This fall\u2019s 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?<\/p>\n
Here is Kevin Sherrington\u2019s projection for just such a scenario for the 2025 season:<\/p>\n
Ohio State<\/p>\n
Texas<\/p>\n
Penn State<\/p>\n
Clemson<\/p>\n
Notre Dame<\/p>\n
LSU<\/p>\n
Oregon<\/p>\n
Georgia<\/p>\n
Alabama<\/p>\n
Arizona State<\/p>\n
Texas A&M<\/p>\n
SMU<\/p>\n
Illinois<\/p>\n
Oklahoma<\/p>\n
Texas Tech<\/p>\n
Tulane<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In the quarterfinals on the left side: Clemson would beat Notre Dame, and Ohio State would beat Georgia.<\/p>\n
In the quarterfinals on the right side: Penn State would beat LSU and Texas would beat Oregon.<\/p>\n
In the semifinals on the left side: Ohio State would beat Clemson<\/p>\n
In the semifinals on the right: Texas would beat Penn State<\/p>\n
And Texas would beat Ohio State for the national title.<\/p>\n