2025 College Football Playoff: Updated Bracket, Schedule, and Quarterfinal Results
The 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) has been a wild ride so far. Upsets and big-time performances have defined this year’s postseason in a way few expected.
With the quarterfinals in the rearview, fans are buzzing about the semifinals and, of course, the looming national championship game. The road to crowning a new champ has been full of surprises—last year’s winners, Ohio State, are out, and underdogs like Miami and Ole Miss have crashed the party.
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Quarterfinal Shocks and Surprises
The quarterfinals brought some jaw-dropping results. No. 10 seed Miami stunned No. 2 Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl, knocking the Buckeyes out and ending any chance of a repeat champion.
Miami’s defense really showed up, shutting down Ohio State’s usually explosive offense. That was probably the biggest shock of the round.
Other Notable Quarterfinal Matches
No. 6 Ole Miss pulled off a tight 39-34 upset over No. 3 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Their offense was rolling, and the defense made stops when it counted.
No. 5 Oregon absolutely dominated No. 4 Texas Tech 23-0 in the Orange Bowl. That shutout left no doubt about Oregon’s strength.
And No. 1 Indiana made a statement by thrashing No. 9 Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl. They looked every bit like the team to beat.
Semifinal Showdowns
Now, it’s on to the semifinals. Four teams left, all fighting for a shot at the title. The matchups are set, and honestly, it’s anyone’s guess who makes it out alive.
Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Miami
The Fiesta Bowl is giving us a battle between two underdogs: No. 6 Ole Miss and No. 10 Miami. Both teams have blown past expectations to get here.
Ole Miss brings a high-flying offense, but Miami’s defense is no joke. It’s a real clash of styles, and it could go either way.
Peach Bowl: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 5 Oregon
Over in the Peach Bowl, No. 1 Indiana faces No. 5 Oregon. Indiana’s been dominant all year, and their win over Alabama only made them look scarier.
Oregon, though, is coming off that shutout of Texas Tech, so they’re not lacking confidence. This one feels like a real test for both teams.
Path to the Championship
The semifinals are locked in for January 8 and 9. Whoever survives the Fiesta and Peach Bowls will meet in the CFP National Championship on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Key Dates and Locations
- Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Miami, January 8, Glendale, Arizona, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Fubo
- Peach Bowl: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 5 Oregon, January 9, Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Fubo
- CFP National Championship: January 19, Miami Gardens, Florida, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Fubo
You can catch all the games on ESPN or stream them on the ESPN App and Fubo. Stakes are sky-high, and every snap could change the story.
New Rules and Format
This year’s playoff brought a few tweaks, now in the second year of the 12-team format. The bracket includes the five highest-ranked conference champs, plus seven at-large teams.
The top four teams got first-round byes, and there’s no reseeding later on. Every team’s path is set from the start, which adds a little extra drama.
First-Round Highlights
The first round set the tone for all the chaos that followed. Here’s how it shook out:
- No. 5 Oregon defeated No. 12 James Madison, 51-34
- No. 6 Ole Miss defeated No. 11 Tulane, 41-10
- No. 10 Miami defeated No. 7 Texas A&M, 10-3
- No. 9 Alabama defeated No. 8 Oklahoma, 34-24
Those results set up the wild quarterfinals and now, here we are, staring down some seriously unpredictable semifinals.
What to Watch For
Heading into the semifinals, a few storylines are impossible to ignore. Some teams look unstoppable, while others just keep proving people wrong.
Can Indiana Maintain Their Dominance?
Indiana’s been the team to watch all season. Their quarterfinal win only hammered that home.
But Oregon isn’t going to roll over in the Peach Bowl. Is Indiana’s run for real, or will Oregon flip the script?
Will the Underdogs Prevail?
Ole Miss and Miami have both shocked everyone to get this far. Their Fiesta Bowl matchup is a showdown between two teams that just don’t quit.
Could one of these underdogs actually go all the way? Stranger things have happened in college football.
Conclusion
The 2025 College Football Playoff has already given us some wild moments. And honestly, the best might still be ahead.
With the semifinals coming up, fans are buzzing about what’s next. Upsets? Overtime drama? Who knows—anything can happen.
Want to keep up with every twist? Catch the games live on ESPN or Fubo. If you’re after the full playoff bracket, schedules, or just need a refresher on how to tune in, take a look at Sporting News.
