FOX Sports Projects 24-Team CFP Field With No. 1 Miami Leading 5 Automatic Bids

Q: Could Ohio State's shocking drop after losing to USC prove that a larger playoff bracket still punishes late-season failures?

Yes. Ohio State’s fall after the USC loss is strong evidence that a 24-team playoff would still punish late-season failures, even if it no longer threatens immediate elimination. The Buckeyes were projected all the way down to No. 12 after losing 30-18 at USC, and that drop mattered. In FOX Sports’ bracket, Ohio State went from bye-range to having to play an opening-round game, losing one of the biggest rewards in the format. In a larger field, the penalty shifts from “you’re out” to “your path gets much harder.” That is the core of the proposed 24-team model. Access expands, but seeding becomes critical. The top seeds get byes, and other high seeds get home-field advantage on campus. Falling from the top tier to No. 12 means extra games, less rest, a tougher opponent path and no margin for more mistakes. For a title contender, that is a real punishment. Ohio State’s slide also fits how the selection process works. Rankings remain sensitive to head-to-head results, strength of schedule, and timing of losses. USC’s upset gave the Trojans a major boost while exposing Ohio State at a vulnerable moment, especially with concerns around quarterback play after Julian Sayin’s injury. So the larger bracket softens the blow of one loss by keeping more teams alive, but it does not erase consequences. Ohio State’s case shows that November stumbles can still cost teams the two most valuable postseason advantages: rest and home field.

3 articles · Updated · FOX Sports · Nov 2

No. 1 Miami tops FOX Sports' hypothetical 24-team College Football Playoff after Week 9, with Georgia, Indiana, Utah and Boise State taking the five automatic spots.
The projected format gives the four Power Four champions and the highest-ranked Group of Six team automatic bids, while 19 at-large spots are filled from the analyst's Top 25.
Notre Dame, UCLA, Kentucky and Alabama hold seeds 5-8 and the valuable first-round byes, but No. 5 Notre Dame could lose that edge with a defeat to Miami this weekend.
Ohio State slid to No. 12 after its Week 9 loss to USC, dropping out of bye position, while LSU sits at No. 18 with a chance to climb by beating Alabama.
Only 3 teams in the projected field remain undefeated, underscoring how a larger playoff would keep more contenders alive while making late-season seeding battles matter.