We’re one step closer to a national champion being crowned.
The first round of the 2025 College Football Playoff resulted in two upsets, based on seeding, as Miami toppled Texas A&M, while Alabama took care of business against Oklahoma. The two Group of Five squads were quickly eliminated from the bracket, leaving three Big Ten teams, three SEC teams, one ACC team and one Big 12 team still vying for the title.
The quarterfinals begin on New Year’s Eve, where the top-four seeds’ path to the championship begins. Indiana (vs. Alabama) and Ohio State (vs. Miami) both get tough opponents to open the playoff, while Texas Tech will host Oregon and Georgia hosts Ole Miss.
The Sporting News had a full breakdown of the updated CFP bracket, including the playoff schedule and how to watch the games.
MORE: Picks, predictions for CFP quarterfinal games
College Football Playoff bracket
Here’s a look at the full bracket for the 2025 College Football Playoff:
First round
- Game 1: No. 5 Oregon def. No. 12 James Madison, 51-34
- Game 2: No. 6 Ole Miss def. No. 11 Tulane, 41-10
- Game 3: No. 10 Miami def. No. 7 Texas A&M, 10-3
- Game 4: No. 9 Alabama def. No. 8 Oklahoma, 34-24
Quarterfinals
- Game 5: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 9 Alabama
- Game 6: No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Miami
- Game 7: No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss
- Game 8: No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon
Semifinals
- Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 8 winner
- Game 10: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner
National Championship
- Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner
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How was the CFP bracket determined?
The College Football Playoff bracket came together from the CFP Committee’s design, as usual. However, there were a few rule tweaks in 2025, the second year of the 12-team playoff.
This year, the bracket was comprised of the five highest-ranked conference champions, with the remaining seven teams being the best of the rest as at-large bids. The top four teams received first-round byes.
Similar to 2024, teams are not reseeded in later rounds, so each team’s path to the championship is already determined.
MORE: Ranking the eight remaining CFP teams
College Football Playoff schedule
Quarterfinals
| Date | Bowl Game | Matchup | Location | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
| Wed., Dec. 31 | Cotton Bowl | No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Miami | Arlington, Texas | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
| Thu., Jan. 1 | Orange Bowl | No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon | Miami | 12 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
| Thu., Jan. 1 | Rose Bowl | No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 9 Alabama | Pasadena, California | 4 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
| Thu., Jan. 1 | Sugar Bowl | No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss | New Orleans | 8 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
Semifinals
| Date | Bowl Game | Matchup | Location | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
| Thu., Jan. 8 | Fiesta Bowl | TBD | Glendale, Arizona | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
| Fri., Jan. 9 | Peach Bowl | TBD | Atlanta | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
National Championship
| Date | Bowl Game | Matchup | Location | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
| Mon., Jan. 19 | CFP National Championship | TBD | Miami | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
MORE: SN’s latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft
TV Channels, live streams for the College Football Playoff
With the first round over, the remainder of the 2025 College Football Playoff games will air on ESPN and be streamed on the ESPN App and Fubo.
Fubo carries ESPN in its channel lineup and is currently offering a free trial.
SN’s PLAYOFF HQ: Live CFP scores | Updated CFP bracket | Full CFP schedule
When does the College Football Playoff end?
- Start date: Friday, December 19
- End date: Monday, January 19
The 2025 CFP began with first-round matchups on Dec. 19, and it will last one month in total.
There is a 10-day break between the second semifinal game and the national championship, which is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
