We are nearing the midway point of the college football season as Week 6 looms on the schedule, and while the Oregon Ducks are enjoying a well-deserved bye week after going on the road and upsetting the Penn State Nittany Lions in Happy Valley a week ago, there are some big-time games on the docket this weekend when it comes to the College Football Playoff race.
While Miami and Florida State square off in a rivalry, and Alabama looks to get revenge on Vanderbilt, fans are still buzzing after a Week 5 that provided some massive games between the likes of Georgia and Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss, Ohio State and Washington, and USC and Illinois. Ultimately, the results slightly shifted what the CFP picture looks like as we go into Week 6 of the season
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Again, these rankings mean very little at this early stage, but it does provide a look at the balance of power after several weeks of play and who we think could be in the mix when it comes to the postseason. Here is our prediction for who is going to make the playoffs after two weeks of the season:
*Note: In a change from last year’s playoff, the committee went to a straight-seeding format, meaning that the top-four seeds get a first-round bye, rather than the four highest-ranked conference champions.
No. 1 Seed — Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) runs during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
Week 5 Analysis: While Oregon stole the headlines with a win over Penn State, Ohio State looked dominant on the road against the Washington Huskies. They could very well be the best team in the nation, and if that defense keeps playing this well, they’ll be in the mix at the end of the year once again.
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Projected Round 1 Matchup: BYE
For more Ohio State news and analysis, check out Buckeyes Wire!
No. 2 Seed — Oregon Ducks
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore carries the ball as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Week 5 Analysis: Oregon’s win against Penn State on the road last weekend was as impressive as any win we’ve seen so far this year. Not only did the Ducks look very good when building a 17-3 lead, but they also showed that they could come through in the clutch and win in double overtime. Led by Dante Moore, quite possibly the best QB in the nation, Oregon certainly looks like a title contender once again.
Projected Round 1 Matchup: BYE
For more Oregon news and analysis, check out Ducks Wire!
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No. 3 Seed — Miami Hurricanes
Sep 13, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) looks to pass against the South Florida Bulls in the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Week 5 Analysis: Miami remains one of the most impressive teams in the nation this year, but they will have a big test this weekend against the Florida State Seminoles. I can’t wait to see how they look in that one.
Projected Round 1 Matchup: BYE
No. 4 Seed — Alabama Crimson Tide
Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (15) passes against Wisconsin at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Week 5 Analysis: After a stumble in Week 1, the Crimson Tide showed how good they could be this past weekend with a huge win over the Georgia Bulldogs. Ty Simpson looks like the real deal, and this roster is as talented as any in the nation. Look out for Bama.
Projected Round 1 Matchup: BYE
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For more Alabama news and analysis, check out Roll Tide Wire!
Sep 6, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) celebrates after a touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Utah State Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Sean Thomas-Imagn Images
Week 5 Analysis: Marcel Reed has been very good for Texas A&M, and the Aggies have answered every question they’ve faced thus far. This weekend will be another good test, though, with a game against a dangerous Mississippi State team.
Projected Round 1 Matchup: vs. Tulane Green Wave
For more Texas A&M news and analysis, check out Aggies Wire!
No. 6 Seed — Ole Miss Rebels
Lane Kiffin, Mississippi, $9,000,000
Week 5 Analysis: Lane Kiffin had to enjoy that win over his former team, the LSU Tigers, don’t you think? Ole Miss has looked great this year, especially considering that it’s been Trinidad Chambliss under center instead of Austin Simmons. They have an easy game this week against Washington State, but after that, we will learn a lot about the Rebels, with games against Georgia and Oklahoma in back-to-back weeks.
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Projected Round 1 Matchup: vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin and quarterback Drew Allar (15) react after losing to the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
Week 5 Analysis: It was a brutal loss for Penn State last week at home against the Oregon Ducks, but they fought back from two scores down in the 4th quarter and took it to double overtime. This is still a talented team that should be in the mix at the end of the year.
Projected Round 1 Matchup: vs. Georgia Bulldogs
For more Penn State news and analysis, check out Nittany Lions Wire!
No. 8 Seed — Oklahoma Sooners
Sep 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) rushes against Temple Owls linebacker Ty Davis (10) in the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Week 5 Analysis: We’ll see what Oklahoma looks like without QB John Mateer and how quickly he can return to the field after suffering a broken hand, but the Sooners’ defense is legitimate, and they’ve got enough talent to tread water until their Heisman-contending passer returns.
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Projected Round 1 Matchup: vs. Indiana Hoosiers
For more Oklahoma news and analysis, check out Sooners Wire!
No. 9 Seed — Indiana Hoosiers
Sep 12, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) throws a pass prior to the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Week 5 Analysis: Indiana is one of the most intriguing teams in the nation right now. After dominating a top-15-ranked Illinois team, 63-10, the Hoosiers now head to Autzen Stadium and take on the No. 2 Ducks in a week’s time. If they can win or keep that game close, then it will be time to take them seriously as a championship contender.
Projected Round 1 Matchup: at Oklahoma Sooners
No. 10 Seed — Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during a college football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 13, 2025.
Week 5 Analysis: Georgia might have lost to Alabama, but they’re still Georgia. I have no concerns about a Kirby Smart-coached team, and I still believe that they will be in the mix when all is said and done.
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Projected Round 1 Matchup: at Penn State Nittany Lions
For more Georgia news and analysis, check out UGA Wire!
No. 11 Seed — Texas Tech Red Raiders
Sep 20, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive back Brenden Jordan (7) reacts to a play against the Utah Utes during the fourth quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Week 5 Analysis: Texas Tech has looked like the strongest Big 12 team thus far, buoyed by a nice win over No. 16 Utah. There aren’t many scary games on their remaining schedule, so as long as they can keep a clean record, they should be in the mix come December.
Projected Round 1 Matchup: at Ole Miss Rebels
No. 12 Seed — Tulane Green Wave
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 13 :Quarterback Jake Retzlaff #12 of the Tulane Green Wave runs for a 19-yard touchdown in the first quarter against the Duke Blue Devils at Yulman Stadium. (Photo by Michael DeMocker/Getty Images)
Week 5 Analysis: Tulane looks to be in a great position to grab the Group of Five bid in the playoff, looking hot to start the year, while the previous darling of USF fell to Miami in Week 3.
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Projected Round 1 Matchup: at Texas A&M Aggies
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Where Oregon Ducks stand in Week 5 College Football Playoff prediction
