2025-26 College Football Playoff: Bracket, Scores, Schedule, and Matchups
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) season is here, and you can feel the buzz. Twelve top-tier teams are chasing the national championship, and the stakes feel higher than ever.
This year’s bracket, set by the College Football Playoff selection committee on December 7, lines up a seriously competitive group of programs. With the CFP now in its second year of the 12-team format, fans get a longer, wilder postseason ride.
The playoff action gets underway on December 19 and will wrap up with the national title game on January 19. Let’s get into the matchups, scores, and those moments that make this playoff journey so memorable.
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The Road to the Championship: First Round Highlights
The first round started December 19, with four games that were anything but dull. Each matchup brought its own drama, and a few surprises too.
Alabama vs. Oklahoma
No. 9 Alabama squared off against No. 8 Oklahoma in a game that had plenty of eyes on it. Alabama came out on top, 34-24, showing off their grit and some pretty sharp offense.
That win kept Alabama’s championship hopes alive, at least for now.
Miami vs. Texas A&M
No. 10 Miami faced No. 7 Texas A&M in what turned out to be a defensive slugfest. Miami edged out Texas A&M, 10-3, thanks mostly to a defense that just wouldn’t budge.
Ole Miss vs. Tulane
No. 6 Ole Miss took on No. 11 Tulane and honestly, it wasn’t close. Ole Miss rolled to a 41-10 victory, with their offense clicking and the defense locking things down.
Oregon vs. James Madison
No. 5 Oregon met No. 12 James Madison in a game that turned into a shootout. Oregon pulled away, winning 51-34, with an offense that just kept piling on points.
Quarterfinal Showdowns: New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
The quarterfinals brought four huge matchups, all with a ticket to the semifinals on the line. These games landed on December 31 and January 1, right in the heart of the holiday buzz.
Cotton Bowl: Miami vs. Ohio State
No. 10 Miami kept their wild run going, beating No. 2 Ohio State, 24-14. Miami’s mix of steady offense and tough defense was just too much for the Buckeyes.
Orange Bowl: Oregon vs. Texas Tech
No. 5 Oregon looked locked in against No. 4 Texas Tech, shutting them out 23-0. Oregon’s defense was airtight, and their offense did what was needed to move on.
Rose Bowl: Indiana vs. Alabama
No. 1 Indiana made a statement by crushing No. 9 Alabama, 38-3. Their offense was on another level, and Alabama just couldn’t get anything going.
Sugar Bowl: Ole Miss vs. Georgia
No. 6 Ole Miss pulled off a stunner against No. 3 Georgia, winning 39-34. It was a back-and-forth battle, but Ole Miss found something extra in the closing minutes.
Semifinal Matchups: Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl
The semifinals are set, and it’s hard not to get a little hyped. Four teams left, two games, and a shot at the national title on the line.
Fiesta Bowl: Ole Miss vs. Miami
No. 6 Ole Miss meets No. 10 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl on January 8. Both squads have gone further than most expected, and this one could go either way.
Ole Miss brings firepower on offense, but Miami’s defense has been a wall. Should be a fun one.
Peach Bowl: Indiana vs. Oregon
No. 1 Indiana faces No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl on January 9. Indiana’s been rolling all season, but Oregon’s offense can light up the scoreboard in a hurry.
Honestly, this might be the matchup to watch if you like points and a bit of chaos. Both teams will leave it all out there.
Looking Ahead: The National Championship Game
The winners of the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl are headed to the national championship game. That game’s set for January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL.
Honestly, the stage couldn’t be bigger, and fans are buzzing. Who’s actually going to take home the 2025-26 College Football Playoff trophy? We’ll have to wait and see.
If you want to keep up with the latest scores, stats, or just need a quick recap, the NBC Sports College Football Playoff page is a solid place to check in. They’ve got pretty much everything covered for the playoff journey, so you won’t miss any big moments.
