Projected College Football Playoff Rankings: Ohio State, LSU, Miami, and Penn State Set for First-Round Byes
An overview of the potential College Football Playoff Rankings following the completion of Week 1 of the 2025 season, highlighting key teams poised for first-round advantages.
Projection Overview
The recently concluded Week 1 of the 2025 NCAA football season has helped outline the potential playoff bracket. LSU, under Brian Kelly, has gained national attention after their victory against Clemson, showcasing a strong team built by both defensive strategy and offensive talent, particularly with their promising quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier.
Ohio State maintained their momentum with a crucial win against Texas, positioning themselves as co-leaders alongside LSU in the playoff conversation. Currently, these two teams lead the rankings, followed by Miami, Penn State, and Georgia. Each team is well-prepared to face the remainder of the season, with many vying for a top-four playoff spot.
Projected Top 12 Playoff Rankings
- Ohio State Buckeyes (Projected record: 12-1)
- LSU Tigers (Projected record: 12-1)
- Miami Hurricanes (Projected record: 12-1)
- Penn State Nittany Lions (Projected record: 12-1)
- Georgia Bulldogs (Projected record: 11-1)
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Projected record: 11-1)
- Texas Longhorns (Projected record: 11-2)
- Oregon Ducks (Projected record: 11-1)
- Clemson Tigers (Projected record: 11-2)
- Texas Tech Red Raiders (Projected record: 10-3)
- Florida Gators (Projected record: 9-3)
- Tulane Green Wave (Projected record: 12-1)
Projected First-Round Games
- No. 12 Tulane vs No. 5 Georgia (Winner faces No. 4 Penn State)
- No. 11 Florida vs No. 6 Notre Dame (Winner faces No. 3 Miami)
- No. 10 Texas Tech vs No. 7 Texas (Winner faces No. 2 LSU)
- No. 9 Clemson vs No. 8 Oregon (Winner faces No. 1 Ohio State)
The excitement surrounding the playoff potential continues to grow as teams prepare for critical matchups that will shape the rankings.
