2025 NCAA D3 Football Playoffs: Schedule, Bracket, TV, Live Stream Info
The 2025 NCAA Division III football playoffs are here, and you can feel the buzz as teams prep for their shot at the Stagg Bowl. This year’s bracket? Absolutely loaded—talent everywhere, and some real heavy hitters ready to clash.
North Central wants to defend their title, while Mount Union is hungry to get back on top. If you’re a college football fan, this postseason is shaping up to be wild. Let’s dig into schedules, matchups, and how to watch without missing a beat.
Contents
North Central’s Dominance and Key Contenders
North Central has become the team everyone is chasing in Division III. They’re the reigning champs, and this season, only one opponent even got within 30 points of them.
They’ve made it to the Stagg Bowl five times in recent years and won three of those. Honestly, they’re just a juggernaut right now.
Mount Union: The Storied Program
Mount Union, with its 13 D3 titles, is basically the gold standard for this level of football. They lost to North Central in last year’s final, but you know they’re itching for their first Stagg Bowl win since 2017.
The Purple Raiders are never out of it. Would you really bet against them?
Other Notable Contenders
Sure, North Central and Mount Union are the favorites, but a few other squads could shake things up:
- Johns Hopkins: Disciplined, smart, and always well-coached.
- Bethel: They just keep proving they belong in the conversation.
- Wisconsin-Whitewater: You can’t talk D3 playoffs without mentioning them.
Playoff Schedule and Broadcast Information
The 2025 D3 playoffs are getting a lot of coverage this year. Plenty of live streams and broadcasts to keep up with—no need to miss a snap.
First Round Matchups
The first round kicks off November 22. Some matchups to circle:
- Muhlenberg vs. Union (NY): 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- LaGrange vs. Framingham State: 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Susquehanna vs. Washington & Jefferson: 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Springfield vs. Cortland: 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Hanover vs. Grove City: 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Concordia Wisconsin vs. Coe: 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Wheaton (IL) vs. Crown (MN): 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Whitworth vs. Chapman: 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+
Second Round Matchups
Second round is set for November 29. Some of these could be instant classics:
- Mount Union vs. Muhlenberg/Union (NY): 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- John Carroll vs. Randolph-Macon: 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Berry vs. LaGrange/Framingham State: 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Hope vs. Wisconsin-La Crosse: 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Franklin & Marshall vs. Eastern: 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Salisbury vs. Endicott: 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Johns Hopkins vs. Springfield/Cortland: 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Christopher Newport vs. Susquehanna/Wash. & Jeff.: 12 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Trinity (TX) vs. Hardin-Simmons: 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- North Central (IL) vs. Hanover/Grove City: 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Wisconsin-Platteville vs. Alma: 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Bethel (MN) vs. Concordia Wisconsin/Coe: 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Wartburg vs. Wheaton (IL)/Crown (MN): 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Wisconsin-Whitewater vs. DePauw: 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Saint John’s (MN) vs. Monmouth (IL): 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- UW-River Falls vs. Whitworth/Chapman: 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+
Key Dates and Viewing Options
Here are the dates to scribble down if you care about the playoff picture:
- First Round: November 22
- Second Round: November 29
- Third Round: December 6
- Quarterfinals: December 13
- Semifinals: December 20
- Final (Stagg Bowl): January 4
The Stagg Bowl itself will be on ESPN, and you can stream it through Fubo if you want to try a free trial. For earlier rounds, ESPN+ is your best bet for streaming live.
Historical Context and Recent Champions
History always adds some flavor, right? Here’s a look at the last 10 D3 football champs:
| Year | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | North Central (Ill.) | Mount Union |
| 2023 | Cortland | North Central (Ill.) |
| 2022 | North Central (Ill.) | Mount Union |
| 2021 | Mary Hardin-Baylor | North Central (Ill.) |
| 2019 | North Central (Ill.) | Wisconsin-Whitewater |
| 2018 | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Mount Union |
| 2017 | Mount Union | Mary Hardin-Baylor |
| 2016 | Mary Hardin-Baylor | Wisconsin-Oshkosh |
| 2015 | Mount Union | St. Thomas (Minn.) |
| 2014 | Wisconsin-Whitewater | Mount Union |
Conclusion
The 2025 NCAA Division III football playoffs are shaping up to be a wild ride. Top teams will be fighting hard for that championship.
Even if you just tune in now and then, there’s a good chance you’ll find something exciting. ESPN+ and ESPN will have the games, and the Stagg Bowl is set for January 4.
If you want the nitty-gritty—schedules, broadcast info, all that jazz—take a look at the full bracket and more over at Sporting News.
