On the latest episode of the Josh Pate Show, the host unveiled a bold fantasy college football playoff bracket that prioritizes entertainment as much as competition.
Rather than mirroring the official selection process, Pate crafted a lineup that leans into storylines, surprise pairings and the kind of matchups that get fans talking.
The bracket features a mix of traditional powerhouses and surprising entrants, including Indiana, Oregon, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas, Alabama, LSU, Miami and others, each placed to spark new rivalries or revive old ones.
Among the highlighted pairings are Indiana versus Oregon, a clash that could become the second‑best rivalry in the sport, and Ohio State against Notre Dame, a series that has already produced two of the last three seasons’ most memorable games.
Pate noted that the historic Buckeyes and Fighting Irish have met twice in the past three years, underscoring a budding rivalry that the bracket aims to amplify.
The SEC still commands considerable influence in college football, and its presence in the imagined field serves as a reminder of the conference’s enduring ‘juice’.
With a new season on the horizon, the discussion turned to the influx of talent and the playoff format’s capacity to deliver unpredictable outcomes, ensuring that fans will continue to enjoy the fight for the top spot.
A bracket built for drama
The exercise not only showcases Pate’s creativity but also reflects the broader appeal of college football — its rivalries, its pageantry and the endless what‑if scenarios that keep the sport alive.