RJ Young’s Updated 24-Team College Football Playoff Projection for Week 10 Analysis

Expanded College Football playoff: A New Era of Access and Competition

October 28, 2025

A sweeping overhaul of teh College Football Playoff system is on the horizon, with a 24-team model currently garnering significant support. This expansion dramatically alters the landscape, possibly giving 41 Power four programs and 10 Group of Six teams a legitimate shot at competing for a national championship. The current system, limiting access to only a select few, is expected to evolve, fostering a more inclusive and competitive postseason.

The New Playoff Structure: A Detailed Look

The proposed 24-team playoff will utilize a structure designed to balance automatic qualification with at-large selections. The plan calls for four automatic bids from each of the Power four conferences – the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC – along with two automatic bids from the Group of Six conferences. Six additional teams will be selected at-large by the College Football Playoff selection committee, granting these panelists considerable influence in determining the final playoff field.

This new format introduces a significant shift from the current four-team playoff. Crucially,the first two rounds of the tournament promise to be hosted on participating campuses,increasing home-field advantage and building excitement within local communities. This represents a substantial departure from neutral-site games in the early stages of the playoff.

Seeding and Selection Criteria

The selection committee will be instrumental in seeding the 24 teams. Criteria will encompass head-to-head results, overall record strength, coaching prowess, player performance, and the caliber of non-conference opponents faced throughout the season. While conference championship titles are considered, they don’t automatically guarantee higher seeding over teams with superior overall performance.

Projected Week 10 Playoff Bracket

Based on current standings and performances as of Week 10, here is a potential look at a 24-team College Football Playoff bracket:

Seed	Team
1	Ohio State (7-0)
2	Indiana (8-0)
3	Texas A&M (8-0)
4	Alabama (7-1)
5	Oregon (7-1)
6	Georgia (6-1)
7	Ole Miss (7-1)
8	Vanderbilt (7-1)
9	Tennessee (6-2)
10	BYU (8-0)
11	Georgia Tech (8-0)
12	Louisville (7-1)
13	Miami (7-1)
14	Notre Dame (5-2)
15	Missouri (6-2)
16	Texas (6-2)
17	Texas Tech (7-1)
18	Memphis (7-1)
19	Michigan (6-2)
20	Cincinnati (7-1)
21	Houston (7-1)
22	Virginia (7-1)
23	Navy (7-0)
24	Pitt (6-2)

“Did You Know?” The expansion to 24 teams means approximately 40 percent more programs will have a viable path to the national championship game.

The Evolution of the College Football Playoff

The college Football Playoff was established in 2014 to replace the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) system. Initially a four-team event, debates about expansion have persisted for years, fueled by arguments that a larger playoff would offer fairer access to all qualified teams. Previous iterations included consideration of 8 or 12 teams as well. recent discussions surrounding changing conference landscapes and competitive balance created the momentum for the 24-team model now gaining favor.

“Pro Tip:” Keep an eye on conference championship games.These outcomes often determine automatic qualifiers and can dramatically shift the at-large selections.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the primary benefit of a 24-team playoff? A 24-team playoff provides more opportunities for teams from across the country to compete for a national championship, increasing the overall excitement and fairness of the postseason.
• How will the selection committee operate with a 24-team playoff? The committee will primarily seed the field and select the six at-large teams based on established criteria, including win-loss record, strength of schedule, and conference championships.
• What impact will home-field advantage have in the expanded playoff? the first two rounds of the playoff being played on campus promises to create an unparalleled home-field advantage, substantially impacting game outcomes.
• how does this change affect smaller conferences? This format gives Group of Six conferences a greater possibility to earn automatic bids and increased national exposure.
• Are there still concerns about potential inequities in scheduling? While the 24-team format addresses some concerns, disparities in scheduling strength remain a factor that the selection committee must carefully consider.
• Will this change eliminate all arguments about which teams deserve a playoff spot? While it will likely reduce the controversy, debates about at-large selections will likely continue, reflecting the subjective nature of evaluating teams.

what do you think about the new playoff format? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

How might the ongoing investigations surrounding the Michigan Wolverines impact their potential seeding and playoff contention, according to RJ Young’s projections?

