College Football Playoff Top 12 After Week 1: Predicting Postseason Matchups as OSU, Miami Send Early Warning Shots to Opponents

The College Football Playoff is on the horizon as a tiny dot. However, it is nevertheless visible. With only the first stones of the playoff picture being laid in Week 1, plenty can change over the coming weeks. Still, it is never too early to predict what the CFP will look like. Here's a look at what the opening round of matchups and byes could look like, using the NCAA's selection process. Keep in mind this is all subject to change, but for now, teams like the Miami Hurricanes, LSU Tigers and Texas Longhorns will be in. The four bye teams will include the Georgia Bulldogs and Ohio State Buckeyes. Play out the entire college football season with PFSN's CFB Playoff Predictor to see what it means for conference standings and the CFB playoffs! Predicting Opening Round Postseason Matchups After Week 1 No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers vs No. 6 Miami Hurricanes The Miami Hurricanes proved they meant business in Week 1, as did the Tennessee Volunteers. Both have put themselves on the course for a playoff appearance this season. Miami has postseason experience and knows what it takes to get to the next level, even without Carson Beck. That experience will help down the stretch as other teams flinch under pressure. No. 12 Houston Cougars vs No. 5 LSU Tigers The Houston Cougars will sneak into the playoffs in the last spot, while the LSU Tigers under Lane Kiffin will be a reborn unit. The Tigers wasted no time axing a formidable Clemson opponent like it was nothing. Houston will be pushed to the brink in this matchup. Nowhere to hide pic.twitter.com/ERymOu5MBb — LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 7, 2026 Expand Tweet No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs No. 8 Texas Longhorns Arch Manning will learn that simply having hype doesn't guarantee perfection. However, he will have a shot at the national championship this year. To get there, he will need to go through the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. This matchup could end up being the showdown of the week. [adslot] No. 10 Texas A&M Aggies vs No. 7 Indiana Hoosiers The reigning champion Indiana Hoosiers will be back in the College Football Playoff once again. Curt Cignetti's program will face the Texas A&M Aggies. The Hoosiers will ultimately lose ground in the rankings compared to the Miami Hurricanes after facing slightly more motivated teams than Miami in 2026. Teams To Receive Byes In College Football Playoff First Round No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners The Oklahoma Sooners will rise to a new level that was only teased in Week 1. As such, the team will receive a week off in the opening round. Players will be able to heal and rest, while the coaching staff will be able to dream up extra trick plays. [adslot] No. 3 Ole Miss Rebels Trinidad Chambliss will be rewarded for fighting well into the offseason to return to college football with a climb to No. 3 in the rankings. As such, he will head into what is expected to be his final run with an extra week of rest. The biggest problem will be keeping his mind focused on the upcoming games with the all-but-guaranteed transition to the NFL looming. No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Ohio State dominated in Week 1, and the program has dominated college football for many years. Expect Ohio State to get a week off as the team prepares to push into an overdue run at the national championship. However, one team will be seeded above Ohio State. No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs The Georgia Bulldogs will end the regular season on top. While that doesn't guarantee a playoff win, it does guarantee a week off with a desirable final path to the championship. Kirby Smart will be in his best form by this point, and only the best teams will be able to stop him. Read More News: Pete Golding Admits Watching LSU Game at Ole Miss Team Dinner, Gives Assessment of Lane Kiffin's Team Jason Whitlock Accuses Big Ten and MAC of 'Criminal Conspiracy' After Michigan's Controversial Win College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men's college basketball, women's college basketball, and college baseball!