College Football Playoff 24-team projection: How the bracket would look in 2026

CBS Sports • November 11, 2026 • sports

Key Points:

The College Football Playoff (CFP) will expand to 24 teams starting in 2027, increasing first-round byes from four to eight and including eight first-round games, featuring champions from the Power Four conferences, the top Group of 6 team, and 19 at-large selections.
The expanded format introduces complexity with more teams and unconventional bracket numbers, potentially leading to unusual matchups such as Wake Forest vs. Ohio State in the first round, and more conference rematches due to the larger field.
First-round games will be hosted on the campuses of higher-seeded teams, with subsequent rounds also played at higher seeds' home stadiums, emphasizing the advantage of securing a top seed.
Projections based on current rankings suggest a potential championship matchup between Georgia and Utah, but the longer playoff path (five games for lower seeds) could increase wear and tear and unpredictability in outcomes.
The expanded playoff is expected to increase scrutiny on lower-ranked teams and may lead to significant changes in how teams are evaluated and selected by the CFP committee.

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