College Football Playoff Bracket Announced: Teams and TV Schedule
The 2025 College Football Playoff bracket is out, and fans are buzzing already. Matchups are set, and the chase for this year’s national champion is officially on.
This playoff lineup? It’s loaded. Powerhouse teams, a schedule packed with can’t-miss games—2025 is shaping up to be wild.
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2025 College Football Playoff Teams
The selection committee has picked the top four teams for this year’s playoff. Each of these squads has shown grit, skill, and plenty of resilience all season long.
Top Seed: University of Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide, with Nick Saban at the helm, grabbed the top seed after another stellar run. Their offense is relentless, and that defense? Still scary.
They finished undefeated and took the SEC Championship, so nobody’s really surprised to see them here.
Second Seed: Ohio State University
Ohio State, led by Ryan Day, landed the second seed after a strong campaign. The Buckeyes’ offense has been electric, and their defense isn’t exactly a pushover either.
Winning the Big Ten Championship sealed the deal for their playoff spot.
Third Seed: University of Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs, coached by Kirby Smart, come in at number three. Their balanced attack and tough defense have kept them in the mix all year.
They had some close calls, but Georgia’s steady play got them into the playoff. They’re looking dangerous.
Fourth Seed: University of Oregon
Rounding out the top four: Oregon Ducks, with Dan Lanning calling the shots. Oregon’s offense can light up the scoreboard, and their defense always seems to make a play when it counts.
Winning the Pac-12 Championship was the final push they needed.
TV Schedule and Viewing Information
The College Football Playoff games will air on major networks, so you won’t have to hunt for a stream. Here’s the lineup for the big games:
- Rose Bowl (Semi-Final): University of Alabama vs. University of Oregon – January 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET on ESPN
- Sugar Bowl (Semi-Final): Ohio State University vs. University of Georgia – January 1, 2026, at 8:30 PM ET on ESPN
- National Championship Game: Semi-Final Winners – January 12, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN
You can catch the games live on the ESPN app, too. Worth double-checking your local listings for extra coverage or pre-game hype.
Key Players to Watch
With the playoffs looming, a handful of standout players are about to take center stage. Who’s going to step up when it matters most?
University of Alabama
Quarterback: Bryce Young – The Heisman winner has been electric all year, slinging passes and leading the Tide with confidence.
Wide Receiver: Jameson Williams – Pure speed and big-play ability. Williams has been Young’s favorite deep threat.
Ohio State University
Quarterback: C.J. Stroud – Stroud’s been the engine behind Ohio State’s offense, making tough throws look easy.
Wide Receiver: Jaxon Smith-Njigba – His routes are sharp, and his hands are reliable. He just finds ways to get open.
University of Georgia
Defensive Lineman: Jalen Carter – Carter’s a disruptive force up front, blowing up plays before they start.
Running Back: Kendall Milton – Milton runs hard and doesn’t go down easy. He’s been the heartbeat of Georgia’s ground game.
University of Oregon
Quarterback: Ty Thompson – Thompson can hurt teams with his arm or his legs. He’s unpredictable, in a good way.
Linebacker: Noah Sewell – Sewell flies around the field, making tackles and setting the tone for Oregon’s defense.
What to Expect in the Semi-Finals
These semi-final games are going to be wild. The top teams are set to clash, and honestly, it’s tough to pick a clear favorite in either matchup.
Rose Bowl: University of Alabama vs. University of Oregon
Alabama’s offense is stacked, but Oregon’s defense has a knack for making big plays. Bryce Young will have to stay sharp against the Ducks’ aggressive approach.
On the flip side, Ty Thompson faces a tough Alabama defense. This one could turn into a shootout with highlight plays all over the place.
Sugar Bowl: Ohio State University vs. University of Georgia
Ohio State’s offense is explosive, but Georgia’s defense is about as tough as they come. C.J. Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will try to find cracks in the Bulldogs’ coverage.
Meanwhile, Jalen Carter and the Georgia front will look to disrupt everything. This game might be won in the trenches—who’s got the edge up front?
Looking Ahead to the National Championship
The winners of the semi-final matchups will move on to the National Championship game. Stakes? Higher than ever, no doubt about it.
That big game’s set for January 12, 2026. It’s gearing up to be a wild showdown between two of college football’s best—honestly, you can feel the tension building already.
Fans should brace themselves for a gritty, hard-fought battle. Expect these teams to leave absolutely everything out there in their pursuit of the national title.
Looking forward to the 2025 College Football Playoff, it’s already shaping up to be something special for everyone involved—players, coaches, fans. Can’t help but feel a little excited just thinking about it.
If you want to keep up with the full playoff bracket and TV schedule, you can check out the official announcement on Deadline here.
