Oregon Ducks Expected to Host First-Round CFP Game vs South Carolina

College football bowl and playoff projections are shaping up after the second week of the 2025 season, with several teams positioned for notable postseason matchups. Duke is projected by USA TODAY Sports to play South Carolina in the Duke's Mayo Bowl, a unique pairing given the bowl's namesake and the geographic convenience for Duke fans. Oregon Ducks, following a dominant win over Oklahoma State, have climbed to a No. 6 seed in CBS Sports' College Football Playoff projection, likely hosting South Carolina in the first round before potentially facing Miami in the quarterfinals. LSU is ranked No. 3 in ESPN's Heather Dinich's playoff projection, buoyed by a key early-season win and a strong strength of record metric, with expectations to win the SEC and secure a first-round bye. Houston Cougars, having started their season strongly, are projected by CBS Sports to reach the Liberty Bowl against Ole Miss, marking progress from the previous year. These projections highlight a highly competitive landscape with teams from the ACC, SEC, Pac-12, and Big Ten all vying for postseason success.