College Football Playoff bracket for Week 3: Projecting top four seeds, first-round matchups, bubble teams
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College Football Playoff bracket for Week 3: Projecting top four seeds, first-round matchups, bubble teams originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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How long will Texas hold on to the No. 1 spot?
The Longhorns could move up to No. 1 in the AP Poll after a dramatic 24-23 come-from-behind victory against Ohio State on Saturday. Of course, Indiana – the defending national champion – has a strong argument. So does two-time defending SEC champion Georgia. So does Notre Dame. So does Miami. This is fun, right?
Texas did trail 23-3 entering the fourth quarter against the Buckeyes, and if not for Arch Manning's fourth-quarter heroics and a missed Ohio State field goal, these rankings could be different. But if this were the first set of CFP rankings, the Longhorns took the first chip and would have the top spot.
That was part of a Week 2 where Oregon and Oklahoma dropped out of our CFP rankings after losses to Oklahoma State and Michigan, respectively.
Here is a look at the top four teams, the projected first-round matchups and the four teams on the college football playoff bubble heading into Week 3:
In: USC, Alabama
Out: Oregon, Oklahoma
WEEK 2 OVERREACTIONS: James Franklin! Oklahoma! Akron's Offensive Coordinator!
Projected College Football Playoff first-round byes
No. 1 Texas (2-0, SEC champion)
Manning (23 of 37, 195 yards, TD, INT) led Texas back from that 20-point deficit, and the running game with Hollywood Smothers (21-74, 2 TDs) and Raleek Brown (10-54) was successful against Ohio State's defense. Texas scored a major non-conference victory that will serve coach Steve Sarkisian well before the SEC grind begins. Georgia isn't on the regular-season schedule either. The Longhorns face UTSA in Week 3.
MORE: Breaking down fourth-quarter rally |Arch Manning report card
No. 2 Indiana (2-0, Big Ten champion)
The Hoosiers dominated Howard 55-0 – which was expected. Indiana rolled up 296 rushing yards behind Lee Bebee Jr. (16-112) and Turbo Richard (11-108, TD). Josh Hoover (6 of 11, 145 yards, 4 TDs) has eight TD passes on 27 pass attempts through two starts. The Hoosiers' biggest boost may have come from North Texas beating UNLV 44-6. Indiana beat North Texas 52-16 in Week 1. The Hoosiers take an 18-game winning streak into a Week 3 matchup against Western Kentucky.
No. 3 Notre Dame (2-0, Independent)
The Irish shut out Rice 52-0 behind a defense that allowed just 128 total yards. The Owls committed four turnovers, and Boubacar Traore set the tone with a fumble return for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Notre Dame's defense scored 21 points off those turnovers. CJ Carr (16 of 20, 253 yards, 4 TDs) was efficient behind a running game that averaged 3.7 yards per attempt. The Irish face Michigan State in Week 3.
No. 4 Georgia (2-0, SEC at-large)
Georgia beat Western Kentucky 70-10. Who made the Hilltoppers' schedule again? The Bulldogs scored touchdowns on their first seven possessions – and Gunner Stockton (13 of 16, 234 yards, 5 TDs) has eight TDs on 32 pass attempts. Kirby Smart has a national championship contender flying under the radar heading into the SEC opener at Arkansas in Week 3.
Projected College Football Playoff first-round matchups
A look at Sporting News projected first-round College Football Playoff matchups heading into Week 3 of the college football season:
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No. 12 Boise State (1-1, Pac-12 champion) at No. 5 Ohio State (1-1, Big Ten at-large)
This loss won't hurt Ohio State in the CFP race too much, but it will lead to questions about losing a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter for coach Ryan Day. Jeremiah Smith (8-164, TD) had an amazing performance, but Julian Sayin (17 of 32, 278 yards, TD, INT) struggled in the second half. The Big Ten schedule is brutal, too. The Buckeyes have a chance to get back on track against Kent State in Week 3. You could slide Ohio State to No. 6, but we won't penalize them for playing a top-five team on the road.
The Broncos scored 21 unanswered points in the second half of a 38-20 victory against Memphis in a huge Group of 6 matchup. Dylan Riley (19-206) had a monster game on the ground for Boise State, which limited the Tigers to 1 of 8 conversions on third down. Boise State plays South Dakota in Week 3. Keep an eye on North Dakota State for this Group of 6 spot. It's not too early for the former FCS powerhouse to get in the mix in its first year in the FBS.
