Story perspectives

Florida earns CFP first-round bye after 52–28 win

By Drooid · Sep 27, 2026, 10:36 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Florida Gators earned a first-round bye with a 52–28 win over Ole Miss.
Oregon Ducks, with backup QB Dylan Raiola, beat USC 41–27, dropping the Trojans from the projected CFP bracket.
The CFP will feature a 12-team field, five Power Four champions and a Group of Six bid.
Projected first-round matchups are Boise State at Ohio State and BYU at Florida.

History

Historical Context

After the CFP debuted in 2014 with four champions—Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State—the board began studying expansion in June 2021. Resistance fell in September 2022 when USC and UCLA announced moves to the Big Ten, prompting a unanimous vote to adopt a 12-team playoff starting in the 2024 season. The larger field aims to reshape conference revenue and access.

1 of 2

Story summary

Florida Gators earned a first-round bye with a 52–28 win over Ole Miss.
Oregon Ducks, with backup QB Dylan Raiola, beat USC 41–27, dropping the Trojans from the projected CFP bracket.
The CFP will feature a 12-team field, five Power Four champions and a Group of Six bid.
Projected first-round matchups are Boise State at Ohio State and BYU at Florida.

1 / 2