B/R's 2026 College Football Playoff Bracket Projections and Predictions after Week 8

In the 2026 college football season, an unexpected result is always around the corner.

Week 7 brought a truly historic wave of upsets as five of the seven highest-ranked teams in the country lost. Week 8 continued the trend with three unbeaten teams falling, as did a few other Top 25 programs.

So, yet again, the College Football Playoff outlook has shifted considerably in the aftermath of Saturday's slate.

Including Kentucky?!

The projected bracket is a reflection of B/R's Top 25 dropped into the organization of the official CFP format.

Key Results in Week 8

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Cincinnati 37, Texas Tech 24; UCF 39, BYU 31 (2OT)

Three undefeated teams entered the weekend in the Big 12, and only one emerged unbeaten. More on that team later. Texas Tech and BYU, however, suffered their first losses in Week 8. Cincinnati dropped a vengeful hammer on Texas Tech, and UCF rode a backup QB to an upset of BYU.

Texas 34, Ole Miss 27

Despite blowing a 24-3 halftime lead, botching an onside-kick recovery, committing 14 penalties and getting three turnovers from Arch Manning, Texas managed to outlast Ole Miss. Both teams are now 5-2, teetering on the edge of the Playoff bubble with a nerve-testing month on the horizon.

Utah 21, Houston 13

Thanks to those losses by Texas Tech and BYU, Utah had an opportunity to stand alone atop the Big 12. It wasn't pretty Saturday night, but it was effective. Utah's defense repeatedly came up clutch in the fourth quarter, forcing two punts, recovering a fumble and securing a game-sealing turnover on downs.

B/R's Top 25 After Week 8

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1. Miami
2. Ohio State
3. Georgia
4. Indiana
5. Utah
6. BYU
7. UCLA
8. Notre Dame
9. Kentucky
10. LSU
11. Tennessee
12. Alabama
13. Texas
14. Ole Miss
15. Arizona
16. Wake Forest
17. Boise State
18. SMU
19. Texas Tech
20. Florida
21. Northwestern
22. Houston
23. Wisconsin
24. USC
25. UTSA

Post-Week 8 CFP Picture

Seeding is a reflection of how B/R's Top 25 would shape the bracket.

Power 4 Champions and Top Group of 6 Team

1. Miami (ACC)
2. Ohio State (Big Ten)
3. Georgia (SEC)
4. Utah (Big 12)
5. Boise State (Pac-12)

At-Large Bids

1. Indiana (Big Ten)
2. BYU (Big 12)
3. UCLA (Big Ten)
4. Notre Dame (Independent)
5. Kentucky (SEC)
6. LSU (SEC)
7. Tennessee (SEC)

Kentucky?! Kentucky!

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Kenny Minchey

At this point, you've probably read or heard what new Kentucky coach Will Stein said at SEC media days this summer.

Why can this program win?

"Because of me," Stein said. "I know what it takes. I have seen it at the highest levels. I know what it takes to recruit at this level. You just got to believe. Is it going to happen overnight? I don't know."

Two months into his first season, the Cats are 7-1. They've knocked off Texas A&M, South Carolina, LSU, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt in SEC action.

And they are, officially, atop the conference heading into an idle weekend.

Let's be clear: November is a gauntlet, with Tennessee, Florida, Missouri and rival Louisville still on the schedule. Even if unlikely, a slide to 7-5 or 8-4 remains possible.

Stein, nevertheless, has engineered an incredible overnight rise in Lexington.

Impact Games in Week 9

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Gunner Stockton

Arizona at Texas Tech

Following the dramatic week in the Big 12, Texas Tech—the undisputed villain of the CFB offseason—is now facing a must-win moment. Arizona, meanwhile, has quietly posted an identical 6-1 record and could effectively bounce the Red Raiders from the CFP conversation with a road win.

Florida at Georgia

Last time out, Florida put together a stunning comeback to beat Texas on the road. On the other hand, Georgia shockingly fell at home to rival Auburn. The expectation is UGA wins, but does Florida have another upset in store?

Ohio State at USC

Here comes the starting debut of Ohio State freshman Luke Fahey, who's taking over for an injured Julian Sayin. The good news is Fahey can spam superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith with targets. However, a trip to USC—even as the Trojans are reeling—will be a challenge for the Buckeyes' temporary QB1.