College Football Playoff Projections: One Big 12 Team, ACC Low Seed, Who Will Indiana Play?

The College Football Playoff chase just took a left turn.

So now what's the call for the College Football Playoff? First, check out all or our Predicting the Rest of the Season picks  - ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | SEC | IND | AAC | CUSA | MAC | MWest | Sun Belt -  to see how we think it'll all shake out by team. That will make it a bit clearer because ...

CFP Projections: Week 12

CFN Bowl Projections
Dec 14-26 Bowls | Dec 27-Jan 4 Bowls 

All of a sudden, the ACC is looking like a one-bid conference. The Miami loss to Georgia Tech matters, so now, if SMU loses a game or if the Canes drop another one - like, at Syracuse - Clemson gets in.

However, we're also projecting that the Tigers will lose to South Carolina but will still win the ACC Championship. If that happens, they'll be the lowest-seeded team in the CFP.

The Big 12 might have a hard time getting a second team in, especially if it's BYU rolling through and winning the conference title. With that said, we see two losses coming - on in the Big 12 title game.

With the Indiana win over Michigan, it's looking more and more like the Hoosiers, Penn State, and Notre Dame will all finish the regular season 11-1.

Combine that with the Big Ten Championship loser between Ohio State and Oregon still ranked high, the Big Ten - and the Irish - will dominate the higher seeds, and the SEC will own the lower ones making for a fantastic first round of showdowns.

There's no reseeding. The 8-9 winner plays the 1, 7-10 winner plays the 2, 6-11 winner plays the 3, and the 5-12 winner plays the 4. 

1 vs 8-9 plays the 4 vs 5-12, and 2 vs 7-10 plays 3 vs 6-11.

College Football Playoff First Round

Friday, December 20
8:00, ABC/ESPN
Home site of higher seed
Bowl Projection: 9 Texas A&M at 8 Indiana
Last Week: 9 Texas A&M vs 8 Kansas State

Saturday, December 21
12:00, TNT
Home site of higher seed
Bowl Projection: 10 Ole Miss at 7 Notre Dame
Last Week: 10 Texas vs 7 Penn State

Saturday, December 21
4:00, TNT
Home site of higher seed
Bowl Projection: 11 Georgia at 6 Penn State
Last Week: 11 Indiana vs 6 Notre Dame

Saturday, December 21
8:00, ABC/ESPN
Home site of higher seed
Bowl Projection: 12 Clemson at 5 Oregon
Last Week: 12 Tennessee vs 5 Oregon

College Football Playoff Quarterfinals 

Vrbo Fiesta Bowl

Tuesday, December 31
7:30, ESPN
State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Last Season: Oregon 45, Liberty 6
Bowl Projection: 4 Boise State vs 5 Oregon
4 Last Week: 4 Boise State vs 5 Oregon

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

Wednesday, January 1, 2025
1:00, ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Last Season: Ole Miss 38, Penn State 25
Bowl Projection: 3 Kansas State vs 11 Georgia
Last Week: 3 Miami vs 6 Notre Dame

Rose Bowl

Wednesday, January 1, 2025
5:00, ESPN
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Last Season: Michigan 27, Alabama 20 OT
Bowl Projection: 1 Ohio State vs 9 Texas A&M
Last Week: 1 Ohio State vs 9 Texas A&M

Allstate Sugar Bowl

Wednesday, January 1, 2025
8:45, ESPN
Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Last Season: Washington 37, Texas 31
Bowl Projection: 2 Alabama vs 7 Notre Dame
Last Week: 2 Georgia vs 7 Texas

College Football Playoff Semifinal Capital One Orange Bowl

Thursday, January 9, 2025
7:30, ESPN
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Last Season: Georgia 63, Florida State 3
Bowl Projection: 2 Alabama vs 11 Georgia
Last Week: 2 Georgia vs 6 Notre Dame

College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl

Friday, January 10, 2025
7:30, ESPN
AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Last Season: Missouri 14, Ohio State 3
Bowl Projection: 1 Ohio State vs 5 Oregon
Last Week: 1 Ohio State vs 5 Oregon

College Football Playoff National Championship

Monday, January 20, 2025
7:30, ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Last Season: Michigan 34, Washington 13
Bowl Projection: 1 Ohio State vs 2 Alabama
Last Week: 1 Ohio State vs 2 Georgia

CFN Bowl Projections
Dec 14-26 Bowls | Dec 27-Jan 4 Bowls