The Shifting Landscape of College football Playoff Contenders

RJ Young’s latest Week 10 playoff projection, released on October 28, 2025, offers a captivating look at how the evolving college football season is reshaping the potential 24-team playoff bracket. This expanded playoff format, set to fully implement in the 2026 season, is already influencing perceptions and strategies. Analyzing Young’s projections provides valuable insight for fans, bettors, and teams alike. We’ll break down the key takeaways, focusing on teams rising, falling, and those firmly on the bubble.This analysis will cover conference implications, automatic bids, and at-large contention.

Top Tier Teams: Maintaining Dominance

Several teams continue to hold strong positions in Young’s projection. These programs have demonstrated consistent performance and are likely to secure top seeds:

* Georgia: Remains a consistent #1 seed, showcasing a dominant defense and potent offense. their SEC schedule continues to test them, but they appear poised for a deep playoff run.

* Ohio State: The Buckeyes are consistently in the top four, benefiting from a strong strength of schedule and remarkable wins.

* Michigan: Despite ongoing investigations,Michigan maintains a high ranking,demonstrating the programme’s resilience and talent. (Note: This assumes the investigations haven’t significantly impacted their on-field performance by the time of publication).

* Florida State: Undefeated and looking strong, Florida State is a lock for an ACC Championship and a high seed.

These teams represent the conventional powerhouses of college football,and their continued success isn’t surprising. However, the expanded playoff opens doors for more contenders.

Risers: Teams making a Play for Playoff Inclusion

Several programs have significantly improved their playoff prospects in Week 10:

* Oregon: A strong win against a ranked opponent propelled Oregon into contention for a top-8 seed. Their offense is explosive, and their defense is improving.

* Texas: The longhorns are capitalizing on a favorable schedule and showcasing a balanced attack. Their performance in the Big 12 Championship will be crucial.

* Alabama: after a mid-season stumble, Alabama is regaining momentum. Nick Saban’s program is always a threat, and their experience could be a factor in the playoffs.

* Penn State: A consistent performer in the Big Ten, Penn State is solidifying its position as a potential playoff team.

These teams are demonstrating the potential to make a deep run, and their performances in the coming weeks will be critical.

Bubble Teams: On the Cusp of Playoff Contention

The most intriguing part of Young’s projection lies with the teams on the bubble. These programs need to finish strong to secure an at-large bid:

* Ole Miss: Lane Kiffin’s offense is a force to be reckoned with, but their defense remains a question mark.

* Missouri: A surprising contender in the SEC, Missouri is exceeding expectations and could sneak into the playoff.

* Oklahoma: The Sooners are rebuilding under a new coach,but they’ve shown flashes of brilliance.

* Notre dame: As an autonomous, Notre Dame needs to maintain a strong record and possibly win a key game against a Power Five opponent.

These teams face challenging schedules and will need to win head-to-head matchups to improve their playoff chances.

Conference Implications & Automatic Bids

The 24-team playoff format guarantees automatic bids for all conference champions.This significantly alters the landscape, particularly for conferences with strong contenders.

* SEC: The SEC is likely to send multiple teams to the playoff, with Georgia leading the charge. The conference championship game will be a crucial matchup.

* Big Ten: Ohio State and michigan are strong contenders for automatic bids, but Penn State could also challenge for the conference title.

* ACC: Florida State is the clear favorite to win the ACC and secure an automatic bid.

* Big 12: Texas and Oklahoma are battling for conference supremacy, and the winner will earn an automatic bid.

* Pac-12: (Assuming the Pac-12 structure remains similar in 2025) The Pac-12 champion will receive an automatic bid, but the conference’s overall strength is a question mark.

At-Large Bids: The importance of Strength of schedule

With 12 automatic bids, the remaining 12 playoff spots will be awarded to at-large teams. Strength of schedule will be a critical factor in determining these bids. teams that have played challenging opponents and secured quality wins will have a significant advantage. The College Football Playoff committee will heavily weigh these factors when making its selections.Key metrics like the Strength of Record (SOR) and Strength of Schedule (SOS) will be closely scrutinized.

Impact of the Expanded Playoff Format

The move to a 24-team playoff is expected to have several significant impacts on college football:

* Increased Fan Engagement: More teams in contention will lead to increased fan engagement and excitement.

* Greater Parity: The expanded playoff format could lead to greater parity, as more teams