Chaos in the CFP: Projecting the Final Four Seeds and Bubble Teams for Championship Week

Projecting the Top Four Seeds 1. **Michigan (12-0)**: After an undefeated regular season, Michigan solidifies its place as the top seed. The Wolverines have showcased a dominant defense and a balanced offense, making them a formidable contender in the playoff. 2. **Washington (12-0)**: The Huskies have also navigated their schedule unscathed, boasting a potent offense led by a Heisman-caliber quarterback. Their strong performance in the Pac-12 positions them well for a high seed. 3. **Texas (11-1)**: With a lone loss and a win over Alabama earlier this season, Texas has earned its spot in the top four. Their strong resume and impressive performances against ranked opponents make them a serious contender. 4. **Clemson (9-3)**: Despite a disappointing home loss to South Carolina, Clemson’s path to the CFP is clear if they can secure a victory in the ACC Championship against SMU. Dabo Swinney’s track record in championship games enhances their chances significantly. First-Round Matchups As the playoff field expands to 12 teams, here’s how the first-round matchups could shape up: - **(5) Alabama vs. (12) Miami**: A clash of SEC and ACC titans, this matchup would feature Alabama’s storied playoff experience against a Miami team that struggled against ranked opponents. - **(6) Oregon vs. (11) Ole Miss**: Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance this season, making this a highly competitive matchup that could go either way. - **(7) South Carolina vs. (10) Missouri**: A battle of SEC rivals, this matchup would see two teams looking to make a statement in the postseason. - **(8) SMU vs. (9) Florida State**: If Clemson loses the ACC Championship, SMU could potentially slide into the playoff as a strong at-large candidate. The Bubble Teams With the playoff field expanding, several teams are vying for the final spots, creating a compelling narrative heading into championship week. Alabama, sitting with a three-loss record, is in a unique position. Their wins against ranked opponents bolster their case, especially in light of last year's Florida State debacle, which saw a one-loss team excluded from the playoffs. Meanwhile, Miami, despite a better record, lacks a signature victory, putting them at risk of being left out. Other contenders like Ole Miss and South Carolina are also in the mix, but with three losses each, their paths are more complicated.