How CFP Predictions Shape the 12‑Team Playoff Outlook for Houston Fans

College football fans across Houston are watching the sport’s evolving postseason format with growing anticipation. USA Today has released updated projections for the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, offering a clearer picture of which programs may compete for the national title under the new structure.

The expanded bracket allows for more at-large selections and ensures access for conference champions. For Houston-area alumni bases linked to major programs across the Big 12, SEC, and beyond, the predictions offer early insight into which schools appear poised to secure a spot.

Inside the latest playoff forecast

USA Today’s bracket projection highlights the current top contenders, outlining seedings, opening-round matchups, and potential paths to the quarterfinals. The model weighs recent performances, conference positioning, and strength of schedule to estimate who would make the postseason if the season ended today.

While the University of Houston is not among the projected teams, the Big 12’s inclusion of several ranked programs remains important for the Cougars’ future competitiveness and recruiting landscape. Houston’s growing sports community continues to track these developments, especially with the city’s strong footprint among alumni groups from Texas, SEC, and Big Ten universities.

Why it matters for Houston fans

Houston is one of the nation’s largest markets for college football viewership, and the new 12‑team format increases opportunities for regional programs to break into the postseason conversation. Expanded access also boosts fan engagement across the city’s sports bars, alumni associations, and watch parties.

The projections will continue to shift throughout the season, but they signal how the expanded playoff may reshape the competitive balance and deepen postseason intrigue—something many Houston fans welcome.

This article is a summary of reporting by USA Today. Read the full story here.