The first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff bracket has been set, with undefeated Oregon securing the No. 1 seed and Georgia claiming the No. 2 spot.
The first round kicks off on December 20, with 10-seed Indiana facing 7-seed Notre Dame, followed by three more matchups on December 21. Here’s a prediction for every game leading to the crowning of the national champion.
First Round:
- Texas defeats Clemson 27-10
- Ohio State defeats Tennessee 38-35
- Penn State defeats SMU 17-14
- Indiana defeats Notre Dame 31-27
The standout game of the first round is Ohio State vs. Tennessee, with Ohio State edging Tennessee on a last-second field goal in a high-scoring thriller. Texas takes care of 12-seed Clemson with ease, while Penn State handles SMU in a low-scoring affair. The only upset comes when Indiana defeats Notre Dame, who, despite their 10-game win streak, falter against the Hoosiers.
Quarterfinals:
- Texas defeats Arizona State 34-14
- Oregon defeats Ohio State 31-21
- Penn State defeats Boise State 24-13
- Georgia defeats Indiana 28-17
In the quarterfinals, the top seeds dominate, with Texas overcoming Arizona State, Oregon beating Ohio State in a rematch of an earlier season loss, and Penn State dispatching Boise State. Georgia handles Indiana, despite some question marks about quarterback Carson Beck’s health.
Semifinals:
- Oregon defeats Texas 27-24
- Georgia defeats Penn State 24-6
Georgia cruises to a blowout win over Penn State, as their elite defense stifles the Nittany Lions. The other semifinal is a thrilling, back-and-forth contest between Oregon and Texas, but the Ducks come out on top, advancing to the National Championship with a chance to become the first-ever 16-0 team in college football history.
National Championship:
Oregon defeats Georgia 31-30
Georgia’s defense has been dominant so far, but facing Oregon in the National Championship will be a different challenge. The game will hinge on the health of Georgia’s quarterback Carson Beck, who is uncertain after an injury in the SEC Championship. Oregon’s high-paced offense and solid defense will be too much for Georgia, even if Beck plays, and the Ducks secure a narrow victory, achieving a historic 16-0 season.
