Unveiling the 2025-26 College Football Playoff: Bracket, Schedule, Scores, and Rankings
Get ready for an exhilarating season as we unveil the 2025-26 College Football Playoff! The action kicks off with the quarterfinals on Thursday, January 1st, 2026, setting the stage for an unforgettable tournament.
Quarterfinals (December 31 - January 1, 2026):
- Wednesday, December 31: No. 10 Miami (Fla.) stunned No. 2 Ohio State with a score of 24-14.
- Thursday, January 1: No. 5 Oregon dominated No. 4 Texas Tech, 23-0. No. 1 Indiana secured a victory over No. 9 Alabama, 38-3. In a thrilling match, No. 6 Ole Miss emerged victorious against No. 3 Georgia, 39-34.
Semifinals (January 8-9, 2026):
- Thursday, January 8: No. 6 Ole Miss faces off against No. 10 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl at Glendale, AZ, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN and WatchESPN.
- Friday, January 9: The battle continues with No. 1 Indiana taking on No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, also at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN and WatchESPN.
National Championship Game (January 19, 2026):
- Monday, January 19: The champions will be crowned at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN and WatchESPN.
Bracket and Rankings:
The bracket is crafted using the final top 25 rankings from Sunday, December 7th, 2025. However, be aware that the top 25 ranking doesn't always align with the playoff seeds. The five highest-ranked conference champions secure automatic bids, regardless of their ranking position.
First Round (December 19-20, 2025):
- Friday, December 19: No. 9 Alabama defeated No. 8 Oklahoma, 34-24.
- Saturday, December 20: No. 10 Miami (Fla.) narrowly beat No. 7 Texas A&M, 10-3. No. 6 Ole Miss showcased their prowess with a 41-10 victory over No. 11 Tulane. No. 5 Oregon dominated No. 12 James Madison, 51-34.
CFP Top 25 Rankings:
1. Indiana: 13-0
2. Ohio State: 12-1
3. Georgia: 12-1
4. Texas Tech: 12-1
5. Oregon: 11-1
6. Ole Miss: 11-1
7. Texas A&M: 11-1
8. Oklahoma: 10-2
9. Alabama: 10-3
10. Miami (Fla.): 10-2
11. Notre Dame: 10-2
12. BYU: 11-2
13. Texas: 9-3
14. Vanderbilt: 10-2
15. Utah: 10-2
16. USC: 9-3
17. Arizona: 9-3
18. Michigan: 9-3
19. Virginia: 10-3
20. Tulane: 11-2
21. Houston: 9-3
22. Georgia Tech: 9-3
23. Iowa: 8-4
24. James Madison: 12-1
25. North Texas: 11-2
Seeding and Bowl Assignments:
The four highest-ranked teams, regardless of conference performance, receive first-round byes to the quarterfinals. The five highest-ranked conference champions secure automatic bids. The quarterfinals, scheduled for December 31 and January 1, will be hosted at the Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Sugar Bowl. The top-ranked teams will be assigned to these bowls, considering historical relationships and seeding.
Get ready for an unforgettable College Football Playoff experience! Stay tuned for live updates and be part of the excitement!
