College Football Playoff bracket for Week 2: Projecting top four seeds, first-round matchups, bubble teams
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College Football Playoff bracket for Week 2: Projecting top four seeds, first-round matchups, bubble teams originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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How much did LSU's 51-10 victory against Clemson shake up the College Football Playoff picture heading into Week 2?
The Tigers looked the part of a national championship contender, and the conference strengthened its position. Ole Miss survived Louisville 41-38 in a thrilleron Sunday, and the conference has five teams in our 12-team field – with two more on the fringe. The playoff depth in the conference rivals the Big Ten – and at least for a week we bumped USC in favor of LSU. The SEC has seven teams in the top 16 of our rankings, too.
The SEC can enhance its reputation in Week 2 with the matchups between Oklahoma and Michigan and Ohio State and Texas. The Sooners and Buckeyes won those matchups last year.
In: LSU
Out: USC
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 2:
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Projected College Football Playoff first-round byes
No. 1 Indiana (1-0, Big Ten champion)
The defending national champions under third-year Curt Cignetti opened with a 52-16 victory against North Texas. TCU transfer Josh Hoover (13 of 16, 231 yards, 4 TDs) stayed in control in his first start in place of Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. Boston College running back Turbo Richard (14-58) scored a pair of TDs. The Mean Green rushed for 152 yards on 4.0 yards per carry — but Indiana closed the game out with 21 fourth-quarter points. The Hoosiers play Howard in Week 2.
No. 2 Georgia (1-0, SEC champion)
Kirby Smart improved to 11-0 in season openers as Georgia coach. The Bulldogs beat Tennessee Tech 63-3. Georgia scored TDs on its first six possessions. Gunner Stockton (15 of 16, 202 yards, 3 TDs) and running back Nate Frazier (4-72, 3 TDs) made the necessary plays in short work, and Tennessee State was limited to 109 total yards. The Bulldogs face Western Kentucky in Week 2.
No. 3 Notre Dame (1-0, Independent)
The Irish needed a half against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field on Sunday, but back-to-back TDs in the third quarter helped break open a 41-13 victory. Notre Dame struggled to run in the first half – a product of losing first-round picks Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price – but Aneyas Williams (20-90, 2 TDs) settled in behind CJ Carr (19 of 29, 239 yards, 2 TDs). DJ McKinney had an interception return for a TD. Notre Dame faces Rice in Week 2.
No. 4 Ohio State (0-0, Big Ten at-large)
The Buckeyes beat Ball State 56-3 in a tuneup for Texas. Julian Sayin (21 of 25, 320 yards, 3 TDs) exploited the connection with receiver Jeremiah Smith (8-151, 2 TDs) in the first half, and Ohio State showcased a new cast of playmakers. Freshmen Legend Bey and Chris Henry Jr. also scored TDs. The Cardinals managed just 120 total yards. The rematch with Texas looms in Week 2.
Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Projected College Football Playoff first-round matchups
A look at Sporting News projected first-round College Football Playoff matchups heading into Week 2 of the college football season:
No. 12 Boise State (0-1, Pac-12 champion) at No. 5 Texas (1-0, SEC at-large)
The Longhorns routed Texas State 59-7. Remember all that Arch Manning bust talk last season? The second-year starter finished 20 of 27 for 305 yards and four TDs. Ryan Wingo (7-121, 2 TDs) and Cam Coleman (3-70, TD) are an elite receiving tandem. Linebacker Rasheem Biles added an interception and forced fumble to set up the rematch with Ohio State.
The Broncos lost to the Ducks, but that does not diminish this team's potential playoff if they run the table in the Pac-12. Maddux Madsen (15 of 29, 181 yards, 3 TDs) showed development at quarterback – and coach Spencer Danielson has a team capable of making a second run to the CFP in three seasons. Boise State plays Memphis in Week 3 and Western Michigan on Sept. 26.
