2025 College Football Playoff Bracket: Week 11 Rankings Update
The 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings just dropped, and fans are already buzzing about the expanded 12-team playoff format. With contenders fighting for a shot at the national championship, the race is getting wild as December creeps closer.
This year’s playoff is only the second time we’ve seen 12 teams, and honestly, it feels like anything could happen. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s up with the 2025 College Football Playoff Bracket—rankings, projected games, and those all-important dates.
Contents
Overview of the 2025 College Football Playoff Bracket
The CFP moved from four teams to twelve starting in 2024, and now we’re seeing just how much more chaotic and inclusive things have gotten. More teams in the hunt means more drama, more upsets, and more fanbases with hope.
The first CFP rankings for 2025 are out, so we finally have a look at where everyone stands and what the first matchups could look like.
Key Features of the Expanded Playoff
The 12-team playoff brings a few key changes:
- Five automatic bids go to the highest-ranked conference champs.
- Seven more spots are filled by the next highest-ranked teams, no matter their conference.
- The top four teams get a bye straight to the quarterfinals.
It’s a setup that rewards conference champs but still makes room for the best teams, even if they didn’t win their conference.
Current Rankings and Projected Matchups
The latest CFP rankings have set up some matchups that could get pretty spicy. Here’s how the first round is shaping up:
- No. 12 Memphis vs. No. 5 Georgia
- No. 9 Oregon vs. No. 8 Texas Tech
- No. 11 Virginia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss
- No. 10 Notre Dame vs. No. 7 BYU
The winners of those games move on to face the top four, who’ll be waiting after their byes:
- No. 4 Alabama vs. winner of Memphis/Georgia
- No. 1 Ohio State vs. winner of Oregon/Texas Tech
- No. 3 Texas A&M vs. winner of Virginia/Ole Miss
- No. 2 Indiana vs. winner of Notre Dame/BYU
Top Teams to Watch
Some teams always draw a bigger spotlight. Ohio State is sitting at No. 1 and, honestly, they just keep rolling. Indiana at No. 2? That’s a shocker—nobody saw them coming, but they’ve earned it.
Texas A&M and Alabama round out the top four. Both are used to this kind of pressure and seem ready for another deep playoff push.
Key Dates and Broadcast Information
The final selection committee rankings for 2025 drop on Sunday, December 7, which is Selection Day. That’s when we’ll get the official bracket and find out where everyone’s headed.
If you want to catch it all, tune into ESPN, ABC, and TNT. There’s no shortage of coverage—expect wall-to-wall football talk.
Importance of Selection Day
Selection Day is a big deal. Teams on the edge will be sweating it out, waiting to see if they made the cut.
Fans start mapping out travel plans, and every committee decision gets picked apart. It’s a day full of nerves, hope, and, yeah, a little controversy.
The Road to the National Championship
With this new format, the path to the title is longer and honestly, way tougher. Teams have to survive up to three playoff games to win it all.
It’s a real test of depth and grit. Whoever wins will have absolutely earned it.
Potential Cinderella Stories
The 12-team bracket gives underdogs a real shot. Memphis, Virginia, BYU—could one of them stun everyone and make a run?
These stories are what make the playoffs so much fun. Upsets, wild finishes, teams nobody expected—bring it on.
Conclusion
The 2025 College Football Playoff is shaping up to be a wild ride. With the new 12-team setup, everything just feels bigger—more teams, more drama, more chaos.
As December creeps closer, every game starts to matter just a little bit more. Upsets? Pretty much guaranteed. And hey, who knows who’ll end up holding that trophy at the end?
If you’re the type who needs every update and rumor, the official 2025 College Football Playoff Bracket coverage is worth checking out. It’s going to be a season to remember—maybe even one for the history books.
