College Football Playoff: First Official 2025 Projected 12-Team CFP Bracket

Tuesday night, the first official College Football Playoff rankings released. That means it’s time to project the 12-team CFP bracket.

Unlike in 2024, this year’s College Football Playoff will see a straight seeding model. While the five highest-ranked conference champions have spots in the field, the four highest-ranked teams will receive a bye. That’s a change from last season.

The CFP rankings will update every Tuesday through November, and the final reveal will take place Dec. 7 after conference championship weekend. Here is what the first projected College Football Playoff bracket looks like.

First-round byes

No. 1 – Ohio State*

The top team in college football this year, according to the College Football Playoff selection committee, Ohio State would earn a first-round bye based on the first CFP rankings. The Buckeyes have been dominant all year as they look to chart a path back to the Big Ten Championship.

Quarterback Julian Sayin is leading the charge, catapulting to the forefront of the Heisman Trophy conversation. But the offense also has top playmakers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate at receiver, as well as one of the top defenses in the country, as the Buckeyes look to repeat as champions.

No. 2 – Indiana

In Year 2 under Curt Cignetti, Indiana has been nothing short of dominant. The Hoosiers are a perfect 9-0, with a notable win at Oregon on their resume.

IU has a Heisman Trophy hopeful at quarterback, as well, in Cal transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza. But the defense is stealing the show, ranking third in the nation with 10.8 points allowed per game.

No. 3 – Texas A&M*

The last remaining undefeated SEC team, Texas A&M is firing on all cylinders in Year 2 under Mike Elko. The Aggies are searching for their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.

At quarterback, Marcel Reed is emerging as a top playmaker in the country, averaging 290 total yards per game. As a group, Texas A&M is running one of the nation’s best offenses with 37.8 points on average.

No. 4 – Alabama

Following a season-opening loss to Florida State, Alabama has been red-hot. The Crimson Tide have won seven straight games to vault themselves into the top four seeds in the initial College Football Playoff bracket.

Ty Simpson has settled in well at quarterback as he runs Ryan Grubb and is leading the charge. He has thrown for 2,184 yards and 20 touchdowns, to just one interception, through eight games this year.

First-round matchups (campus sites)

No. 12 Memphis* vs. No. 5 Georgia

The Group of 6 representative in the first projected College Football Playoff bracket, Memphis is in the midst of an impressive season in the American Conference. The Tigers are 8-1, with only a loss at UAB on their resume. Despite not appearing in the Top 25 rankings, Memphis is the projected No. 12 seed in the bracket, per the selection committee

At 7-1, it’s been another impressive run so far for Georgia in 2025 to stay in strong position for a College Football Playoff berth. The Bulldogs are coming off a rivalry win over Florida, and their lone blemish is a loss at Alabama earlier in the year.

No. 11 Virginia* vs. No. 6 Ole Miss

Representing the ACC in the projected 12-team College Football Playoff bracket, Virginia sits alone atop the conference standings after Week 10. The Cavaliers have put together an impressive run through 2025 as they look to secure the ACC title and reach the CFP for the first time.

Heading into Week 11, Ole Miss looks to have a path for its first College Football Playoff berth. The Rebels got a crucial win over Oklahoma two weeks ago, which helped put them in strong position ahead of the first CFP rankings reveal.

No. 10 Notre Dame vs. No. 7 BYU*

Since losing back-to-back games to start the year, Notre Dame has rattled off seven straight wins, including last week’s victory at Boston College. The Fighting Irish have four games left to enhance their resume as they continue their quest to stay in the College Football Playoff picture.

The last undefeated team remaining in Big 12 play, BYU has put together a strong 2025 season with its sights set on a conference title game bid. A huge matchup awaits on Saturday, though, as the Cougars head to Lubbock to take on Texas Tech in what could be a Big 12 Championship preview.

No. 9 Oregon vs. No. 8 Texas Tech

Outside of a home loss to Indiana, Oregon has put together a strong 2025 season with a slew of new faces. Led by quarterback Dante Moore, the Ducks come out of the bye this week with a test at Kinnick Stadium against Iowa and its stout defense.

Since suffering its first loss three weeks ago at Arizona State, Texas Tech got back to its dominant ways with two straight blowout wins. The Red Raiders are looking to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff, and this week’s matchup against BYU will be crucial in building that resume.

First four out

Texas
Oklahoma
Utah
Louisville

Next four out

Vanderbilt
Georgia Tech
Miami
USC