Pat Forde: College Football Playoff Projected Bracket After Week 9

The CFP selection committee will reveal its first bracket of the 2026 season on Tuesday.

Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney celebrates with tight end Gavin Mueller after scoring a touchdown against North Carolina. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Each week, The Dash selects and seeds the 12 teams who belong in the College Football Playoff as if today were Selection Sunday. This week takes on extra gravity, with the first CFP selection committee rankings rolling out Tuesday.

College Football Playoff Projections After Week 9

The Field 

1. Miami (8–0)
2. Georgia (7–1) 
3. UCLA (8–0)
4. Utah (8–0)
5. Kentucky (7–1)
6. Indiana (8–1)
7. BYU (7–1)
8. Notre Dame (7–1)
9. Wake Forest (7–1)
10. Texas (6–2)
11. Ohio State (6–2) 
12. UTSA (7–1) 

Also considered

• Texas Tech
• Mississippi
• Tennessee
• Alabama
• Missouri
• LSU
• USC
• Iowa
• Houston
• New Mexico
• North Texas
• Boise State

First round 

• No. 12 UTSA at No. 5 Kentucky 
• No. 11 Ohio State at No. 6 Indiana
• No. 10 Texas at No. 7 BYU
• No. 9 Wake Forest at No. 8 Notre Dame 

Quarterfinals 

• Fiesta Bowl: No. 4 Utah vs. winner of No. 12 UTSA at No. 5 Kentucky
• Rose Bowl: No. 3 UCLA vs. winner of No. 11 Ohio State at No. 6 Indiana
• Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. winner of No. 10 Texas at No. 7 BYU
• Peach Bowl: No. 1 Miami vs. winner of No. 9 Wake Forest at No. 8 Notre Dame

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