College Football Playoff 2024-25: Projected Bracket Following Week 4 AP Top 25 Poll

Zach BacharContributor ISeptember 16, 2024

Tim Warner/Getty Images

After the latest AP Top 25 was released, the updated projections for the College Football Playoff were revealed by the Associated Press.

No. 1 Texas moved into the top spot following a dominant 56-7 win over UTSA on Saturday, pushing fellow SEC contender Georgia down to the No. 5 playoff berth. While the Bulldogs only fell to No. 2 in the AP poll, the top four seeds in the CFP will be given to the highest-ranked conference champions regardless of their overall ranking.

The remaining three top postseason spots didn’t change, as Ohio State, Miami and Utah are still projected to win their respective conferences.

Projected Bracket

First-Round Byes

No. 1 TexasNo. 2 Ohio StateNo. 3 MiamiNo. 4 UtahFirst-Round Matchups

No. 9 Missouri vs. No. 8 TennesseeNo. 12 NIU vs. No. 5 GeorgiaNo. 10 Oregon vs. No. 7 Ole MissNo. 11 Penn State vs. No. 6 AlabamaAll 12 teams from the Week 3 projections are still expected to earn a spot in the CFP by the end of the year, although the seeding has changed. No. 9 Missouri and No. 8 Tennessee swapped places compared to the prior bracket, while No. 10 Oregon and No. 11 Penn State also switched spots.

Six SEC teams are currently projected to earn spots in the CFP, the most of any conference. The Big Ten ranks No. 2 with three teams in the bracket.

Georgia remained undefeated on Saturday, but head coach Kirby Smart’s team looked shaky during a narrow 13-12 win over Kentucky. The Bulldogs were out-gained 284-262 by the Wildcats, escaping with a victory after trailing by three points at halftime.

Meanwhile, an oblique strain for quarterback Quinn Ewers didn’t stop the Longhorns’ offense. Arch Manning, the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class, surpassed expectations in extended action. Manning finished 9-of-12 for 223 yards and four touchdowns, adding another score on the ground.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportARCH MANNING TAKES IT A CAREER LONG 67 YARDS TO THE HOUSE 😱

(via @TexasFootball)
pic.twitter.com/Critoviw3Y

Utah and Miami were able to maintain spots in the top four by picking up double-digit victories in Week 3, with both teams winning by at least three scores over Utah State and Ball State, respectively. Ohio State didn’t compete over the weekend but the Buckeyes still sit at 2-0 following blowout wins over Akron and Western Michigan.

With a busy slate approaching over the next few weeks that includes a matchup between Georgia and Alabama on Sept. 28, there could be much more movement in the CFP projections coming soon.