So what happens if Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan all beat each other once and finish the regular season 11-1? The Big Ten tiebreaker comes down to the record of each team’s cross-division opponents. So, yes, the lowly Big Ten West could play a pivotal role in who competes for the national championship in the final year of the four-team field.
Fortunately, we won’t be seeing this nonsense starting in 2024, when 12 teams will be able to play playoff games that will determine the national champion. Unlike this season, that field will not exclude worthy national title contenders.
So why wait until 2024 to see how the new system would look? Based on the latest AP poll, and the 6-auto bid, 6-at-large system the CFP put in place, here is how the bracket would shape up if the season ended today. Remember, the top four teams have to be conference champions.
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What a 12-team playoff would look like in 2023
With seven weeks of the regular season in the books, this is how the seeding would look for a 12-team playoff:
1. Georgia (SEC champ)
2. Michigan (Big Ten champ)
3. Florida State (ACC champ)
4. Washington (Pac-12 champ)
5. Ohio State
6. Oklahoma (Big 12 champ)
7. Penn State
8. Texas
9. Oregon
10. North Carolina
11. Alabama
12. Air Force (MWC champ)
Washington gets a bye, North Carolina joins the field
Washington earns a bye after its thrilling win over Oregon, knocking Oklahoma back into the first round. North Carolina enters the field for the first time after racing past Miami, replacing USC after its disappointing performance at Notre Dame.
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What 12-team playoff matchups would look like
First-round matchups
Air Force at Ohio State – Winner plays Washington
Air Force is 1-0 all-time against Ohio State thanks to a 23-11 Liberty Bowl victory in 1990. Odds the Falcons would beat the Buckeyes by 12 again are fairly slim.
Alabama at Oklahoma – Winner plays Florida State
The Tide visit Norman for just the second time ever? Yes, sign me up. And another blueblood awaits the winner.
North Carolina at Penn State – Winner plays Michigan
North Carolina QB Drake Maye will have to prove his NFL bonafides against two frightening defenses in order to reach the Final Four like his older brother did at UNC on the basketball court..
Oregon at Texas – Winner plays Georgia
Same matchup as last week, only this one is in Austin. Georgia, which may now be without All-World tight end Brock Bowers in the playoff, awaits the winner.
