After another chaotic weekend of college football action, ESPN’s Heather Dinich is back with another round of projected CFP rankings.

With the season right around the midway point, there’s been a ton of shuffling atop the 12 best teams.

But as things stand right now, here’s how Dinich and the Worldwide Leader sees the College Football Playoff bracket through seven hard-fought weeks.

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) warms up before a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesMatt Pendleton-Imagn Images.
Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) warms up before a game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesMatt Pendleton-Imagn Images.

ESPN predicts 12-team playoff field through 7 weeks

With only two Saturdays remaining until the selection committee officially reveals its first CFP rankings, here’s a look at what Dinich predicts based on the past criteria and protocol of the powers that be:

  1. Miami (ACC champ)
  2. Ohio State (B1G champ)
  3. BYU (Big 12 champ)
  4. Notre Dame
  5. Indiana
  6. Georgia (SEC champ)
  7. Ole Miss
  8. UCLA
  9. Kentucky
  10. Tennessee
  11. Utah
  12. Boise State (Last team in)

Aaaand … here you go, Utah … and a new No. 1 (again)
https://t.co/V638ATRAoR

— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) October 18, 2026

That would mean the 2026 playoff bracket would look something like this:

First-Round Byes

  • No. 1 Miami (ACC champ)
  • No. 2 Ohio State (Big Ten champ)
  • No. 3 BYU (Big 12 champ)
  • No. 4 Notre Dame

First-Round Games

  • No. 12 Boise State (highest G6) at No. 5 Indiana
  • No. 11 Utah at No. 6 Georgia (SEC champ)
  • No. 10 Tennessee at No. 7 Ole Miss
  • No. 9 Kentucky at No. 8 UCLA

Quarterfinal Games

  • No. 12 Boise State/No. 5 Indiana winner vs. No. 4 Notre Dame
  • No. 11 Utah/No. 6 Georgia winner vs. No. 3 BYU
  • No. 10 Tennessee/No. 7 Ole Miss winner vs. No. 2 Ohio State
  • No. 9 Kentucky/No. 8 UCLA winner vs. No. 1 Miami

Dinich actually had the Texas Tech Red Raiders as the No. 12 team in the country. But due to a Group of 6 team needing to be represented in the current format, Tech projects as the first team out of the bracket.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Oct 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Source: Yahoo Sports