Early College Football Playoff Projections Highlight Florida, Tennessee, Alabama Shifts

Alabama's unexpected loss to Florida State in the season opener has significantly altered College Football Playoff projections, with ESPN analysts dropping the Crimson Tide from playoff contention and placing them in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl instead. Florida State's victory, seen as a major upset, has propelled the Seminoles into playoff discussions, generating cautious optimism among fans and analysts alike; some even predict a playoff appearance for Florida State, marking a dramatic turnaround from their previous 2-10 season. Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis praised the state's teams, including Florida State, Miami, and USF, for their strong starts and expressed hope that Florida could regain its status as a college football powerhouse. Lee Corso notably predicted Florida State's upset over Alabama during his final College GameDay appearance, adding to the excitement surrounding Florida teams this season. Additionally, Tennessee has emerged as a potential playoff contender following a solid Week 1 performance, with analysts placing the Volunteers among projected playoff teams due to their strong offense and defense. Overall, early results have shaken up traditional expectations, highlighting Florida's resurgence and Alabama's vulnerability under the expanded 12-team playoff format.