Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach updated their 2026-27 College Football Playoff and bowl projections after Week 3. Ole Miss's win over Lane Kiffin and LSU boosted the Rebels' seed, while LSU dropped. West Virginia's upset of Virginia signaled more Big 12 contenders.

Under the new 2026 format, Power 4 champions and the top Group of 6 team get automatic bids. The next seven highest-ranked teams fill the 12-team field, with Notre Dame guaranteed if in the top 12. The top four seeds get first-round byes; seeds 5-8 host first-round games.

Bowl season starts Dec. 12 with the Cricket Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and ends with the CFP National Championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Jan. 25.

Bonagura and Schlabach predict first-round matchups like No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Ohio State and No. 12 North Dakota State at No. 5 Indiana. Quarterfinals include the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and other major bowls.