College football playoff predictions: Potential Ohio State-Georgia Round 1 matchup

Now that the 2024 college football regular season has come to an end and conference championship weekend has arrived, it's important to point out a lesson we've all learned this year: 

The unexpected turnaround will be expected in the future.

Indiana won 11 games this season after winning just nine in the previous three years. Arizona State won 10 games after going 3-9 last season. Colorado finished 9-3 after going 4-8 in 2023.

We have learned that any team can be beaten — except Oregon. The Ducks are the only team in the entire country with a chance to become the sixth team in the CFP era to run the table, and the second team west of the Mississippi River.

We learned that joining a new conference won't prevent you from playing in the conference title game. SMU, Oregon and Texas all made their respective conference title games in Year 1 as new members, and each has a clear path to winning the national title. This isn't parity. It's volatility, and it's the new normal. 

Welcome to the new world where the 12-team CFP gets inked for the first time on Sunday.

With that said, here are my updated CFP projections:

1. Oregon
Conference: Big Ten
Record: 12-0

2. Texas
Conference: SEC
Record: 11-1

3. SMU
Conference: ACC
Record: 11-1

4. Arizona State
Conference: Big 12
Record: 10-2

5. Notre Dame
Conference: Independent
Record: 11-1

6. Penn State
Conference: Big Ten
Record: 11-1

7. Indiana
Conference: Big Ten
Record: 11-1

8. Georgia
Conference: SEC
Record: 10-2

9. Ohio State
Conference: Big Ten
Record: 10-2

10. Tennessee
Conference: SEC
Record: 10-2

11. Alabama
Conference: SEC
Record: 9-3

12. Boise State
Conference: Mountain West
Record: 11-1

QUARTERFINAL MATCHUPS

1. Oregon: Bye (would then play the winner of 8. Georgia vs. 9. Ohio State)

2. Texas: Bye