Projecting the CFP top 12 after Week 6: There's a new...

Match Overview: Week 6 Reshuffles the CFP Top 12

Vanderbilt’s historic 40-35 upset victory over top-ranked Alabama in Week 6 has radically shifted the 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) projections. Texas ascends to the projected No. 1 overall seed, while Alabama drops into an at-large positioning.

The 12-team format guarantees automatic first-round byes to the four highest-ranked conference champions. These four spots are currently projected to be Texas (SEC), Ohio State (Big Ten), Miami (ACC), and Iowa State (Big 12).

Key Stats & Facts

• Historic Upset: Vanderbilt secured its first victory against an AP No. 1 ranked team in program history (previously 0-10).
• Time of Possession: Vanderbilt controlled the ball for 42:08 compared to Alabama’s 17:52, running 75 offensive plays to Alabama’s 42.
• Third-Down Efficiency: The Commodores converted 12 of 18 third-down attempts (66.7%), while holding Alabama to 3 of 7 (42.9%).
• Projected CFP Top 4 Seeds (First-Round Byes):
  • No. 1: Texas (SEC Champion projection, 5-0)
  • No. 2: Ohio State (Big Ten Champion projection, 5-0)
  • No. 3: Miami (ACC Champion projection, 6-0)
  • No. 4: Iowa State (Big 12 Champion projection, 5-0)
• Projected First-Round Matchups (Seeds 5-12):
  • No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Georgia
  • No. 11 Notre Dame at No. 6 Oregon
  • No. 10 Clemson at No. 7 Penn State
  • No. 9 Ole Miss at No. 8 Alabama

Player Spotlight & Standings Impact

Player Spotlight: Diego Pavia (QB, Vanderbilt)

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia delivered the defining individual performance of Week 6. Pavia completed 16 of 20 passes (80.0% completion rate) for 252 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions, posting a 221.8 passer rating. He added 56 rushing yards on 20 carries.

Standings Impact

Texas moves into the projected No. 1 overall seed despite an idle week, capitalizing on Alabama’s loss. Alabama falls seven spots in the projections to No. 8, putting them in line to host a first-round playoff game against SEC counterpart Ole Miss.

Boise State secures the projected No. 12 seed as the highest-ranked Group of Five team following a 62-30 victory over Utah State. Running back Ashton Jeanty recorded 186 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries, elevating his FBS-leading total to 1,031 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns through five games.