College Football Playoff 2025: Indiana Leads, Miami Edges Notre Dame
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) lineup is set, and there’s a surprise at the very top. The Indiana Hoosiers, after an undefeated regular season, have grabbed the No. 1 seed in the CFP Rankings.
This is a huge moment for Indiana, a program that’s been completely transformed under coach Curt Cignetti. Their wild win over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game really pushed them into the national spotlight.
With the playoffs on the horizon, let’s take a look at the matchups, the standout players, and maybe try to guess what might happen next.
Contents
The Top Four Seeds
It’s the second season for the 12-team playoff format, which means the top four seeds get to skip the first round. This year, those top spots belong to:
No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers (13-0) have stunned just about everyone by landing the No. 1 seed. With Heisman front-runner Fernando Mendoza at quarterback, Indiana survived some real nail-biters on the road against Iowa, Oregon, and Penn State.
Their commanding win over Ohio State in the Big Ten title game made their case undeniable. It’s Indiana’s second playoff appearance in a row, and now they’re eyeing their first-ever national championship. Wouldn’t that be something?
No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes
Even after falling to Indiana, the Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1) hold the No. 2 seed. The defending champs are aiming for back-to-back titles and their third CFP trophy overall.
Ohio State managed to replace both coordinators, their quarterback, and a bunch of key players from last year’s squad. They kicked things off with a gritty 14-7 win over then-No. 1 Texas and have looked strong all season.
No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia (12-1) rolls into the playoffs riding a nine-game winning streak. Their dominant showing against Alabama in the SEC Championship locked up the No. 3 seed.
Quarterback Gunner Stockton leads a team that’s balanced and seasoned. Maybe they’re not quite as intimidating as those back-to-back title teams in 2021-22, but Georgia’s still a tough out. You’d be brave to count them out.
No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech (12-1) has put together a season that almost no one saw coming, helped along by billionaire booster Cody Campbell. Their only loss came at Arizona State when QB Behren Morton was sidelined by injury.
Over the last six games, they’ve outscored opponents 245-43. The Red Raiders are hoping their high-octane offense can carry them deep into the playoffs.
First-Round Matchups
With the top four on bye, the first round is loaded with some pretty intriguing games. All of these will be played at the home stadiums of the higher-seeded teams.
No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 James Madison
The Oregon Ducks (11-1) get to host James Madison (12-1). Oregon’s battled through a bunch of offensive injuries but still boasts the nation’s No. 4 total defense.
James Madison, the fifth-highest ranked conference champ, hasn’t lost since Week 2. Oregon’s defense against JMU’s explosive offense? That could get interesting.
No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 Tulane
Ole Miss (11-1) will take on Tulane (11-2) in a rematch from earlier this year. The Rebels won that first meeting 45-10.
They’re now led by Pete Golding, who was promoted after Lane Kiffin left for LSU. Tulane, the fourth-highest ranked conference champion, is led by dual-threat QB Jake Retzlaff. Tulane’s got a shot at payback here—maybe they’ll make it count.
No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Miami (FL)
Texas A&M (11-1) hosts Miami (FL) (10-2). The Aggies, in their second year under Mike Elko, have been rock-solid on defense, especially on third downs.
Miami started out hot, stumbled in the middle, but finished with four big wins to earn a playoff spot. It’ll be Texas A&M’s defense against Miami’s big-play offense—something’s gotta give.
No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama
Oklahoma (10-2) draws Alabama (10-3). The Sooners have had their issues on offense but have been relentless on defense, especially against the run.
Alabama, the first three-loss team to ever make the playoff, just barely snuck in after a rough loss to Georgia. Their slow, methodical style is going to get tested against Oklahoma’s aggressive defense.
Quarterfinal and Semifinal Locations
The quarterfinals and semifinals are set for the iconic New Year’s Six bowl venues. Each top-four seed has a bowl assigned for their potential matchup:
- Indiana: Rose Bowl
- Ohio State: Cotton Bowl
- Georgia: Sugar Bowl
- Texas Tech: Orange Bowl
These classic stadiums should make for some unforgettable playoff moments. Who knows how it’ll all shake out, but it’s bound to be a wild ride.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years. There’s an unusual team at the top, and some of these first-round matchups are honestly pretty wild.
Indiana Hoosiers, led by Curt Cignetti, could pull off something historic. Meanwhile, the usual suspects—Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama—are all looking to pad their already impressive legacies.
If you want more details on the playoff matchups or just like keeping up with the latest twists and turns, you can check out the CBS Sports College Football Playoff Bracket Matchups.
