Georgia Tops Playoff Projection as Miami Drops to No. 2

Georgia moved ahead of Miami in a projected College Football Playoff field published on November 6, as the Bulldogs were picked to win the SEC and finish the season as the nation’s top team. Miami was forecast to take the ACC title but fell to second in the projection after star receiver Malachi Toney was injured ahead of its game against Notre Dame.

Utah was projected to win the Big 12 and rank third, followed by Indiana as the expected Big Ten champion. Kentucky, forecast to finish second in the SEC, was fifth. UCLA, Alabama and Texas Tech occupied the next three places, while Notre Dame, Texas, Ohio State and Boise State completed the 12-team field.

The projection identified Alabama, Notre Dame, Texas and Ohio State as at-large selections, and Boise State as the Group of Six representative. Notre Dame’s projected place hinged on beating Miami and avoiding further losses. Ohio State, listed as the first team outside the field, was projected to return if it beat Oregon and won the rest of its games.

Several weekend matchups could reshape the outlook. The projection favored Georgia at Ole Miss, Utah against BYU and Kentucky at Tennessee. It also said Texas Tech could improve its chances with a win over BYU, while Boise State still had to face Oregon State. The playoff selectors were due to meet again after the weekend’s games.