No. 11 Alabama (2-0, SEC at-large) at No. 6 Miami (2-0, ACC champion)
The Hurricanes scored TDs on 11 straight possessions not counting two plays before halftime in a 77-7 victory against Florida A&M. Darian Mensah (14 of 15, 252 yards, 3 TDs) hasn't taken a sack through two games – and freshman running back Javion Mallory (10-142, 2 TDs) offers another option behind Mark Fletcher Jr. (7-105, 2 TDs). Miami opens ACC play at Wake Forest on Friday.
Look who's back in the mix. Alabama beat Kentucky 45-17 – a game that was tight at halftime before the Crimson Tide outscored the Wildcats 32-0 in the second half. Alabama shook off three first-half turnovers, and Keelon Russell (16 of 23, 188 yards, TD, 2 INTs) showed maturity in his road start. Daniel Hill (18-104, TD) kept the running game going, and Caleb Woodson and Devan Hopkins had two sacks apiece.
No. 10 USC (3-0, Big Ten at-large) at No. 7 LSU (2-0, SEC at-large)
LSU set up Lane Kiffin's return to Ole Miss with a 45-14 victory against Louisiana Tech that was close at halftime. Sam Leavitt (25 of 38, 344 yards, TD, 3 INTs) shook off the turnovers and added three rushing TDs. The Tigers outgained the Bulldogs 528-140. Now, comes the moment at Ole Miss we've all been waiting for.
Would another Kiffin reunion be in store against the Trojans? USC quarterback Jayden Maiava (19 of 29, 269 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT) threw TD passes to four different receivers in a 49-30 victory against Louisiana. Tight end Mark Bowman (6-83, 2 TDs) continues to emerge as a playmaker. King Miller (18-128, TD) added to an offense that piled up 483 yards. Yet the Trojans still gave up 359 total yards and 20 second-half points to the Ragin' Cajuns. USC plays at Rutgers in Week 3.
No. 9 BYU (2-0, Big 12 champion) at No. 8 Ole Miss (2-0, SEC at-large)
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss finished 23 of 26 for 225 yards and two TDs in a 41-9 victory against Charlotte. Kewan Lacy (13-87, 2 TDs) is back, and the stage is set for Rebels coach Pete Golding against Kiffin in Week 3. Who wins that emotional matchup – and how will the loser stand in our playoff picture afterward? For now, Ole Miss hosts a first-round CFP game, too.
The Cougars trailed 17-14 at halftime but recalibrated in a 28-17 victory against Arizona in Big 12 play. Bear Bachmeier (16 of 26, 217 yards, 3 TDs) continues to develop as a passer, and he added 36 rushing yards and a TD behind running back LJ Martin (20-98). BYU remains our Big 12 championship pick, and the Cougars face Colorado State in Week 3.
Projected College Football Playoff bubble teams
Texas A&M (2-0)
The Aggies enjoyed a 48-20 victory against Arizona State. Texas A&M outscored the Sun Devils 24-0 in the fourth quarter with the help of two interception returns for TDs from Marco Jones and Julio Humphrey. Marcel Reed (15 of 25, 163 yards, 3 TDs, INT) led an offense that was limited to 255 total yards. Texas A&M faces Kentucky in Week 3. Why Alabama over the Aggies? Texas A&M has to go to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Oct. 24.
Texas Tech (2-0)
The Red Raiders were tied with Oregon State heading into the fourth quarter before pulling away in a 35-24 victory. Texas Tech allowed 403 passing yards, and Will Hammond (20 of 27, 189 yards, TD) is still settling into the role of full-time starter. The defending Big 12 champions get their first major test Friday against Houston. Should Utah be ahead of the Red Raiders at this point?
Penn State (2-0)
The Nittany Lions beat Temple 27-9, and first-year coach Matt Campbell has maximized the early returns with a defense that allowed 12.5 first downs per game through two weeks. The Owls scored a late TD – the first TD in eight quarters against Penn State. Quarterback Rocco Becht (21 of 27, 268 yards, 3 TDs) has a 75.6% completion percentage. The Nittany Lions finish the non-conference schedule against Buffalo in Week 3.
Oregon (1-1)
The Ducks were No. 2 in the AP Preseason Poll, but they are out after a stunning 39-31 loss at Oklahoma State. Oregon coach Dan Lanning is still adjusting to a pair of new coordinators, and the Cowboys rolled up 554 total yards. A late fumble by Dierre Hill Jr. sealed the Ducks' fate. Dante Moore (14 of 29, 191 yards, 2 TDs) struggled to find a groove. Oregon has a get-right game against Portland State before the Big Ten opener at USC (Sept. 26).
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