College Football Playoff Bracket Projections and Predictions After Week 3

The farther we get into the 2025 college football campaign, the more our offseason perceptions will be reinforced—or shattered.

Sorry 'bout it, Clemson and Notre Dame.

But as the reigning ACC champion took a notable loss, SEC powerhouse Georgia earned a massive win over rival Tennessee. Miami picked up a solid victory opposite an upstart South Florida squad, as well.

Those results had the greatest impact on the nation's still-very-early walk toward the College Football Playoff.

The projections for the CFP bracket are based on the latest B/R Top 25, which both recent results have shaped and upcoming games will change.

Key Results in Week 3

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Haynes King

Georgia Tech 24, Clemson 21

Mo-oooom, the Jackets did it again. Since the program turned to Brent Key, Georgia Tech is 7-1 against ranked ACC opponents. Aidan Birr drilled a 55-yard field goal as time expired to give GT another upset win. Georgia Tech is officially a serious threat to compete for an ACC title this season.

Georgia 44, Tennessee 41 (OT)

In a dramatic back-and-forth affair, UGA pulled out a ninth consecutive win over Tennessee. Gunner Stockton accounted for 342 yards and three scores, highlighted by a clutch 28-yard touchdown and two-point conversion to force overtime. Georgia, which has an idle weekend to prepare for a clash with Alabama, reinforced its status as a premier national contender.

Miami 49, South Florida 12

Not since 1987 Miami had a team rattled off three straight Top 25 wins to begin a season, and 2025 Miami prevented USF from achieving it. Save for a minor lull on offense—and an extended lightning delay—the 'Canes dominated the whole game, racked up nearly 600 offensive yards and jumped to 3-0.

Texas A&M 41, Notre Dame 40

Marcel Reed lofted a desperation pass to Nate Boerkircher on 4th-and-goal in the final seconds, and he made a remarkable catch to give the Aggies a decisive 11-yard touchdown and wild one-point victory in South Bend.

B/R's Top 25 After Week 3

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Mark Fletcher Jr.

1. Ohio State
2. Georgia
3. Penn State
4. LSU
5. Miami
6. Oregon
7. Texas A&M
8. Florida State
9. Texas
10. Oklahoma
11. Illinois
12. Iowa State
13. Tennessee
14. Ole Miss
15. Alabama
16. Texas Tech
17. Utah
18. Indiana
19. Missouri
20. Georgia Tech
21. Vanderbilt
22. Louisville
23. Auburn
24. Michigan
25. South Carolina

Post-Week 3 CFP Picture

B/R

Bracket Format

Automatic bids: The highest-ranked team within five conferences. (Ultimately, the league champion will receive an auto-bid.)

1. Ohio State (No. 1, Big Ten)
2. Georgia (No. 2, SEC)
3. Miami (No. 5, ACC)
4. Iowa State (No. 12, Big 12)
5. South Florida (NR, American)

At-large bids: The next seven highest-ranked teams in the country.

1. Penn State (No. 3)
2. LSU (No. 4)
3. Oregon (No. 6)
4. Texas A&M (No. 7)
5. Florida State (No. 8)
6. Texas (No. 9)
7. Oklahoma (No. 10)

Rankings are based on latest B/R Top 25.

Panic Meter

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Joey Aguilar

Notre Dame: 9

What a brutal way to lose. After scoring a late go-ahead touchdown, Notre Dame missed an extra point, gave up a touchdown on 4th-and-goal and lost a heart-breaking game to Texas A&M 41-40. That drops the Irish to 0-2, and they're already fighting for their Playoff lives in mid-September.

Clemson: 8

Through three games, Clemson has played a stunning amount below the level of a genuine contender. At no point has this talent-rich offense come close to its potential, and a couple of turnovers crushed the Tigers in Saturday's loss at Georgia Tech. The schedule isn't daunting, but belief in a turnaround is more based on Clemson's reputation than its actual performance so far.

South Carolina: 6

Star quarterback LaNorris Sellers took a hit to the helmet, left the game and didn't return. His absence played a key role in Vanderbilt cruising to a 31-7 upset over the Gamecocks, who travel to face a ranked Missouri team in Week 4.

Tennessee: 2

If that version of the Vols continues to show up, they'll win plenty of games. They generated 496 offensive yards in a tight loss to what's probably an elite UGA team. Yes, it was a missed opportunity, but a favorable remaining slate means UT should stay in the hunt for the College Football Playoff.

Impact Games in Week 4

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Devon Dampier

Big Ten: Illinois at Indiana

Ohio State, Penn State and Oregon are atop the Big Ten hierarchy, but one of these programs is going to leave Week 4 as a leading chaser. The winner will secure a key conference victory while improving to 4-0.

Big 12: Texas Tech at Utah

On one sideline, we have a Texas Tech offense averaging 58 points. On the other, there's a Utah defense surrendering just 8.3 points per contest. It's a fascinating clash of styles with a valuable, tone-setting Big 12 triumph at stake.

SEC: Auburn at Oklahoma

Similar to the Big Ten showdown at Indiana, this is a critical second-tier contest in the SEC. The reality is the losing team will be facing an uphill climb to staying in what's destined to be a tight conference race.