This fall’s College Football Playoff will include 12 teams but is expected to jump to 16 teams in 2026. What if there was a 16-team playoff this fall?
Here is Kevin Sherrington’s projection for just such a scenario for the 2025 season:
Ohio State
Texas
Penn State
Clemson
Notre Dame
LSU
Oregon
Georgia
Alabama
Arizona State
Texas A&M
SMU
Illinois
Oklahoma
Texas Tech
Tulane
Round one of the playoffs would pit Tulane against Illinois and Oklahoma against Tech. Ohio State and Texas would have byes. Illinois and Oklahoma would advance to the second round.
In the second round of the left side of the bracket: Clemson would beat Illinois, Notre Dame would beat SMU and Georgia would beat Alabama.
In the second round of the right side of the bracket: Penn State would beat Oklahoma, LSU would beat A&M and Oregon would beat Arizona State.
In the quarterfinals on the left side: Clemson would beat Notre Dame, and Ohio State would beat Georgia.
In the quarterfinals on the right side: Penn State would beat LSU and Texas would beat Oregon.
In the semifinals on the left side: Ohio State would beat Clemson
In the semifinals on the right: Texas would beat Penn State
And Texas would beat Ohio State for the national title.
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