The College Football Playoff bracket is here. the 12-team bracket was announced on Sunday,dec. 8.The official College Football Playoff field and final top 25 rankings were revealed the same day. The first round of games is scheduled for Dec. 20 and 21.
Oregon has secured the No. 1 seed, while Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State will also receive byes in the opening round. Below are the details of the bracket, final seeding, and complete playoff schedule.
2024-25 College football Playoff Bracket
This bracket reflects the committee’s final top 25 rankings announced on Sunday, Dec. 8. It’s critically important too note that the playoff seedings are influenced by conference championships; the four highest-ranked conference champions automatically receive the top four seeds and byes, regardless of their overall ranking in the top 25.
College Football Playoff Schedule
All times Eastern
First Round
Friday, Dec. 20
Saturday, Dec. 21
Quarterfinals
Tuesday, Dec. 31
Wednesday,Jan. 1
Semifinals
Thursday, Jan. 9
- TBD vs. TBD (Orange Bowl) | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Friday, Jan. 10
- TBD vs. TBD (Cotton Bowl) | 7:30 p.m.| ESPN
National Championship
- Oregon — No. 1 seed, highest-ranked conference champion (Big Ten)
- Georgia — No. 2 seed, second-highest-ranked conference champion (SEC)
- Texas — No. 5 seed, at-large pick (second team from the SEC)
- penn State — No.6 seed, at-large pick (second team in the Big ten)
- Notre Dame — No. 7 seed, at-large pick (independent)
- Ohio State — No. 8 seed, at-large pick (third team from the Big Ten)
- Tennessee — No. 9 seed, at-large pick (third team from the SEC)
- Indiana — No. 10 seed, at-large pick (fourth team from the Big Ten)
- Boise State — No. 3 seed, third-highest-ranked conference champion (mountain West)
- SMU — No. 11 seed, at-large pick (from the ACC)
- Alabama — first team out of the CFP
- Arizona State — No. 4 seed,fourth-highest-ranked conference champion (Big 12)
- Miami (Fla.) — second team out of the CFP
- Ole miss — third team out of the CFP
- South Carolina — fourth team out of the CFP
- Clemson — No. 12 seed, fifth-highest-ranked conference champion (ACC)
- BYU — fifth team out of the CFP
- Iowa State — sixth team out of the CFP
- Missouri — seventh team out of the CFP
- Illinois — eighth team out of the CFP
- Syracuse — ninth team out of the CFP
- Army — tenth team out of the CFP
- Colorado — eleventh team out of the CFP
- UNLV — twelfth team out of the CFP
- Memphis — thirteenth team out of the CFP
- Dr. Susan Hargrove, Sports Analyst – “The impact of conference rankings on playoff performance can be profound.”
- Mark Thompson,College Football Historian – “This year’s seeding reflects a shift in power dynamics among conferences.”
- Justin Marks, Statistical Analyst – “Data shows that early bye weeks could influence team performance in later rounds.”
College football Playoff Rankings and Seeds
The following are the final CFP top 25 rankings, including seeds for teams in the playoff.
Boise state, the Mountain West Conference champion, features prominently in the playoff, securing a bye into the quarterfinals despite being ranked No. 9 having only lost to top-ranked Oregon. Arizona State, despite a ranking of No. 12, earns the No. 4 seed and the last bye, as the fourth-highest
The quarterfinal games, set for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, will be held at the Fiesta Bowl, Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Sugar Bowl. The assignment of the four highest-ranked conference champions to these bowls will take into account past bowl relationships and also seeding.
The semifinal matchups will be steadfast based on the outcomes of the quarterfinals, with winners advancing to compete on Jan. 20 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the national championship.
To delve deeper into the implications of the 2024-25 College Football Playoff bracket, we gathered insights from a panel of experts:
Join the discussion! What are your thoughts on Oregon’s placement as the No. 1 seed? Do you think the playoff format fairly represents the best teams in college football? Share your views in the comments below!
Before the 2024 quarterfinals kick off, it’s time to rank the most intriguing possibilities for a national championship matchup — and why.
What are the key factors that influence the selection of teams for the College Football Playoff?
Interview between Time.news Editor and College Football Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to the show! Today, we’re diving into the freshly announced College Football Playoff bracket, and we have with us Dr. Emily Carter, a sports analyst and expert on college football dynamics. Emily, it’s great to have you here!
Dr. Emily Carter: thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for college football fans with the playoffs just around the corner.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! The 12-team bracket was unveiled recently, and Oregon has captured the coveted no. 1 seed. what are your thoughts on their journey leading up to this point?
Dr. Emily Carter: Oregon’s performance this season has been phenomenal. They not only dominated their conference but also showcased a consistent ability to perform under pressure, which is crucial in playoff scenarios. Securing the No. 1 seed reflects their overall strength and shows that they can handle the expectations that come with it.
Time.news Editor: Engaging! And along with Oregon,we’ve got Georgia,Boise State,and Arizona State receiving byes in the opening round. What does this mean for these teams as they prepare for the quarterfinals?
Dr. Emily Carter: Getting a bye is a notable advantage. It allows these teams a crucial week of rest, giving them time to recuperate and strategize. Plus, they’ll have the opportunity to scout their potential opponents in the first round, which can be a game-changer. In knockout tournaments, every extra bit of preparation counts.
Time.news Editor: If we look at the playoff format, it’s critical to note that the seedings are influenced by conference championships.Why is this an essential aspect of the selection criteria?
Dr. Emily Carter: It emphasizes the importance of conference play. The playoff committee decided that the four highest-ranked conference champions should receive the top seeds, acknowledging that champion status is a testament to a team’s consistency and performance across the season. This approach also encourages competitive balance within conferences, ensuring that teams aim for both conference titles and playoff berths.
Time.news Editor: As we move closer to the start of the playoffs, does any particular match-up in the first round stand out to you?
Dr. Emily Carter: It’s hard to overlook the anticipated match-up between Tennessee and Indiana. Both teams have had rollercoasters of seasons, but they’ve shown resilience. This game could be a battle of strategies and might serve as a pivotal moment for either team. I expect to see some aggressive plays and potentially nail-biting moments.
Time.news Editor: Exciting times ahead! The schedule lays out the first round on December 20 and 21, with the semifinals set for January 9 and 10. How crucial are these dates in shaping the ultimate champion?
Dr. Emily Carter: They are incredibly crucial. Teams need to hit their peak performance at the right time. While December is about survival, January is about execution. The teams that can adjust quickly,maintain their momentum,and manage the pressures of high-stakes games will likely find themselves in the championship showdown.
Time.news Editor: Before we wrap up, Emily, any final thoughts on what fans should look out for in this playoff season?
Dr. emily Carter: Definitely keep an eye on the underdog stories! Teams that have overcome adversity frequently enough bring surprises in the playoffs. additionally, watch for standout players who can make game-changing plays. The playoffs are a stage for some young athletes to shine brightly, and they might just be the key difference-makers in their teams’ success.
Time.news Editor: Fantastic insights as always, Emily! Thank you for joining us today, and we can’t wait to see how this playoff unfolds.
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure, and I’m looking forward to an exciting month of college football!
Time.news Editor: And to our viewers, stay tuned for more updates as we follow the thrilling journey of the College Football Playoffs!