CFB Playoff Picture 2024-25: Updated Standings and Bracket Predictions After Week 4

The Michigan Wolverines and Utah Utes shook up the College Football Playoff conversation with statement wins on Saturday afternoon.

Michigan reclaimed its spot in the mix for the Big Ten title with a home win over the USC Trojans.

Utah went into Stillwater and asserted itself among the Big 12's elite programs with a victory over the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

The race for the Group of Five berth was shaken up as well, as the Northern Illinois Huskies and Memphis Tigers were both upset.

Some of Saturday's most important winners will not make in-roads into the category of elite teams yet.

The Tennessee Volunteers, Miami Hurricanes and others took care of business in Week 4 to remain in comfortable positions in relation to the playoff.

Updated CFB Playoff Bracket Prediction

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LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 14: Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) audibles during the college football game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Kentucky Wildcats on September 14, 2024, at Common Wealth Stadium in Lexington, KY. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Conference Champions

1. Georgia (SEC champion)

2. Ohio State (Big Ten champion)

3. Miami (ACC champion)

4. Utah (Big 12 champion)

First Round Projection

No. 12 Boise State vs. No. 5 Texas

No. 11 Oklahoma State vs. No. 6 Ole Miss

No. 10 Penn State vs. No. 7 Tennessee

No. 9 Oregon vs. No. 8 Alabama

Michigan Pushes Back into Playoff Conversation

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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 21: Donovan Edwards #7 of the Michigan Wolverines runs with the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter during a game against the USC Trojans at Michigan Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

Michigan brought itself right back into the Big Ten title conversation with its last-minute win over USC.

The Wolverines went back to their trademark rushing attack to wear down the Trojans. Kalel Mullings ran for 159 of the team's 290 rushing yards.

New starting quarterback Alex Orji only threw for 32 yards, and while he will have to throw more in the coming weeks, the low yardage total fit in with Saturday's game plan.

The Wolverines also put USC quarterback Miller Moss under pressure for most of the second half to remain within one possession.

Michigan now has a Top 25 win to neutralize its home loss to the Texas Longhorns, who might be the best team in the FBS.

Sherrone Moore's team will get back into the Top 15 in the new AP poll and it could be back inside the Top 10 by the time its next Top 25 battle with the Illinois Fighting Illini rolls around on October 19.

Utah Looks Like Clear Big 12 Favorite

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LOGAN, UT - SEPTEMBER 14: Isaac Wilson #11 of the Utah Utes, drops back in the pocket against the Utah State Aggies during the first half of their game at Maverik Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Logan, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

Utah came away from Saturday as the biggest winner in the Big 12.

The Utes conquered Oklahoma State in Stillwater and received a nice late-night present from their biggest rival, the BYU Cougars, who upset the Kansas State Wildcats.

Utah and K-State could have left the weekend as the clear one-two on top of the Big 12 standings, but now it is the Utes who look comfort sitting above everyone else.

Kyle Whittingham's team now gets to sit back and watch OK State and K-State battle it out next week with some desperation in the air. A second Big 12 loss this early in the season could doom the playoff fate of both sides.

Utah only has one ranked foe, the Iowa State Cyclones, left on its regular-season schedule, so as long as it keeps playing like it did on Saturday, it will cruise into the Big 12 Championship Game.

Memphis, Northern Illinois Losses Open Up Group of Five Picture

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TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 14: Wide Receiver Koby Drake #10 of the Memphis Tigers on a catch and run during the game against the Florida State Seminoles 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)

The race for the Group of Five playoff berth got murkier after Saturday's results.

Northern Illinois appeared to be at the front of the MAC when it beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Week 2, but it failed to win its conference opener against the Buffalo Bulls on Saturday.

NIU can still be in the playoff mix if it wins out, but it will need to work much harder to get back into the Top 25 with wins in the MAC.

Memphis can find itself in the same situation after losing to the Navy Midshipmen. The Tigers vaulted on to the national radar with a road win over the Florida State Seminoles last week, but they erased their goodwill with the playoff selection committee by losing in Annapoils.

The Boise State Broncos and UNLV Rebels are the best candidates to be ranked ahead of Week 5 from the Group of Five.

For now, it looks like the Mountain West pair are the front-runners for a playoff berth, but as we saw on Saturday, anything can change within one week.