ESPN puts Ohio State and Texas atop projected CFP field after Week 1
ESPN’s unofficial projection has Ohio State, Texas, Miami and LSU leading the field, with Texas to host Ohio State in the defining Week 2 clash.
ESPN has projected Ohio State, Texas, Miami and LSU as the leading four teams in its post-Week 1 assessment of the College Football Playoff field. The forecast is not an official ranking, with the selection committee’s first ranking not expected until the first Tuesday in November.
The projection places Ole Miss seventh after its 41–38 win over AP-ranked Louisville, the only victory by a projected contender over an AP Top 25 opponent during the opening weekend. Notre Dame’s win over Wisconsin at Lambeau Field also strengthens its case, while Georgia’s 60-point victory over Tennessee State carries less weight because it came against an FCS opponent.
Texas hosting Ohio State is the most significant Week 2 fixture in ESPN’s assessment. ESPN’s FPI gives Texas a 53.7 per cent chance of winning, and the result is expected to influence how the two teams are viewed through the remainder of the season.
The wider projection includes Notre Dame, Georgia, Indiana, Oregon, Alabama, Texas A&M and Oklahoma, with Boise State listed as the highest-ranked Group of 6 team. ESPN’s hypothetical seeding places Ohio State first and Texas second, while treating Boise State as a potential No. 12 seed.
The assessment also reflects the committee’s focus on opponent quality, head-to-head results, injuries and strength of schedule. ESPN noted that the ACC began 1–5 against Big 12, Big Ten and SEC opponents through Week 1, adding pressure to Miami’s schedule and to the conference’s ability to produce stronger results.
