College Football Playoff Bracketology October 18

Each week, teams will be fighting for position in an effort to make the College Football Playoff. The teams will be ranked each week, but what matters most is who they have played and defeated already on the field. Here is College Football Playoff Preseason Bracketology: October 18.

Note: This will be updated following each week of games during the season.

First Round Byes

1. Miami Hurricanes (6-0)*

In a week with a lot of upsets, Miami avoided it narrowly against Florida State. The Hurricanes don’t have the biggest wins, but avoiding the landmines is enough to put them in the top spot for now.

This week: vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (5-2)

2. BYU Cougars (6-0)*

The Cougars won a tough game against Notre Dame to stay undefeated and really boost their case in the rankings at the same time. They have a good path to the CFP, whether that is with a Big 12 Championship or an at-large bid.

This week: at UCF Knights (3-3)

3. Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1)*

Ohio State won a close game over Indiana for a quality win. Their only loss is by one to Texas on the road. While the Longhorns are struggling now, the Buckeyes are seemingly getting things together, but they will have a backup quarterback playing for a while.

This week: BYE

4. UCLA Bruins (6-0)

UCLA had a backup quarterback starting in place of Nico Iamaleava and they were able to beat Wisconsin 17-7. They are undefeated with a few solid wins and have a nice path forward.

This week: vs. Michigan State Spartans (2-5)

First Round Hosts

5. Georgia Bulldogs (6-1)*

Georgia had an emotional letdown against Auburn after defeating Alabama last week. The Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season, but still have a good case to move up these rankings if they stack more wins.

This week: BYE

6. Indiana Hoosiers (6-1)

Indiana lost a close one to Ohio State. While they don’t have a lot of quality wins, the CFP Committee seems to value quality losses over not having big wins at times.

This week: at Michigan Wolverines (4-2)

7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-1)

Notre Dame lost a game that came down to the wire on the road against BYU. The Fighting Irish don’t have too many more chances to impress the committee, so winning out is likely going to be necessary; otherwise, they could be left out like last season.

This week: BYE

8. Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-0)

The Red Raiders dominated Arizona State this week, winning 53-25. Their win over Houston looks better after this week, but they won’t have many opportunities to really impress the rest of the regular season.

This week: at Cincinnati Bearcats (4-2)

Last Four In

9. Utah Utes (6-0)

Utah won a close one over Colorado on the road. It was a close call for Utah, but surviving a chaotic week as undefeated puts them in a good spot for now. 

This week: vs. Houston Cougars (6-1)

10. Ole Miss Rebels (5-1)

Ole Miss dominated a trending Missouri team in Week 7 to get things back on track. Most importantly, their defense played a lot better, which makes them look much more viable moving forward.

This week: at Texas Longhorns (4-2)

11. Tennessee Volunteers (6-1)

Tennessee controlled the entire game against Alabama in Week 7. Even with quarterback issues, the defense and running game has stepped up and led this team to success.

This week: at South Carolina Gamecocks (3-3)

12. Boise State Broncos (5-1)*

Boise State had a bye in Week 7. They still sit in the best spot to be the group of six representative in the CFP with their wins over Memphis, Western Michigan and Fresno State helping them. 

This week: at Washington State Cougars (1-6)

First Four Out

Kentucky Wildcats (6-1)

Kentucky got another tough SEC road win by defeating Oklahoma on the road. The Wildcats have wins over Texas A&M, South Carolina, LSU and Oklahoma, which warrants them being right on the cusp of the CFP with the chance to break in over the next few weeks. 

This week: Vanderbilt Commodores (3-4)

Houston Cougars (6-1)

Houston got a big win over a ranked Oklahoma State team this week. The only loss for the Cougars this season is against Texas Tech. They are still alive for the Big 12 Championship, but could sneak in with an at-large if they keep winning.

This week: at Utah Utes (6-0)

Iowa Hawkeyes (5-1)

Iowa didn’t play in Week 7, but are getting consideration for a few reasons. Their only loss is to Ohio State and the win over Michigan has aged decently. With other teams losing, the Hawkeyes have a clear path to the CFP this season.

This week: at Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-2)

USC Trojans (6-1)

USC had a bye, but is 6-1 heading into Week 8. The Trojans have lost to Oregon and have a tougher schedule ahead, but so far, they have a decent case to be considered and with some big wins, they could move their way into the field. 

This week: at Wisconsin Badgers (4-2)

First Four Out- Group of Six

 James Madison Dukes (7-0)

James Madison stayed undefeated by beating Georgia State 49-22. Billy Napier has things rolling and the team will be favored in most, if not all, their remaining games.

This week: at Appalachian State Mountaineers

New Mexico Lobos (5-1)

The Lobos defeated Hawai’i 21-10 this week to stay in the running for the group of six spot in the CFP.

This week: vs. North Dakota State Bison (6-1)

North Dakota State Bison (6-1)

North Dakota State got a win over Nevada this week and with Memphis losing, moved up the list of group-of-six contenders. A virtual knockout game against New Mexico this week could really help them, although they will still be cheering against teams above them.

This week: at New Mexico Lobos

UTSA Roadrunners (6-1)

UTSA moves into the teams being considered after Memphis lost. The Roadrunners are 6-1 with just a loss to Texas. There are some tough games ahead, but UTSA could benefit from getting more notable wins. 

This week: at Tulane Green Wave (3-3)

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