2026 Bowl Predictions and Projecting CFP Playoff Bracket Field After Week 11 Games

The 2026-27 College Football Playoff picture became clearer as Week 11 unfolded on Saturday.

While there weren't any major upsets to start the day, several schools increased their chances of clinching one of the 12 playoff spots by avoiding any shocking losses.

In the SEC, Texas trailed LSU 21-10 in the third quarter before ultimately securing a 22-21 win after Arch Manning found Raleek Brown for a game-winning touchdown with three seconds left in the fourth.

The Longhorns were able to overcome a three-interception performance by Manning to emerge victorious and help solidify their playoff chances.

As for the Big Ten, Indiana kept its quest for a second consecutive national championship alive by picking up a 27-13 win over USC. The game was closer than the final score indicates, as both teams were tied 13-13 late in the third quarter.

Hoosiers running back Khobie Martin eventually scored a touchdown just before the end of the third to give his team a seven-point lead before Indiana's defense stepped up in the fourth. USC's final three possessions of the game ended with a missed field goal and two interceptions.

BYU entered Week 11 on the fringes of the CFP picture after suffering two losses in its past three games, but the Cougars bolstered their case for a playoff spot with a dominant 28-7 win over Baylor.

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier headed into the Big 12 matchup with interceptions in each of his prior four games, although he played mistake-free football on Saturday.

Bachmeier finished 14-of-24 for 104 yards while rushing for 54 yards, recording four total touchdowns without committing a turnover.

The teams near the top of the latest CFP rankings picked up convincing wins in Week 11 as they looked to earn automatic first-round byes.

Georgia defeated Missouri by the final score of 48-21, while Alabama wrapped up a 21-6 victory over Vanderbilt. Notre Dame also cruised to a 41-7 win over Boston College.

With conference championship games drawing closer, here's a prediction for the CFP bracket field:

First Round

No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Notre Dame

No. 11 Texas Tech at No. 6 Texas

No. 10 BYU at No. 7 Indiana

No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Miami

First-Round Byes

No. 1 Georgia

No. 2 Utah

No. 3 Alabama

No. 4 UCLA