ESPN predicted the 12-team College Football Playoff field after conference championship weekend and there were some changes from last weekend in terms of playoff predictions. This happens before the final publication of the rankings on Sunday afternoon.

Now that the regular season and conference champions have been crowned, there is a clear look at the playoff field. Still, there will be debate about where the teams go and which teams make it to the finals.

The top four ranked conference champions will receive byes and the first round games will all be played on campus to open the playoffs. From there, the winners advance to their respective bowl games, leading to the national championship on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Oregon capped a perfect season with a Big Ten championship in the school’s first year in the conference. The 45-37 win over Penn State could be just the beginning.

Dillon Gabriel threw for 283 yards and four touchdowns. Jordan James added two on the ground and Tez Johson caught 11 passes for 181 yards and two scores. The Ducks should get the No. 1 seed on Sunday.

This is where the chaos begins! Georgia lost starting quarterback Carson Beck to a second-half injury, so in comes Gunner Stockton. The Bulldogs managed to outscore Texas 22-19 in overtime after seeing the Longhorns kick a field goal.

Georgia is inevitable, right? The two losses mean they won’t be able to reach first place, but they should work their way up to second place.

The Broncos improved to 12-1 with a 21-7 win over UNLV in the Mountain West title game. Like Georgia, Boise State defeated a team twice to secure a playoff spot.

Based on the fact that Ashton Jeanty dominates again, only losing to Oregon, and who is around them, the Broncos should be the third seed. The G5 gets a bye in the first round!

How about the Sun Devils punching their ticket to the playoffs with authority? Cam Skattebo also had a dominant performance to earn his Heisman and helped ASU finish.

After being a fringe team or the final seed, Arizona State jumps up to one of the top four for a bye. With Clemson beating SMU, there was an opportunity for a bounce.

Clemson entered as ACC champions, beating SMU 34-31 with a 56-yard field goal as time expired. It was an instant classic, but the Tigers are back in the playoffs. They will probably finish in the top 12 and therefore finish last.

Penn State is not moving on from a point loss to Oregon for the Big Ten title. At this point, it looks like the Nittany Lions will host a first-round playoff game.

11. SMU (-8) at 6. Texas (-4)

SMU makes the playoffs according to ESPN projections and actually still stays above Clemson. Yes, they will drop in the rankings, but SMU will get in and face a first round exit. At this point you can flip SMU and Clemson, but there’s a good chance both get in.

Texas drops four spots in the first round after losing to Georgia for the second time this season. Texas’ only two losses have come against UGA, and one of those was for a title. In the first round of the playoffs, they will host SMU in an all-Texas matchup.

Indiana remains at No. 10 and just watched the chaos unfold. With an 11-1 regular season record, they secured their ticket to the playoffs, a first-round road trip.

Notre Dame moves down just one spot as Texas falls with one loss. The Fighting Irish have also secured their ticket with an 11-1 record and will play a home playoff game in South Bend.

The game we all expected after last weekend in the first round of the playoffs. None of these teams will be affected, according to ESPN.

Ohio State will have a chance at redemption with a home playoff game and welcome the Vols to Columbus. In this scenario, the winner of this game will face Oregon in the quarterfinals.

The next two from the playoffs

Alabama (9-3)
Miami (10-2)

Both teams were not playing for a conference championship and the Crimson Tide were the last team in last week. Until Clemson beat SMU and stole a playoff spot.

Unfortunately, Miami couldn’t move no matter what happened. But those two losses to Georgia Tech and Syracuse will certainly haunt them before a bowl game and then into the offseason.