The 2025 College Football Playoff Race Heats Up
The fifth CFP rankings of 2025 have arrived, providing the clearest picture yet of how the 12-team playoff race is shaping up. With Selection Sunday just five days away, the contenders are making their final statements, and the battle for postseason positioning is more intense than ever. This year marks the second season of the expanded 12-team format, which has added a layer of complexity and excitement to the college football landscape. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 College Football Playoff Bracket, including the current rankings, projected matchups, and key dates.
Projected 2025 College Football Playoff Bracket
The playoff bracket is taking shape, with several high-profile matchups anticipated in the early rounds. In Round 1, No. 12 Tulane (or the fifth-highest ranked projected conference champion) will face No. 5 Oregon, while No. 9 Alabama takes on No. 8 Oklahoma. No. 11 Virginia (or the fourth-highest ranked projected conference champion) will clash with No. 6 Ole Miss, and No. 10 Notre Dame will meet No. 7 Texas A&M. The quarterfinals promise even more excitement, with No. 4 Texas Tech facing the winner of Oregon/Tulane, No. 1 Ohio State taking on the winner of Oklahoma/Alabama, No. 3 Georgia meeting the winner of Ole Miss/Virginia, and No. 2 Indiana facing the winner of Texas A&M/Notre Dame.
Current Top 25 Following the Latest CFP Rankings
The latest CFP rankings reveal a tightly contested top 25, with several teams vying for playoff spots. Here’s the full list:
25. James Madison
24. North Texas
23. Iowa
22. Georgia Tech
21. Houston
20. Tulane
19. Michigan
18. Arizona
17. Virginia
16. USC
15. Utah
14. Vanderbilt
13. Texas
12. Miami (Fla.)
11. BYU
10. Notre Dame
9. Alabama
8. Oklahoma
7. Texas A&M
6. Ole Miss
5. Oregon
4. Texas Tech
3. Georgia
2. Indiana
- Ohio State
The 12-Team CFP Format Explained
This year, for the second time, 12 teams will be selected for the College Football Playoff by a 13-member committee. The expanded format has replaced the previous four-team structure that was in place from 2014 to 2024. The 12-team playoff will feature five automatic bids for the highest-ranked conference champions. The remaining seven spots will be filled by the next highest-ranked teams overall. The top four teams will advance directly to the quarterfinals, ensuring that the best teams have a clear path to the championship.
Final Rankings and Selection Day
The final selection committee rankings for the 2025 season will be released on Sunday, December 7, also known as Selection Day. On this day, the committee will not only announce the 12-team playoff bracket but also reveal game locations and sites. This critical announcement will set the stage for the exciting postseason action that fans have been eagerly anticipating. Teams and fans alike will be on the edge of their seats as the final rankings are revealed, with every position crucial in determining playoff matchups.
How to Watch the College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff will air on ESPN, ABC, and TNT, ensuring that fans have multiple options to catch all the action. Whether you prefer a traditional network or a cable channel, you won’t have to miss a moment of the intense playoff games. For those who want to stay informed and receive personalized updates, creating or logging into a FOX Sports account is a great way to follow leagues, teams, and players. By following your favorites, you can receive a daily personalized newsletter with the latest news and highlights.
As the 2025 College Football Playoff approaches, the excitement is building, and fans are eagerly awaiting the final rankings and bracket announcements. With a 12-team format, this year promises to be one of the most thrilling and competitive postseasons in college football history.