No. 11 BYU (0-0, Big 12 champion) at No. 6 Miami (1-0, ACC champion)
A SEC-Pac-12 matchup for the modern age. Miami's investment in Darian Mensah (27 of 30, 401 yards, 5 TDs) paid early dividends. Malachi Toney had a record-setting night with 12 catches for 234 yards and three TDs in a 45-6 blowout at Stanford. The Hurricanes showed no signs of a drop-off after last year's CFP championship appearance despite losing nine players to the 2026 NFL Draft. Miami faces Florida A&M on Thursday.
BYU was our preseason pick to win the Big 12 – and a 63-7 victory against Utah Tech is a good start for the Cougars. Sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier (16 of 20, 198 yards, 3 TDs) was comfortable behind a rushing attack that piled up 308 yards on 6.7 yards per carry. The Cougars open Big 12 play against Arizona in Week 2 – so this pick will be tested.
MORE: Malachi Toney, Jeremiah Smith having a Heisman pose-off?
No. 10 Ole Miss (1-0, SEC at-large) at No. 7 Oregon (1-0, Big Ten at-large)
Oregon trailed by double digits in the first half before rallying for a 34-27 victory against Boise State at Autzen Stadium. Dante Moore (28 of 37, 378 yards) heated up in the second half, four different receivers had a catch of 20-plus yards and the Ducks overcame a series of first-half miscues to pull away for the victory. Oregon travels to Oklahoma State in Week 2.
Ole Miss won a shootout with Louisville in Pete Golding's first regular-season game as coach. Trinidad Chambliss (21 for 36, 336 yards, 3 TDs, 50 rushing yards and a TD) had just 75 passing yards at halftime, but a pair of 62-yard TD passes to Deuce Alexander (5-159) opened up the offense and gave the Rebels a solid non-conference victory. Ole Miss plays Charlotte in Week 2 ahead of the much-anticipated matchup with LSU in Week 3.
No. 9 Oklahoma (1-0, SEC at-large) at No. 8 LSU (1-0, SEC at-large)
LSU demolished Clemson with the help of Arizona State transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt, who had 230 passing yards, 113 rushing yards and three total TDs. LSU should make a considerable jump in the polls as a result – and they look like the third best team in the SEC behind Georgia and Texas.
Oklahoma beat UTEP 51-0 – which sets up the rematch with Michigan in Week 2. Quarterback John Mateer (11 of 17, 225 yards, 3 TDs) averaged 20.5 yards per completion. Receiver Isaiah Sategna III (4-76, TD) had an 88-yard punt return for a TD. The Sooners limited the Miners to 198 total yards. This is a complete team when Mateer is healthy under Brent Venables, and they can make a statement in the Big House.
MORE: LSU's rout of Clemson by the numbers
Projected College Football Playoff bubble teams
USC (2-0)
The Trojans shut out Fresno State 39-0 in Week 2. Jayden Maiava – who is 48 of 54 (88.9%) with 635 passing yards, 5 TDs and no interceptions – is cruising with freshman playmakers Trent Mosley (4-104, 2 TDs), Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (6-102) and tight end Mark Bowman (3-30). The defense pitched a shutout under defensive coordinator Gary Patterson. The non-conference schedule continues in Week 3 against Louisiana.
Texas A&M (1-0)
The Aggies limited Missouri State to 67 total yards in a 50-0 shutout that showed third-year coach Mike Elko might have his best team yet. Marcel Reed (21 of 30, 233 yards, 3 TDs) led the offense, and Texas A&M poured on 31 second-half points. Under the radar is fine heading into a Week 2 matchup against Arizona State.
Alabama (1-0)
Keelon Russell (18 of 30, 256 yards) had 86 rushing yards and a TD in his first start at quarterback – a 48-10 victory against East Carolina that showed a big-play offense under third-year coach Kalen DeBoer. Receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams had five catches for 130 yards. The Crimson Tide allowed two rushing yards on 22 attempts. The stock is up heading into a Week 2 matchup at Kentucky.
Texas Tech (1-0)
Will Hammond, who suffered a torn ACL last season, made the start at quarterback for the Red Raiders in a 33-10 victory against Abilene Christian. Hammond finished 26 of 33 for 298 yards, a TD and an interception. Kent State transfer Jamond Mathis had 2.5 sacks. The Red Raiders travel to Oregon State in Week 2.
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