Indiana Leads College Football Playoff 2025 Projections Over Alabama

The excitement of the college football season is hitting its peak right now. Fans and analysts are glued to the latest College Football Playoff (CFP) bracket projections and odds for 2025.

With teams fighting tooth and nail for a playoff spot, the pressure is intense. If you want to dig deeper, check out the original article on the New York Times.

Current Playoff Projections

This 2025 season has been wild—packed with upsets nobody saw coming and some truly electrifying wins. As the regular season wraps up, we’re finally getting a clearer picture of the CFP bracket.

Right now, the four teams most likely to make it are:

  • Alabama Crimson Tide
  • Ohio State Buckeyes
  • Georgia Bulldogs
  • Oklahoma Sooners

All four have put on a show, mixing explosive offense with tough defense. Still, with the rankings not set in stone, there’s always a chance for last-minute surprises.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama has done it again—they’re a force in college football. They haven’t lost a game, and their offense just keeps pouring on the points.

Quarterback Bryce Young and wide receiver Jameson Williams have been game-changers. Right now, Alabama’s the favorite to win it all, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with those odds.

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Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes have racked up some big wins this season. Their offense, led by C.J. Stroud, is firing on all cylinders.

Ohio State’s defense has held strong when it matters. They’re in a solid spot for the playoff and are definitely a threat to go all the way.

Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia’s defense has been lights out, shutting down pretty much everyone. Linebacker Nakobe Dean is everywhere on the field.

On offense, JT Daniels keeps things steady. Georgia’s record speaks for itself—they’re right in the thick of the playoff hunt.

Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma’s season has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but they keep finding ways to win. Spencer Rattler leads a high-powered offense that’s just fun to watch.

They’ve had a few close calls, but those key victories have kept them in the mix. Their playoff chances look good if they can stay hot.

Key Matchups to Watch

A bunch of games coming up will really decide how the final CFP rankings shake out. These are the ones you don’t want to miss:

  • SEC Championship Game: Alabama vs. Georgia
  • Big Ten Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin
  • Big 12 Championship Game: Oklahoma vs. Texas
  • Pac-12 Championship Game: Oregon vs. Utah

Winning one of these means more than just a conference title—it’s a ticket to the playoff, plain and simple.

SEC Championship: Alabama vs. Georgia

Honestly, this is the game everyone’s talking about. Alabama and Georgia have run their divisions, and now they’re set to clash.

Alabama’s offense will have to outsmart Georgia’s lockdown defense. Should be a classic.

Big Ten Championship: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin

For Ohio State, it all comes down to Wisconsin. The Buckeyes’ offense will have to break through a tough Wisconsin defense.

If Ohio State wins, they’re probably in. But if Wisconsin pulls an upset, things could get messy in the rankings.

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Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma vs. Texas

The Red River Rivalry is always wild, and now it’s for the Big 12 title. Oklahoma needs this win to stay alive in the playoff race.

Texas would love nothing more than to play spoiler and take home the conference crown.

Pac-12 Championship: Oregon vs. Utah

Oregon and Utah are set for a huge Pac-12 showdown. The Pac-12 hasn’t gotten much playoff love lately, but a big win here could shake things up.

Oregon, especially, has a slim shot at sneaking into the CFP if they impress.

Potential Dark Horses

The top four get all the attention, but there are a few teams lurking just outside. Cincinnati, Notre Dame, and Michigan have all put together strong years.

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If the right games break their way, one of them could crash the playoff party. It wouldn’t be the first time college football threw us a curveball.

Cincinnati Bearcats

Cincinnati’s been the best of the non-Power Five teams, and it’s not even close. They haven’t lost, and they’ve knocked off ranked opponents along the way.

Their defense is stingy—fewest points allowed in the country. That’s something.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame always seems to be in the mix, and this season’s no exception. They’ve played a tough schedule and held their own.

Their offense and defense are both solid. If someone up top slips, don’t count Notre Dame out.

Michigan Wolverines

Michigan’s bounced back in a big way under Jim Harbaugh. Their defense is one of the best, and the offense has finally found some rhythm.

If they can win the Big Ten title, and the chips fall just right, Michigan could sneak into the top four. Stranger things have happened, right?

Conclusion

The 2025 College Football Playoff bracket is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. Powerhouse teams like Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and Oklahoma are leading the charge.

Meanwhile, dark horses such as Cincinnati, Notre Dame, and Michigan are quietly waiting in the wings. The race to the national championship? It’s going to be wild.

Fans should buckle up for high-stakes matchups and a few unforgettable moments along the way. For the latest updates and projections, check out the full article on the New York Times.

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