Miami, LSU gain early ground in CBS Sports playoff projections
Miami is projected to win the ACC, while LSU enters the forecast as the No. 9 College Football Playoff seed after emphatic Week 1 victories.
CBS Sports has revised its College Football Playoff and bowl projections after Week 1, elevating Miami and LSU as early national title threats following dominant wins over Stanford and Clemson.
Miami is projected to finish as ACC champion and occupy the top position in the forecast. Quarterback Darian Mensah threw for 401 yards against Stanford, while receiver Malachi Toney recorded 234 yards and three touchdowns.
LSU is projected as the No. 9 seed in the 12-team playoff field after defeating Clemson in Lane Kiffin’s first game as Tigers coach. The forecast gives LSU further scope to strengthen its case, with five nationally ranked opponents scheduled this season, compared with one for Miami.
The projections remain CBS Sports’ assessment rather than official CFP rankings or confirmed postseason selections. Week 1 results provide an early indication of the field, but conference outcomes and projected seeds remain subject to change.
Boise State is also identified as a significant factor in the Group of Six race despite its narrow loss at Oregon. Its upcoming game against unbeaten Memphis is described as an early test of which team is best placed to claim the leading playoff position outside the Power Four.
