Wolverine Digest

ESPN College Gameday crew predicts playoff teams

Chris Breiler

Michigan running back Donovan Edwards picks up the trophy to celebrate 34-13 win over Washington at the national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
Michigan running back Donovan Edwards picks up the trophy to celebrate 34-13 win over Washington at the national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
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After another long off-season, college football has finally returned with a slate of Week 0 games. Of course, the return of college football also means the return of fan-favorite traditions - including ESPN College Gameday. This year's crew includes Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, and Kirk Herbstreit. During Saturday's pregame show, four analysts shared their predications for this year's 12-team playoff bracket.

Pat McAfee

ESPN College Gameday
Pat McAfee 12-team playoff bracket / ESPN College Gameday

Pat's Top 12:

  1. Georgia
  2. Ohio State
  3. West Virginia
  4. Virginia Tech
  5. Ole Miss
  6. Oregon
  7. Texas
  8. Michigan
  9. Florida State
  10. Utah
  11. Alabama
  12. Boise State

Kirk Herbstreit

ESPN College Gameday
Kirk Herbstreit 12-team playoff bracket / ESPN College Gameday

Kirk's Top 12:

  1. Georgia
  2. Ohio State
  3. Clemson
  4. Utah
  5. Oregon
  6. Texas
  7. Missouri
  8. Penn State
  9. Notre Dame
  10. Florida State
  11. Michigan
  12. Boise State

Desmond Howard

ESPN College Gameday
Desmond Howard 12-team playoff bracket / ESPN College Gameday

Desmond's Top 12:

  1. Oregon
  2. Georgia
  3. Miami
  4. Utah
  5. Texas
  6. Ole Miss
  7. Ohio State
  8. Michigan
  9. Oklahoma
  10. Clemson
  11. Notre Dame
  12. Liberty

Nick Saban

ESPN College Gameday
Nick Saban 12-team playoff bracket / ESPN College Gameday

Nick's Top 12:

  1. Georgia
  2. Ohio State
  3. Florida State
  4. Utah
  5. Texas
  6. Oregon
  7. Alabama
  8. Ole Miss
  9. Penn State
  10. Notre Dame
  11. LSU
  12. Liberty

Nick Saban was the only analyst who doesn't believe the reigning national champion Michigan Wolverines will make the 12-team playoff this season. He does have three teams from the Big Ten conference making it, but those teams include Penn State, Oregon, and Ohio State. Kirk Herbstreit is predicting four teams from the Big Ten to make the playoff this season, including a rematch between Michigan and Texas in the first round.

Regardless of how it all shakes out, just looking at all of the potential matchups of a 12-team playoff is further evidence of how incredible - and historic - this 2024 season is going to be.

- Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

More Michigan News:

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One Michigan football player who will determine the Wolverines' CFP fate

Joel Klatt predicts Michigan to reach College Football Playoff, setting up rematch

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Chris Breiler
CHRIS BREILER

Christopher Breiler launched Winged Helmet Media and began covering the Michigan Football program in an unofficial capacity in 2017. He then joined Wolverine Digest as part of the FanNation network in 2021 as a contributing writer, where he served as both a writer and a photographer on game days. In 2024, he took over as the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI. His love for Michigan Football brought him into the industry, and his passion for being a content creator has led to some amazing experiences along the way.

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