Our First Official Look at the Potential Postseason Matchups
Every November, the PCFB landscape shifts from chaotic week-to-week warfare into a larger, more strategic picture: playoff positioning. While there are still multiple weeks left in the regular season — and several highly ranked teams face brutal schedules ahead — Week 10 gives us our first true snapshot of what a 12-team PCFB playoff would look like if the season ended today.
Of course, nothing is finalized. Rivalry matchups, conference title games, and late-season chaos will inevitably shake this bracket into a new shape. Still, the early look never fails to bring excitement, debate, and plenty of hypothetical fireworks.
So let’s break it down matchup by matchup, from the final at-large seed all the way to the No. 1 overall team.
THE PLAYOFF BRACKET IF THE SEASON ENDED TODAY
Top Four Seeds – First-Round Byes
- Texas
- Michigan
- Florida
- Notre Dame
These four juggernauts would skip the opening round and await winners from the 12–5, 11–6, 10–7, and 9–8 games. Texas, Michigan, and Florida each have dominant résumés that separate them from the rest of the country, while Notre Dame’s consistency and defensive efficiency earns them the coveted fourth bye.
OPENING ROUND MATCHUPS
Below are the hypothetical first-round games, played at the higher seed’s home stadium. Every one of these matchups brings drama, contrasting styles, and potential upsets.
12. Middle Tennessee vs 5. Clemson
Winner faces No. 4 Notre Dame
Middle Tennessee enters the playoff picture as the Cinderella of the 12-team field. Their scrappy, high-tempo offense would be tested immediately against Clemson, a team that has rediscovered its identity on both sides of the ball.
Why This Game Is Fun:
Clemson’s defense thrives on discipline and speed, while Middle Tennessee thrives on chaos and tempo. If MTSU can turn this into a track meet, things get interesting. But if Clemson controls the clock and plays clean football, they should advance.
Winner would meet Notre Dame — which sets up a rematch of one of the best playoff games from a few seasons ago. The Tigers vs. the Irish in South Bend is a heavyweight bout fans would love to see again.
9. Wake Forest vs 8. Nebraska
Winner faces No. 1 Texas
There may not be a more evenly matched game in the first round. Wake Forest brings an elite offense with a veteran quarterback who has been shredding secondaries all season. Nebraska brings physicality, discipline, and a defense that forces opponents into uncomfortable situations.
Wake’s Identity: Big-play offense, aggressive play-calling, and the ability to score on any drive.
Nebraska’s Identity: Toughness, efficiency, and a clock-killing run game.
This is the type of matchup where the game’s rhythm determines everything. If Nebraska turns it into a 27–21 grindfest, the Cornhuskers likely pull it out. If Wake hits two or three explosive touchdowns early, they could take the Huskers out of their comfort zone.
Winner gets Texas, the No. 1 seed — and Texas would rather not face either. Both teams are stylistically annoying matchups for the Longhorns.
11. San Jose State vs 6. Tennessee
Winner faces No. 3 Florida
San Jose State sneaks into the playoff field after a strong late-season surge, and their reward is a date with Tennessee’s aggressive, uptempo, and versatile offense. This game may be the mismatch of the first round — but SJSU has pulled off more than one upset this year.
Key Factors:
- Tennessee boasts a top-10 scoring offense.
- SJSU’s secondary is one of the most experienced in the bracket.
- Vols WRs vs SJSU DBs is the matchup to watch.
If Tennessee gets rolling early, this one could get out of hand fast. But San Jose State’s ability to create turnovers gives them a puncher’s chance. And if they do stun Tennessee? The payoff is enormous:
The winner walks into The Swamp to face No. 3 Florida.
Lagway vs SJSU or Lagway vs Tennessee would each be explosive in different ways, and Florida fans would pack The Swamp to capacity for that second-round showdown.
10. Auburn vs 7. SMU
Winner faces No. 2 Michigan
If you like fireworks, this is the game. Auburn’s high-flying offensive creativity against SMU’s ultra-efficient, razor-sharp passing attack. These two teams don’t just score — they score fast.
Why Auburn Can Win:
They thrive in chaos and can score in bunches. They’re athletic enough to challenge SMU’s linebackers in space.
Why SMU Can Win:
Kevin Jennings. The quarterback is currently third in the Heisman race and is arguably the cleanest passer in the nation. Auburn’s secondary will be tested more in this game than in any other this season.
Expect a shootout, expect emotional swings, and expect both fanbases to think the game is over five times before the fourth quarter ends.
The winner heads to Ann Arbor to face No. 2 Michigan, a brutal assignment for any team — but one h*** of a stage for a giant-slayer.
SECOND ROUND LOOKAHEAD
Let’s take a quick look at what the quarterfinal matchups would be if the higher seeds advance — purely hypothetical, but extremely exciting.
(4) Notre Dame vs (5) Clemson
A defensive slugfest with massive implications. A rematch of a classic. Physicality at its peak.
(1) Texas vs (8) Nebraska
Texas would be heavily favored, but Nebraska’s trench strength is exactly the kind of matchup that forces the Longhorns to work.
(3) Florida vs (6) Tennessee
A rivalry game with playoff stakes. DJ Lagway vs Tennessee’s offense. Electricity.
(2) Michigan vs (7) SMU
Michigan’s defense vs Jennings’ precision passing? That’s a chess match fans would beg to see.
WHY THESE MATCHUPS MATTER IN WEEK 10
This bracket isn’t set in stone — far from it. But Week 10 is when the fog on the playoff race begins to fade. The top seeds separate themselves, the middle teams fight for positioning, and the final few spots become a battle of survival.
What we can take away:
Texas, Michigan, Florida, and Notre Dame have built separation.
These four are almost guaranteed playoff teams barring collapse.
Seeds 5–10 are pure chaos.
Clemson, Tennessee, SMU, Nebraska, Wake Forest, and Auburn are separated by razor-thin margins. One big win or one bad loss can flip their ordering completely.
The final two seeds may change weekly.
Middle Tennessee, San Jose State, and a handful of just-outside teams will be fighting tooth and nail. One upset can create a brand new playoff picture overnight.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
The beauty of the Week 10 playoff projection is how unstable it is. Rivalry week is coming. Conference championships loom. Injuries, weather games, hot streaks, and cold streaks always reshape the rankings this late in the season.
But for now, this is our first official look at a postseason that promises to be explosive from the opening kickoff.
