The conclusion of the regular college football season has clarified the postseason landscape, with teams now preparing for the upcoming College Football Playoff (CFP) and a series of bowl games. While 18 teams gear up for conference championship games, the race for playoff spots is heating up. Notably, the College Football Playoff structure remains consistent with last year’s inaugural 12-team format, allowing for an exciting conclusion to the season.
As the regular season wrapped up, only a few surprises emerged during Rivalry Week among the contenders for the CFP. A total of 82 teams have now achieved bowl eligibility, leading to the addition of an extra bowl game this year. The selection process will see the five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams making the playoff. This year, the top four ranked teams will receive first-round byes, while the remaining eight will compete in first-round matchups hosted at the campuses of seeds Nos. 5 through 8.
The quarterfinals and semifinals are scheduled to take place in the traditional New Year’s Six bowls, culminating in the national championship game on January 19, 2024, at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. In addition to the playoff, there is a full slate of 36 bowl games beginning with the Cricket Celebration Bowl on December 13.
Projected Matchups for the CFP First Round
ESPN analysts Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach have shared their projections for the playoff matchups. The first-round games are set for December 19 and December 20. Bonagura predicts a matchup between No. 12 North Texas and No. 5 Texas A&M, while Schlabach foresees No. 12 Tulane facing off against No. 5 Oregon.
Other anticipated matchups include No. 11 Virginia against No. 6 Oregon, as projected by Bonagura, and No. 10 Alabama going up against No. 7 Ole Miss. Schlabach aligns his predictions with Bonagura for several other key matchups, including No. 9 Notre Dame against No. 8 Oklahoma.
Key Storylines Heading into Championship Week
Several intriguing storylines are unfolding as teams prepare for their respective conference championship games. The ACC title game features a potential doomsday scenario for the conference, with five-loss Duke qualifying for the championship. If Duke defeats Virginia, they could complicate the playoff picture, potentially impacting the selection of at-large teams.
In the Sun Belt conference, James Madison, boasting an 11-1 record, faces Troy, while the Mountain West title game will feature UNLV, which has a chance to avenge an earlier defeat against Boise State. The selection committee will have tough decisions to make, especially if James Madison emerges victorious.
Schlabach noted that Texas’ recent upset of Texas A&M has reshaped the playoff bracket, emphasizing that the Aggies, despite having a strong season, may not retain a top-four ranking following their first loss. Virginia’s impressive performance against Virginia Tech has positioned them as a potential ACC champion.
As teams prepare for the CFP semifinals and the national championship game, the matchup predictions continue to evolve. The semifinals are set for January 8 and January 9, with the national championship game scheduled for January 19.
With the postseason upon us and the stakes higher than ever, college football fans are eagerly anticipating the exciting matchups ahead. The playoff structure and bowl season promise to deliver thrilling action and memorable moments as teams vie for national prominence.
