NCAA
College Football Playoff: Week 7 CFP Bracket & Predictions
Colin Lynch covers the NFL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the New England Patriots. His sports coverage has been featured on The Sports Daily and Basketball Insiders, as well as FanSided's Chowder & Champions. A New Hampshire native and former D1 baseball player at St. John's University, Colin was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008 and enjoyed a four-year professional baseball career.
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The College Football Playoffs have brought new excitement and vigor to the 2024 college football season. Check out our College Football Playoff bracket and predictions after Week 7.
As the college football season nears its most crucial stretch, the anticipation builds. The first official College Football Playoff rankings are just weeks away, and this year, they carry even more weight. With the playoff expanding to 12 teams for the first time, the stakes are higher, the moments more meaningful.
Each week brings us closer to that November 5th release, where the landscape of college football will take its clearest shape yet. But until then, we rely on what we have—the AP Top 25. While the CFP rankings and the AP poll will likely diverge at points, history shows that, by season’s end, they often align in their assessment of the nation’s best.
At the halfway mark of the 2024 season, the playoff picture is starting to come into focus. Teams have fought, clawed, and endured, each battling for one of those 12 coveted spots. For some, the path has been clear. For others, it’s been a journey of resilience. But in the end, every snap, every play, every decision has led them to this point.
This is what the field looks like today—a snapshot of the season so far, with everything still to play for. And as we edge closer to the official rankings, the excitement only grows. Because in college football, it’s not just about the destination—it’s about the journey to get there.
Preseason Predictions Still Look Promising
In my preseason College Football Playoff Predictions, I predicted that the Texas Longhorns would meet the Oregon Ducks in the national championship game. I had them seeded No. 6 and No. 5 in our College Football Playoff predictions, believing they could rise to meet the challenge and make a run to the title game. Now, as we arrive at Week 7, those same Longhorns and Ducks sit atop the college football world, ranked No. 1 and No. 2. The vision, it seems, is coming into focus.
But this journey is far from over. In a season filled with twists, my final four—Georgia, Texas, Ohio State, and Oregon—have all proven worthy, each team ranked within the top of the AP Top 25. The preseason predictions felt bold then. Now, they feel like those teams are playing some of the best football in the country.
Yet, this sport is never about guarantees. It’s about belief. It’s about teams embracing their potential and chasing greatness. And as the season unfolds, we’ll watch these programs fight not just to hold their rankings but to write their legacy.
In college football, everything can change in a moment. But for now, the dream of seeing Texas and Oregon in the national title game feels closer than ever. The story, once imagined, is on the verge of becoming real. And for that, I’ll take it.
With that said, I feel like the Longhorns may fall to Georgia this weekend in a battle between the country’s No. 1 and No. 5 ranked teams.
Let’s check out our updated college football playoff predictions.
Updated College Football Playoff Bracket
Top 4 Seeds to Earn Byes
No. 1 Seed – Oregon Ducks – Big Ten Champions
No. 2 Seed – Georgia Bulldogs – SEC Champions
No. 3 Seed – Miami Hurricanes – ACC Champions
No. 4 Seed –Kansas State Wildcats– Big 12 Champions
First-Round Host Teams (Seeds 5-8)
No. 5 Seed – Ohio State Buckeyes – At-Large Bid (Big Ten)
No. 6 Seed – Texas Longhorns – At-Large Bid (SEC)
No. 7 Seed – Alabama Crimson Tide – At-Large Bid (SEC)
No. 8 Seed – Clemson Tigers – At-Large Bid (ACC)
First-Round Away Teams (Seeds 9-12)
No. 9 Seed – Penn State Nittany Lions – At-Large Bid (Big Ten)
No. 10 Seed – Iowa State Cyclones – At-Large Bid (Big 12)
No. 11 Seed – LSU Tigers – At-Large Bid (SEC)
No. 12 Seed – Boise State Broncos – Top Ranked Group of 5
First Round Matchups
No. 9 Penn State @ No. 8 Clemson
No. 12 Boise State @ No. 5 Ohio State
No 10. Iowa State @ No. 7 Alabama
No. 11 LSU @ No. 6 Texas
Predicting the First-Round
No. 9 Penn State @ No. 8 Clemson
Clemson hosts Penn State in a first-round clash filled with history and anticipation. The Tigers, slow to start in 2024, have found their stride thanks to the emergence of quarterback Cade Klubnik. As the season has progressed, Klubnik has breathed new life into Clemson’s offense, turning question marks into confidence.
Penn State, built on toughness and defense, brings a battle-tested mentality into the matchup. But while their grit is undeniable, they don’t have the offensive firepower to keep pace with a Tigers team that’s hitting its stride at just the right time.
This game is more than just advancing for Clemson—it’s a testament to their resurgence. With Klubnik leading the way, the Tigers are proving they’re ready for bigger moments, and as they take the field, they do so with the belief that this journey is far from over.
Clemson 27 – Penn State 17
PSA: Stay out of @PhilMafah1's way. 👑 pic.twitter.com/6nkSENGSj3
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) October 15, 2024
No. 12 Boise State @ No. 5 Ohio State
Ashton Jeanty’s brilliance has captivated the nation, making him a leading contender for the Heisman in 2024. However, as he faces Ohio State, even his remarkable talent may not be enough. The Buckeyes are simply too well-rounded, with depth and dominance on both sides of the ball. In a season where every moment matters, Ohio State’s balance and firepower will prove decisive. Jeanty’s story isn’t over, but tonight belongs to the Buckeyes. They roll on with their eyes firmly set on the next round.
