​We’ve got the College Football Playoff all mapped out, or at least we’re going to give it our best shot. The dog days of summer might be the perfect time to craft our initial CFP bracket predictions, but on SEC Football Unfiltered, a USA TODAY Network podcast, we approach our picks a bit differently: it’s a team effort. Hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams each contribute six teams, with no overlaps and no one stepping on the other’s selections. We keep adding until we reach 12 qualifiers.
The selections begin in a predictable, chalky fashion, but then Adams makes a bold sprint to claim a Big 12 qualifier, ensuring Toppmeyer won’t pick BYU. By the end, the bracket features four SEC teams and four more from the Big Ten, including Adams’s final Big Ten pick that pushes Toppmeyer to the edge.
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Here’s how the lineup shapes up:
Adams selects: Miami
Toppmeyer’s reaction: I like it. We’ve got the ACC covered with a clear first choice.
Toppmeyer selects: Notre Dame
Adams’ reaction: Solid pick. That schedule is tailored for playoff consideration.
Adams selects: Texas
Toppmeyer’s reaction: A loaded slate worries me, but the talent gives Texas a strong case.
Toppmeyer selects: Oregon
Adams’ reaction: Do I trust Oregon and Dan Lanning after the playoff began? No. Do I trust them to make the playoff? Yes. A fine choice.
Adams selects: Georgia
Toppmeyer’s reaction: Georgia is the safest SEC bet. This year’s squad looks the most complete since 2023, and the schedule is forgiving.
Toppmeyer selects: Ohio State
Adams’ reaction: This mirrors my Texas pick—the schedule is brutal, but the team is strong enough to handle it.
Adams selects: Texas Tech
Toppmeyer’s reaction: I worried I’d lock in a Big 12 pick and you’d jump to BYU. If Brendan Sorsby isn’t playing for Texas Tech, the choice could swing between Tech and BYU. I’m okay with this outcome.
Toppmeyer selects: Indiana
Adams’ reaction: Three straight playoff bids for Indiana? Believe it. Believe in Curt Cignetti.
Adams selects: LSU
Toppmeyer’s reaction: I expect LSU to land in the 9- to 10-win range. If Sam Leavitt returns to form and stays healthy, this pick looks stronger; but any choice carries risk this early.
Toppmeyer selects: Texas A&M
Adams’ reaction: I worried you’d go Alabama. You’re higher on the Tide’s CFP chances than I am. Among the remaining SEC teams, the Aggies look best to me—solid pick.
Adams selects: Southern Cal
Toppmeyer’s reaction: Noooo. You’ve just disrupted our perfect bracket. This pick astonishes me. It’s a jolt that changes the entire dynamic of the bracket.