Top College Football Playoff Predictions After Week 2 Highlights

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The College Football Playoff (CFP) picture is already starting to shift as we get past Week 2 of the 2025 season. It might feel early, but some big wins and a few surprising losses are already changing the conversation about which teams look like real contenders.

The Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, Oregon Ducks, and Miami Hurricanes all came out strong, grabbing convincing victories and staking their claims near the top. Meanwhile, last year’s playoff teams—Boise State Broncos, Texas Longhorns, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and Clemson Tigers—found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard, which isn’t exactly what their fans wanted to see. Let’s take a look at where things stand in the CFP race and what the experts are saying about the top 12 teams with a shot at the playoff.

Table of Contents

The Impact of Early Wins and Losses

Week 2 brought its fair share of drama. The top-ranked teams like Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, and Miami all flexed their muscles with clear-cut wins.

On the other hand, Boise State, Texas, Notre Dame, and Clemson stumbled early, and that’s already putting their playoff dreams in a bit of jeopardy.

Ohio State and Penn State: Big Ten Powerhouses

Ohio State looks as dangerous as ever, rolling along with a dynamic offense and a defense that’s not messing around. Penn State isn’t far behind—they’re showing plenty of grit, and honestly, the Big Ten might be the conference to watch this year.

Oregon and Miami: Pac-12 and ACC Contenders

Oregon and Miami are making their own noise, too. Oregon’s offense is moving at a crazy pace, while Miami’s got a more balanced approach that’s working out so far.

Their upcoming games will really test them, especially once they get deeper into their conference schedules. No one’s got an easy road from here.

Upsets and Surprises

Week 2 wasn’t kind to some of last year’s playoff teams. Boise State, Texas, Notre Dame, and Clemson all took early hits, and now people are wondering if they can recover.

Throw in the SMU Mustangs and Arizona State Sun Devils, who also lost, and you’ve got a playoff race that’s already getting a little weird.

Oklahoma Sooners: Making a Statement

The Oklahoma Sooners made headlines by beating the Michigan Wolverines. That’s a big win for their playoff resume.

The SEC schedule ahead won’t be easy, though. Their upcoming game against Miami? That’s one to circle on the calendar.

South Florida Bulls: The Group of 5 Contender

South Florida Bulls pulled off an 18-16 upset over the Florida Gators. It’s their first road win over a ranked team since 2011—how about that?

This win puts them in the conversation as the Group of 5’s best shot at a CFP spot. It’s a twist that not many saw coming.

Expert Predictions for the Top 12 Playoff Teams

ESPN’s experts have put out their top 12 picks for the College Football Playoff, and there’s a lot to unpack there. Here’s how their predictions shake out:

Andrea Adelson’s Top 12

1. Ohio State
2. LSU
3. Penn State
4. Oregon
5. Miami
6. Georgia
7. Oklahoma
8. Notre Dame
9. Texas
10. Florida State
11. Iowa State
12. South Florida

Kyle Bonagura’s Top 12

1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. LSU
4. Penn State
5. Georgia
6. Miami
7. Texas
8. Utah
9. Florida State
10. Iowa State
11. Oklahoma
12. South Florida

Bill Connelly’s Top 12

1. Oregon
2. Ohio State
3. LSU
4. Penn State
5. Georgia
6. Miami
7. Texas A&M
8. Tennessee
9. Florida State
10. Iowa State
11. Texas Tech
12. South Florida

David Hale’s Top 12

1. Ohio State
2. LSU
3. Oregon
4. Miami
5. Iowa State
6. Penn State
7. Texas
8. Georgia
9. Texas A&M
10. South Florida
11. Notre Dame
12. Oklahoma

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

The College Football Playoff race is really starting to get interesting. Top teams have shown what they’re made of, and we’ve already seen some wild upsets.

There’s a lot of buzz about which programs will keep their momentum and which ones might stumble. It’s anyone’s guess how the rest of the season will shake out, honestly.

Curious for more stats, hot takes, and predictions? Check out the full article on ESPN.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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