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College Football Playoff bracket projection: You ain't seen nothing yet in crazy race

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, October 13th 2025 at 6:44 GMT by USA Today
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The College Football Playoff (CFP) committee is poised to release its final rankings and bracket projection for the 2025 season, and the buzz in the college‑football world is already electric. In a recent U.S. Today feature, the article outlines the current landscape of the CFP field, explains the committee’s selection criteria, and offers a speculative bracket that pits traditional powerhouses against a surprising underdog in the form of Miami. The piece also highlights the role of mid‑conference teams such as Indiana, which, while unlikely to make the playoff, could influence the committee’s decision through a string of upset victories.

Selection Committee Dynamics

The CFP selection committee, made up of 12 members, meets every week after the regular season to evaluate teams on several criteria: head‑to‑head results, strength of schedule, quality wins, losses to teams outside the top 25, and conference championships. The article notes that the committee’s most recent ballot (issued after the last week of regular‑season play) lists Alabama as the #1 team, followed by Ohio State, Clemson, and Georgia in the top four spots. Miami, with a 12‑1 record that includes a dramatic upset of the #3 team, sits at #5 and is highlighted as a team that could potentially be “shoved” into the playoff if a key loss is ignored or a conference championship is considered more significant than the committee’s usual criteria.

Bracket Projection

The feature offers a visual projection of the playoff bracket based on the current standings. The top‑seeded matchup is projected to be Alabama versus Georgia, while the second matchup pits Ohio State against Clemson. Miami is shown as the “wild card” candidate that could break into the top four if the committee chooses to prioritize the strength of schedule over a single loss. Indiana, a Big Ten mid‑conference team that finished 10‑2, is positioned as a potential spoiler. A strong finish against a top‑10 opponent could elevate Indiana’s resume, making the committee consider it in its final rankings.

Team‑by‑Team Analysis

• Alabama: With an undefeated season and a dominant finish in the SEC, Alabama is widely regarded as the front‑running team. The article cites their 31‑0 win over Auburn as the final piece that cemented their #1 ranking.

• Ohio State: The Buckeyes’ 12‑1 record, featuring a win over a #2 ranked team, places them firmly in the #2 spot. The committee’s emphasis on conference championships is reflected in Ohio State’s decisive victory over Michigan.

• Clemson: Clemson’s 11‑2 record includes a win over the #3 ranked team and a narrow loss to a conference opponent. Their strong defensive metrics bolster their #3 ranking.

• Georgia: The Bulldogs finished 13‑0 and defeated a top‑five opponent in the SEC championship game, securing their place at #4.

• Miami: Miami’s 12‑1 record is highlighted for its dramatic upset of a top‑5 team and a strong finish to the season. The article discusses the committee’s potential to include Miami in the playoff, noting that the team’s high strength‑of‑schedule metrics could outweigh the single loss.

• Indiana: The article notes that Indiana’s 10‑2 record, while not enough for the playoff, could become a factor if they secure a major upset over a top‑10 opponent, potentially causing a ripple effect in the committee’s final vote.

Implications for Fans and Analysts

The U.S. Today feature emphasizes that the CFP is not a static list of teams; rather, it is a dynamic ranking that can change dramatically based on a team’s performance in the final weeks. Analysts quoted in the article argue that the committee’s willingness to “play the odds” could allow an underdog like Miami to make an unexpected run to the championship, while a mid‑conference team like Indiana could create a surprising storyline if it beats a power conference team. The article also suggests that fans who have been rooting for smaller programs might find the CFP’s unpredictability a welcome change from the previous seasons where the top four were almost guaranteed.

Links and Further Reading

The article links to the official CFP page, which offers a live update of the committee’s rankings and a downloadable PDF of the final bracket. A secondary link directs readers to a deeper analysis of Miami’s season, including game footage and statistical breakdowns. Another link to the Big Ten Conference website provides additional context on Indiana’s performance and how their schedule strength compares to other mid‑conference teams.

Conclusion

Overall, the U.S. Today piece delivers a comprehensive preview of the 2025 College Football Playoff landscape, highlighting the potential for both traditional powerhouses and unexpected contenders. With the committee’s final ballot on the horizon, the prospect of a playoff featuring Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia, and possibly Miami keeps fans on the edge of their seats. Indiana’s mention underscores that even teams outside the top four can shape the narrative and influence the final selection, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the already electric build‑up to the national championship.