Expert predictions for the College Football Playoff round

On Sunday afternoon, after months of anticipation and weeks of intense debate, the first 12-team College Football Playoff will be determined. There are still a handful of conference championship games to be played, with seedings and possibly the final spots in the field still up for grabs.

There will certainly be teams feeling snubbed after the CFP selection committee releases its top 25 rankings, with the outcome of the ACC Championship game between SMU and Clemson being of particular interest given the impact it could have on the potential rankings. Can the ACC accommodate two teams or does the SEC deserve four spots? How will the Big 12 champion (Arizona State or Iowa State) and Notre Dame be handled? Where will the Big Ten teams land after Oregon and Penn State meet in the Big Ten championship game?

The answers are unknown at the moment, but the issues are dominating the national conversation ahead of Sunday’s College Football Playoff selection show. All of this preparation and campaigning is fueling predictions about what the CFP selection committee might do once all the results are in. Here’s a look at some national predictions ahead of Saturday’s conference championship games:

MORE PREDICTIONS:Expert tips for every conference championship game

College Football Playoff Predictions

USA TODAY

Ranking – Top 12 teams

Oregon
Texas
SMU
Arizona State
Notre Dame
Penn State
Georgia
Ohio State
Indiana
Tennessee
Boise State
Alabama

Bracket – First round games

No. 5 Notre Dame vs. No. 12 Alabama
No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 11 Boise State
No. 7 Georgia vs. No. 10 Tennessee
No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 Indiana

The athlete

Ranking – Top 12 teams

Oregon
Texas
Boise State
Arizona State
Penn State
Notre Dame
Ohio State
Georgia
Tennessee
Indiana
SMU
Clemson

Bracket – First round games

No. 5 Penn State vs. No. 12 Clemson
No. 6 Notre Dame vs. No. 11 SMU
No. 7 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Indiana
No. 8 Georgia vs. No. 9 Tennessee

Bleacher Report

Ranking – Top 12 teams

Oregon
Texas
SMU
Boise State
Penn State
Notre Dame
Georgia
Ohio State
Tennessee
Indiana
Alabama
Arizona State

Bracket – First round games

No. 5 Penn State vs. No. 12 Arizona State
No. 6 Notre Dame vs. No. 11 Alabama
No. 7 Georgia vs. No. 10 Indiana
No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 Tennessee

When will the College Football Playoff lineup be announced?

The standings for the first 12 College Football Playoff teams will be released on Sunday, December 8, beginning at noon ET after the conference championship games conclude Saturday evening.

How to watch the College Football Playoff selection show

The College Football Playoff Selection Show will air on ESPN, beginning Sunday, December 8 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Fans can also stream the selection show on Fubo.

Date: Sunday December 8th
Time: 12-4pm ET
TV: ESPN
Electricity: Fubo

Watch the CFP Selection Show with Fubo

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Expert predictions for the College Football Playoff round

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