2025-26 College Football Playoff Bracket: Teams, Schedule, and Scores
The excitement is real—the 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) bracket is finally set. Twelve elite teams are in, all with a shot at the national championship.
This year, the CFP sticks with its 12-team format for a second run. The journey starts December 19th and wraps up with the national title game on January 19th.
Fans are in for some wild matchups and maybe a few surprises. Let’s take a closer look at this year’s playoff bracket and schedule.
Contents
2025-26 College Football Playoff Bracket Overview
The selection committee has dropped its final rankings, locking in the 12 teams. The top four get a first-round bye, which is a pretty nice advantage if you ask me.
Here’s the full list, seeds 1 through 12:
- 1. Indiana*
- 2. Ohio State*
- 3. Georgia*
- 4. Texas Tech*
- 5. Oregon^
- 6. Ole Miss^
- 7. Texas A&M^
- 8. Oklahoma^
- 9. Alabama
- 10. Miami
- 11. Tulane
- 12. James Madison
*Top four teams get a first-round bye.
^ Indicates a team hosting a first-round game.
First Round Matchups and Schedule
First round kicks off December 19th. Four games, all with a lot at stake.
Friday, December 19
No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama
Time: 8 pm ET
Broadcast: ABC, ESPN, WatchESPN
Saturday, December 20
No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Miami
Time: Noon ET
Broadcast: ABC, ESPN
No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 Tulane
Time: 3:30 pm ET
Broadcast: TNT, HBO Max
No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 James Madison
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Broadcast: TNT, HBO Max
Quarterfinal Matchups and Schedule
Winners from the first round move on to the quarterfinals. These games drop on December 31st and January 1st at some of the most iconic bowl venues.
Wednesday, December 31
Cotton Bowl in Arlington, TX
No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Texas A&M/No. 10 Miami winner
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Broadcast: ESPN
Thursday, January 1
Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, FL
No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon/No. 12 James Madison winner
Time: Noon ET
Broadcast: ESPN
Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA
No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 8 Oklahoma/No. 9 Alabama winner
Time: 4 pm ET
Broadcast: ESPN
Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, LA
No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss/No. 11 Tulane winner
Time: 8 pm ET
Broadcast: ESPN
Semifinal Matchups and Schedule
Semifinals are set for January 8th and 9th. The four left standing will fight for a spot in the championship.
Thursday, January 8
Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Broadcast: ESPN
Friday, January 9
Peach Bowl in Atlanta, GA
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Broadcast: ESPN
National Championship Game
It all comes down to this—January 19th at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. Two teams, one trophy, and a whole lot of nerves.
Monday, January 19
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Broadcast: ESPN
Key Storylines to Watch
This year’s playoff is loaded with drama and a few wild cards. Here’s what’s catching my eye:
- Indiana’s Rise to the Top: Indiana grabbed the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. Can they keep the magic alive and win it all?
- Ohio State’s Quest for Glory: The Buckeyes are always in the mix. Will they add another title to their packed trophy case?
- Underdog Stories: James Madison and Tulane are still standing. Maybe they’ve got a little more magic left.
- Traditional Powerhouses: Alabama and Georgia know this stage. Does experience give them the edge this year?
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff is shaping up to be a wild ride. There’s just something electric about seeing the best teams in the country go head-to-head.
From those first-round matchups all the way to the national championship, fans are in for some serious excitement. If you want to keep up with score updates, stats, or just can’t stand missing a beat, bookmark this page and check back as the playoff unfolds.
