Bowl Projections and CFP Bracket Predictions Before Final 2025-26 Playoff Poll Reveal

The 2025-26 College Football Playoff field is on the verge of being officially announced with conference championship games now in the rearview mirror.

No. 3 Georgia certified its CFP spot with a 28-7 win over No. 9 Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, while No. 2 Indiana took down No. 1 Ohio State by the final score of 13-10 in the Big Ten Championship Game.

No. 4 Texas Tech also cemented its playoff status with a lopsided 34-7 win over No. 11 BYU in the Big 12 title game.

On Friday, No. 20 Tulane clinched a CFP berth as one of the four highest-ranked conference champions by wrapping up a 34-21 win over No. 24 North Texas and securing the AAC title.

Here's a look at how the rest of the playoff picture could end up.

CFP Rankings Prior to Championship Weekend

1. Ohio State
2. Indiana
3. Georgia
4. Texas Tech
5. Oregon
6. Ole Miss
7. Texas A&M
8. Oklahoma
9. Alabama
10. Notre Dame
11. BYU
12. Miami
13. Texas
14. Vanderbilt
15. Utah
16. USC
17. Virginia
18. Arizona
19. Michigan
20. Tulane
21. Houston
22. Georgia Tech
23. Iowa
24. North Texas
25. James Madison

College Football Playoff Bracket Predictions

Round 1

12. James Madison at 5. Oregon

11. Tulane at 6. Mississippi

10. Alabama at 7. Texas A&M

9. Notre Dame at 8. Oklahoma

Quarterfinals

Cotton Bowl

7. Texas A&M vs. 2. Ohio State

Orange Bowl

5. Oregon vs. 4. Texas Tech

Rose Bowl

9. Notre Dame vs. 1. Indiana

Sugar Bowl

6. Mississippi vs. 3. Georgia

Semifinals

Fiesta Bowl

4. Texas Tech vs. 1. Indiana

Peach Bowl

3. Georgia vs. 2. Ohio State

Despite Alabama's 21-point loss to Georgia, the Crimson Tide could still be able to make the playoff with 10 wins in their past 12 games.

Notre Dame wasn't in acton on Saturday, but the Fighting Irish are riding a 10-game win streak following an 0-2 start to the season and should find themselves in the CFP given their recent success.

It's worth noting that one of Notre Dame's early losses came against Miami, as the Hurricanes also boast a 10-2 record. Still, Miami has consistently been placed below Alabama and Notre Dame in each edition of the CFP rankings throughout the year and may not be able to surpass either school.

Virginia had an opportunity to contend for a playoff berth, but suffered a surprising 27-20 overtime loss to Duke in the ACC title game. With the 8-5 Blue Devils still unlikely to earn a CFP spot, the stage is set for Sun Belt champions James Madison to make the playoff as a second Group of Five school.