ESPN's Updates College Football Playoff 2026 Bubble Watch After Week 5

ESPN’s Heather Dinich released her latest College Football Playoff Bubble Watch following Week 5, with LSU comfortably in the projected 12-team field.

Dinich has the Tigers as the No. 11 seed, traveling to face No. 6 Notre Dame in the first round. The winner would advance to take on No. 3 Georgia in the quarterfinals.

Bracket

First-round byes
No. 1 Texas (SEC champ)
No. 2 Ohio State (Big Ten champ)
No. 3 Georgia
No. 4 Miami (ACC champ)

First-round games
On campus, Dec. 18 and 19
No. 12 Boise State (highest Group of 6) at No. 5 Alabama
No. 11 LSU at No. 6 Notre Dame
No. 10 Ole Miss at No. 7 Indiana
No. 9 Florida at No. 8 BYU (Big 12 champ)

Quarterfinal games
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 30, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic and Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential on Jan. 1.
No. 12 Boise State/No. 5 Alabama winner vs. No. 4 Miami
No. 11 LSU/No. 6 Notre Dame winner vs. No. 3 Georgia
No. 10 Ole Miss/No. 7 Indiana winner vs. No. 2 Ohio State
No. 9 Florida/No. 8 BYU winner vs. No. 1 Texas