2024 will be the first year of a new edition of the College Football Playoff, tripling the number of participating teams from four to 12. On Tuesday, college football journalist Andy Staples offered his prediction for how this year's playoff will ultimately play out, and it was an eye-opener, to say the least.

NEW: Preseason College Football Playoff Predictions 12-Team Field Andy Staples🏆

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To earn a top-four seed, a team must win their conference. The top-four conference winner receives a first-round exemption, so two teams from the same conference cannot both receive an exemption. Staples predicts Georgia will win the SEC and earn the No. 2 seed, while Alabama will earn the No. 5 seed.

While the lack of a bye week may be disappointing for Crimson Tide fans, there is a bright side. For the first time in CFP history, the first round of the playoffs will be played on a 2-0 schedule. On campusThat means Staples' scenario would see a playoff game against Boise State at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The winner would face No. 4 seed Kansas State, likely the lowest-ranked power-conference champion. If the Tide beat the Wildcats, they would likely face No. 1 seed Ohio State, which Staples predicts will be the team they play.

Staples predicted five total teams from the SEC will make the playoff: No. 2 seed Georgia, No. 5 seed Alabama, No. 7 seed Texas, No. 10 seed Ole Miss and No. 11 seed Tennessee.

College football is entering a new era, and we're just beginning to see the upheaval that could come with a 12-team playoff era. Either way, 2024 will be a season to remember.

Michael Browner is a senior sports analyst and contributor to Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. translation: Listen to him weekdays from 6am to 9am. WNSP-FM 105.5's “Opening Kickoff” Available online for free.