Ohio State Makes a Strong Case in Playoff Projections

Despite initial projections, Alabama and Boise State fell out of the playoff race following Week 1 of the college football season. A surprising defeat against Florida State left Alabama looking less like a contender and more like a struggling team. This marks a setback for Coach Kalen DeBoer during his second season at Alabama.

In contrast, Ohio State showcased a formidable defense that greatly impressed the selection committee with their victory over preseason No. 1 Texas. The Ohio State Buckeyes confirmed their status as one of the top teams early in the season, earning a margin for error in the highly competitive Big Ten.

Current College Football Playoff Projections

• Quarterfinals:
  • Sugar Bowl: (1) Ohio State vs. (8/9) Winner
  • Rose Bowl: (2) LSU vs. (7/10) Winner
  • Orange Bowl: (3) Miami vs. (6/11) Winner
  • Cotton Bowl: (4) Penn State vs. (5/12) Winner

Johns Franklin led his team to success against Nevada. LSU’s defense was praised for its performance against Clemson, while Miami scored a significant victory over Notre Dame. Conversely, Texas and Oregon also project to be strong competitors, with Texas needing to turn the tide after a rocky start.

Stay tuned as we look ahead to the coming weeks and their impact on these predictions.