College Football Week 12 Preview: Playoff Picture Gets Clearer

College Football Week 12 Ranked Matchups

9 Notre Dame at 22 Pitt

This battle of Top 25 squads pits a tough Irish defense against Pitt’s attack. Expect a physical game in a matchup that could shift momentum for both teams as they aim to solidify playoff positioning.

11 Oklahoma at 4 Alabama

A marquee clash in Tuscaloosa, Alabama’s high-powered offense faces a relentless Sooners defense. Every possession matters, and Oklahoma will need big plays to stay in striking distance against one of the nation’s elite teams.

21 Iowa at 17 USC

Two contrasting styles collide as Iowa brings a ball-control, smash-mouth approach while USC thrives on tempo and explosive plays. The Trojans’ home-field advantage could be decisive, but Iowa’s discipline could keep this close deep into the fourth quarter.

10 Texas at 5 Georgia

This SEC showdown promises fireworks, with Texas looking to prove it belongs among the elite while Georgia aims to continue its dominant season. Expect a fast-paced game with high stakes for both playoff and conference seeding.

Updated 12-Team Playoff Picture

On Tuesday, the selection committee revealed the new College Football Week 12 Playoff Bracket based on the latest rankings. Here’s how things line up if the season ended today:

Top 4 Seeds (First-Round Byes):

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

2. Indiana Hoosiers

3. Texas A&M Aggies

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

Seeds 5–8 (Host First-Round Games):

5. Georgia Bulldogs

6. Texas Tech Red Raiders

7. Ole Miss Rebels

8. Oregon Ducks

Seeds 9–12 (Travel to First-Round Games):

9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

10. Texas Longhorns

11. Miami Hurricanes

12. South Florida Bulls

Projected First-Round Matchups (Under This Bracket):

• (12) South Florida vs. (5) Georgia

• (11) Miami vs. (6) Texas Tech

• (10) Texas vs. (7) Ole Miss

• (9) Notre Dame vs. (8) Oregon

This bracket reflects the committee’s current view, but of course plenty can still shift as we move one week closer to the conference championships and upsets occurring every week.

Pregame Sports Bar Crawl: Las Vegas Edition

Experience the excitement of the game like never before with our Pregame Sports pub crawl in Las Vegas! Join fellow sports fans for exclusive drink specials at some of the city's best sports bars. It's the ultimate way to gear up for game night—whether you're repping your squad or just in it for the fun. Stay tuned for upcoming dates and exclusive deals!