2025 College Football Playoff Rankings, Matchups, and Full Schedule Revealed
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) field is set, and it looks like we’re in for some wild matchups and plenty of drama. Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech grabbed the top four seeds, so they’ll get to skip the first round and rest up.
This year’s bracket has already stirred up controversy, especially with the ACC left out—even though Miami finished 10-2. But hey, at least we get two Group of Five champs in the mix: Tulane and James Madison. That’s a twist I didn’t see coming.
Contents
Top Four Seeds and First-Round Byes
After a tough season, the top four in the 12-team bracket are locked in. These teams get a straight shot to the quarterfinals, which is a pretty big deal.
Indiana: The Top Seed
Indiana landed the No. 1 seed after going 13-0 and beating Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship. The Hoosiers looked sharp all year, showing grit and some real flashes of brilliance.
Ohio State: A Close Second
Ohio State, even with their loss to Indiana, managed the No. 2 seed with a 12-1 record. The Buckeyes have been tough, and you can’t really count them out at this stage.
Georgia: SEC Champions
Georgia took the No. 3 seed after going 12-1 and winning the SEC. The Bulldogs have been steady and, let’s be honest, a little intimidating at times.
Texas Tech: Big 12 Champions
Texas Tech rounds out the top four, grabbing the No. 4 seed with a 12-1 record and the Big 12 title. The Red Raiders have been a bit of a surprise, but they earned their spot.
Controversy and Surprises
Of course, it wouldn’t be a CFP announcement without some raised eyebrows. The ACC champion got left out, which has people talking.
ACC Champion Left Out
Duke won the ACC with a 7-5 record, but that wasn’t enough for a playoff spot. Instead, Miami, at 10-2, slipped into the top 12—even though they didn’t play in the ACC title game. Notre Dame, also 10-2, missed out after losing to Miami earlier.
Group of Five Champions Make the Cut
With the ACC champ out, two Group of Five teams made the bracket. Tulane, at No. 11, finished 11-2, and James Madison, at No. 12, went 12-1. That should shake things up a bit.
Full Rankings and Matchups
Here’s how the 2025 CFP rankings look, plus the first-round matchups:
- Indiana, 13-0 (Big Ten champion)
- Ohio State, 12-1
- Georgia, 12-1 (SEC champion)
- Texas Tech, 12-1 (Big 12 champion)
- Oregon, 11-1
- Ole Miss, 11-1
- Texas A&M, 11-1
- Oklahoma, 10-2
- Alabama, 10-3
- Miami, 10-2
- Tulane, 11-2
- James Madison, 12-1
First-Round Matchups
Here’s what the first round will look like:
- No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon
- No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss
- No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M
- No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma
Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Championship Schedule
The big games are set for some legendary stadiums. Here’s the rundown:
Quarterfinals
- Cotton Bowl: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
- Orange Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Garden, Florida
- Rose Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California
- Sugar Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
Semifinals
- Fiesta Bowl: Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
- Peach Bowl: Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
Championship
The national championship is set for Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Garden, Florida. Can’t wait to see who comes out on top this season.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff is shaping up to be an unforgettable event. Top teams like Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech are leading the way.
There are some surprising inclusions too, like Tulane and James Madison. Fans are definitely in for a treat this year.
For more details on rankings, matchups, and the full schedule, check out the NBC Miami Sports News page.
We’ll be following all the action as it happens. The road to the championship is filled with wild matchups and probably a few jaw-dropping moments.