Ohio State 41 – Boise State 20
No 10. Iowa State @ No. 7 Alabama
Iowa State’s journey this season has been nothing short of impressive, a testament to their resilience and determination. But now, they face their toughest challenge yet—going on the road to Tuscaloosa to face Ryan Williams, Jalen Milroe, and a Crimson Tide team hitting its stride. In the shadow of Bryant-Denny Stadium, the task proves too tall. Alabama, with its firepower and depth, stands ready. Roll Tide.
Alabama 34 – Iowa State 13
No. 11 LSU @ No. 6 Texas
This is the marquee matchup of the first round—a clash of two battle-hardened SEC teams loaded with firepower and athleticism at every position. Both teams enter the game ready for a fight, but it’s the Tigers who push the Longhorns to the brink, delivering a scare Texas won’t soon forget. In the end, though, it’s Quinn Ewers who rises to the moment once again, leading Texas to another signature victory on their quest for glory.
Texas 37 – LSU 34
Predicting the Quarterfinals
No. 1 Oregon vs No. 8 Clemson
Oregon and Clemson meet in the Sugar Bowl, a showdown of two powerhouse programs. With their trademark grit, Clemson faces a Ducks offense that can match them stride for stride. Early on, it’s a battle, with both teams trading blows. But as the game wears on, Oregon shakes off the rust from the bye week, and the second half belongs to them. With explosive plays and relentless speed, the Ducks pull away, leaving the Tigers in their wake. Ultimately, Oregon’s firepower proves too much, and they surge ahead, setting the stage for the next chapter of their journey.
Oregon 38 – Clemson 24
THE DUCK IS CROWDSURFING THE FIELD STORM 🔥🦆@oregonfootball pic.twitter.com/Y42g4946b1
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 13, 2024
No. 5 Ohio State vs. No. 4 Kansas State
The Buckeyes’ road to the semifinals isn’t the most daunting, and they approach it with quiet confidence. Facing a familiar foe, Will Howard rises to the occasion, dispatching his former squad with poise and precision. Ohio State, methodical and focused, takes care of business, never letting the moment slip away. With their eyes firmly set on the prize, they move on to the semifinals—one step closer to the ultimate goal.
Ohio State 30 – Kansas State 16
No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Alabama
It feels like this rematch should unfold under the bright lights of Atlanta in the Sugar Bowl, but instead, Hollywood sets the stage for this sequel in the Rose Bowl. Georgia and Alabama—two titans of the modern college football era—meet again, writing another epic chapter in a rivalry that has delivered some of the most thrilling moments in recent memory. The stakes are high, the history-rich, but this time it’s Carson Beck’s calm and steady hand that guides the Dawgs to victory. In a game full of drama and intensity, Georgia finally takes down Alabama.
INTERCEPTION OF THE YEAR?! 🤯
THIS PICK WAS ABSURD.
(via @GeorgiaFootball) pic.twitter.com/0MVRfVYBjO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 31, 2024
Georgia 27 – Alabama 24
No. 3 Miami vs. No. 6 Texas
Cam Ward, coming off one of the finest regular seasons of any quarterback in the nation, steps into the spotlight with Miami in the Peach Bowl. But his Hurricanes run into a Texas team that is relentless on both sides of the ball. In a game marked by big plays and momentum swings, the Longhorns ultimately prove too much. Despite Ward’s efforts, it’s Texas that outlasts Miami, their resilience carrying them to victory and one step closer to the ultimate prize.
Texas 38 – Miami 27
Predicting the Semifinals
No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 5 Ohio State
The first semifinal brings us a rematch steeped in drama, revisiting one of the most thrilling games of the regular season. Ohio State, hungry for redemption, looks to erase the memory of their loss in Eugene. But once again, Dillon Gabriel and the Oregon Ducks rise to the occasion. The Buckeyes, full of fight, find themselves facing the same relentless Ducks offense that haunted them before. Gabriel, poised and precise, leads Oregon past Ohio State, sending the Ducks soaring into the national title game. For the Buckeyes, the quest ends here—but for Oregon, the dream continues.
Oregon 33 – Ohio State 27
No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 6 Texas
One of the most anticipated matchups of the 2024 season finally arrives—Texas versus Georgia II, this time on the national semifinal stage. Texas, fueled by the memory of a regular-season loss (the one I’m predicting this week,) comes in seeking redemption. The Longhorns were once the No. 1 team in the country, and now they look to reclaim their throne. But Georgia, ever resilient, matches them blow for blow in a game that lives up to its immense hype.
As the clock winds down, it’s clear this battle won’t be decided in regulation. Overtime beckons, and the Horns find a way in the pressure-cooker of extra minutes. In an instant classic, Texas prevails, taking down Georgia and securing their spot in the national title game.
Texas 33 – Georgia 30 (OT)
When the gloves come off 🤘@MatthewGolden_2 @gunnar_helm pic.twitter.com/B4GI95R2p0
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) October 15, 2024
Predicting the National Title Game
Just as predicted in the preseason, the Oregon Ducks and Texas Longhorns meet in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff national title game. It’s a clash of heavyweights, filled with marquee players and star power at every position. The stage is set for a game that will define legacies, with both teams battling for college football’s ultimate prize.
In a contest where every moment matters, it’s Quinn Ewers who rises to the occasion, making fewer mistakes and leading the Longhorns past Dillon Gabriel and the Ducks. With a balanced attack and relentless energy, Texas overpowers Oregon, and in the end, Steve Sarkisian achieves what Longhorns fans have long awaited. Texas is back—crowned once again as kings of college football.
Texas 34 – Oregon 24
