Five SEC teams fill up latest College Football Playoff prediction

Andy Staples’ latest College Football Playoff projection for On3 keeps Ohio State in the top spot, but the bigger headline is the escalating drama at the heart of college football’s fiercest rivalry.

The Buckeyes rolled past Rutgers 42-9, yet Staples noted that the focus immediately shifted to next week’s matchup with Michigan, which enters at 9-2 after a critical 45-20 win over Maryland. That result preserved the Wolverines’ playoff hopes and ensured that next Saturday’s showdown in Ann Arbor carries season-defining stakes for both teams. 

Ohio State is trying to end a four-game losing streak to Michigan, while the Wolverines could simultaneously extend the run and force their way back into the final 12 teams. 

Indiana holds Staples’ No. 2 spot after an idle week, with the Hoosiers poised to close the regular season against rival Purdue before heading to the Big Ten title game.

Texas A&M remains third and, like Ohio State, cannot be knocked from the CFP field regardless of outcome next week. Still, Staples stressed the psychological weight of the Aggies’ visit to Texas, calling the game a potential “weird one” despite A&M’s favored status.

Georgia sits fourth after easing past Charlotte, with Staples noting the Bulldogs may not need to win the SEC championship to secure a first-round bye. The Big 12 only team is Texas Tech at No. 5

Staples projected Ole Miss at No. 6 and highlighted the Egg Bowl as a backdrop to Lane Kiffin’s high-profile coaching decision.

Oregon, Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Alabama round out the top 10, each facing high-stakes rivalry games before the final committee rankings. SMU and Tulane complete Staples’ 12-team field, with the American Athletic Conference race tightening amid the league’s final week. 

With rivalry weekend upon us, Staples wrote that the sport finally gets “the juicy drama it deserves,” headlines by Ohio State and Michigan battling in Ann Arbor. 

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