Penn State 9-1 (Big Ten)
Alabama 8-2 (SEC)
Boise State 9-1 (Mountain West Champion)
Miami 9-1 (ACC Champion)
Notre Dame 9-1 (FBS Independent)
Indiana 10-0 (Big Ten)
Ole Miss 8-2 (SEC)
Colorado 8-2 (Big 12 Champion)
Georgia 8-2 (SEC)
First Round Schedule: December 20-21
Byes: Oregon, Texas, Boise State, Miami
No. 12 Georgia at No. 5 Ohio State
No. 11 Colorado at No. 6 Penn State
No. 10 Ole Miss at No. 7 Alabama
No. 9 Indiana at No. 8 Notre Dame
Notes: Watch out for Arizona State! No one is talking about them but they get BYU at home this week and can earn a spot in the Big 12 title game with a victory.
Gary’s Top 12
Oregon 10-0 (Big Ten Champion)
Texas 9-1 (SEC Champion)
SMU 9-1 (ACC Champion)
Colorado 8-2 (Big XII Champion)
Penn State 9-1 (Big Ten)
Boise State 9-1 (Mountain West Champion)
BYU 9-1 (Big XII)
Army 9-0 (American Athletic Champion)
Indiana 10-0 (Big Ten)
Miami 9-1 (ACC)
Texas A&M 8-2 (SEC)
Notre Dame 9-1 (FBS Independent)
First Round Schedule: December 20-21
Byes: Oregon, Texas, SMU and Colorado
No. 12 Notre Dame at No. 5 Penn State
No. 11 Texas A&M at No. 6 Boise State
No. 10 Miami at No. 7 BYU
No. 9 Indiana at No. 8 Army
Notes: Ohio St. (9-1) does not make Gary’s Top 12.