CFB Playoff Picture 2024-25: Updated Standings and Bracket Predictions After Week 3

The Missouri Tigers and a few other FBS programs delivered some statements about their College Football Playoff intentions in Week 3's afternoon windows.

Mizzou benefited from a 100-yard receiving day out of Luther Burden to gain a Top 25 win over the Boston College Eagles.

Mizzou will face much tougher tests in SEC play, but it can't ask for a much better start through three games.

The Alabama Crimson Tide added a dominant win over the Wisconsin Badgers to growing list of impressive early-season SEC victories.

Nothing changed in Week 3 regarding the hierarchy in the SEC because the Georgia Bulldogs survived an upset bid by the Kentucky Wildcats. That will change in two weeks when UGA visits Bama.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish rebounded with a blowout road win over the Purdue Boilermakers to at least remain afloat in the playoff discussion.

The Oregon Ducks won their first two games, but underwhelmed in those wins. They showcased their potential in a huge rivalry win over the Oregon State Beavers.

Week 3 also brought us some clarity in the competition for the one Group of Five playoff spot. The Memphis Tigers moved to the front of the line with a road win over the Florida State Seminoles, who kissed their playoff hopes goodbye on Saturday.

Week 3 CFB Playoff Predictions

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MANHATTAN, KANSAS - SEPTEMBER 13: Avery Johnson #2 of the Kansas State Wildcats throws during a game against Arizona Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on September 13, 2024 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

First-Round Byes

1. Georgia (SEC champion)

2. Ohio State (Big Ten champion)

3. Miami (ACC champion)

4. Kansas State (Big 12 champion)

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First-Round Matchups

No. 12 Memphis vs. No. 5 Texas

No. 11 Notre Dame vs. No. 6 Alabama

No. 10 Oklahoma State vs. No. 7 Penn State

No. 9 Oregon vs. No. 8 Missouri

Missouri, Alabama Flex Strength of SEC

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MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 14: Jam Miller #26 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs for a 34 yard touchdown run in the third quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Alabama and Missouri picked up two more impressive nonconference victories for the SEC on Saturday.

The Crimson Tide and Tigers were both expected to win, but the way in which Bama dominated Wisconsin and how Mizzou battled with Boston College showed the strength the SEC has as a whole.

Alabama's win over Wisconsin will not mean much for the overall playoff landscape since its five SEC games against Top 25 foes will determined its fate.

However, the victory did show how impressive the Crimson Tide can look at their best, and that is important for the Week 5 battle with the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Tuscaloosa.

Missouri's offense was not as explosive as it was in the first two weeks, but it still got some big plays out of Luther Burden and Theo Wease to put away Boston College.

The Tigers only have two tough games left on their schedule against Alabama and the Oklahoma Sooners, so their playoff path is a bit clearer.

Saturday's win over Boston College counts as a Top 25 win now, and with the way the ACC is breaking, it could look better by November.

An extra Top 25 win never hurts, and it may come in handy if it splits its games against Bama and Oklahoma.

Notre Dame Bounces Back, Stays in Playoff Discussion

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WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 14: Jeremiyah Love #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the ball for a touchdown during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 14, 2024 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Notre Dame may need to win in the same blowout fashion it did on Saturday for the rest of the season.

The Fighting Irish took out all of their frustration on the Purdue Boilermakers after losing at home to the Northern Illinois Huskies in Week 2.

Notre Dame entered Week 3 at No. 18 in the AP Top 25. The Irish's schedule looks easy and they will move up once the SEC and Big Ten teams start playing each other.

Marcus Freeman's team is not guaranteed to make the 12-team playoff because of its weak schedule and unexpected loss to NIU, but it is at least still in the discussion.

A few more massive wins may catch the attention of the CFB Playoff selection committee, but for now, all the Irish can do is win more games and move up in the polls.

Memphis Stakes Claim as Best Group of Five Team

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TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 14: Quarterback Seth Henigan #9 of the Memphis Tigers is forced out the pocket by Defensive End Marvin Jones Jr. #7 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 14, 2024 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Seminoles 20 to 12. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

A win over Florida State does not mean as much as it did a month ago, but it is still impressive to see what the Memphis Tigers did in Tallahassee on Saturday.

Memphis moved to 3-0 with its 20-12 victory on a nationally-televised stage to catch the attention of the playoff committee.

Memphis is one of the most experienced teams in the FBS and it should be in the mix for the American Athletic Conference title.

At minimum, the Tigers should be on the fringe of the Top 25 once the latest rankings come out on Sunday.

The Liberty Flames from Conference USA, Northern Illinois and UNLV Rebels, who beat Kansas on Friday, are among the early front-runners as well for the Group of Five playoff position.