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

After a thrilling Week 11 slate of college football games, the rankings saw a major shift. The College Football Playoff committee revealed the second official CFP rankings Tuesday night, and the projected 12-team CFP bracket is in place.

The top of the bracket didn’t change much after the top four seeds all won their respective games. But major changes took place farther down, particularly after multiple important results in the ACC and Group of 6. As a result, two new teams appear in the bracket.

Of course, there’s still plenty left to figure out as the 2025 season goes along. Here is the updated 12-team College Football Playoff bracket after the second CFP rankings reveal. (Projected conference champions noted with an asterisk.)

First-round byes

No. 1 – Ohio State*

Fresh off another resounding victory in Week 11, Ohio State held strong as the No. 1 team in the College Football Rankings. The Buckeyes stayed undefeated as they cruised past Purdue.

Jeremiah Smith had a career day, setting a new career-high with 10 receptions as he totaled 137 yards and a touchdown. Julian Sayin also had a strong showing with 303 yards and the touchdown pass to Smith to lead the charge.

No. 2 – Indiana

It wasn’t easy for Indiana against Penn State last week, but Fernando Mendoza led the Hoosiers to a comeback victory at Beaver Stadium. The highlight, of course, was Omar Cooper’s game-winning touchdown in one of the best catches of the year.

With the win, IU stayed undefeated with a 10-0 record heading into Week 12. The Hoosiers will now get ready for their final two games of the season, starting with Wisconsin on Saturday.

No. 3 – Texas A&M*

Texas A&M entered Week 12 as the last remaining unbeaten SEC team and held onto that title with its performance against Missouri. Marcel Reed had a big day at quarterback while Rueben Owens led a high-powered run game en route to the victory.

The Aggies bring plenty of momentum into their penultimate conference game this week against South Carolina. As the No. 3 team in the rankings, they also have a bye in the projected 12-team College Football Playoff bracket.

No. 4 – Alabama

Out of the final bye week, Alabama picked up its eight straight win. The Crimson Tide took down LSU, 20-9, at Bryant-Denny Stadium to stay hot through the SEC portion of the schedule.

Alabama also maintained its spot at No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings with the performance. The Crimson Tide have a crucial game awaiting on Saturday, though, against an Oklahoma team that is looking to avoid a dreaded third loss.

First-round matchups (campus sites)

No. 12 USF* vs. No. 5 Georgia

The Group of 6 race got especially interesting after Memphis’ loss in Week 11. Now, USF is the highest-ranked American Conference team, making the Bulls the No. 12 seed in the projected 12-team College Football Playoff bracket.

Despite a hostile environment in Starkville, Georgia handled Mississippi State with ease in a blowout win. That helped UGA stay put at No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings, remaining a host team in the projected 12-team bracket.

No. 11 Miami* vs. No. 6 Texas Tech*

The chaos in the ACC proved beneficial for Miami, which cruised past Syracuse in Week 11. In Tuesday’s rankings, the Hurricanes came in as the highest-ranked ACC team, meaning they appear in the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket as the projected conference champion.

Following last week’s College Football Playoff rankings, Texas Tech’s game against BYU became even more important. The Red Raiders didn’t leave any room for doubt, though, as they got the dominant victory over the Cougars to stay in the driver’s seat in the Big 12 and are the projected conference champion.

No. 10 Texas vs. No. 7 Ole Miss

The bye week was good to Texas. BYU’s loss dropped the Cougars to No. 12 in the College Football Playoff rankings and opened the door for the Longhorns to move up and into the 12-team bracket as the last team in heading into Week 12.

After taking a break from conference play, Ole Miss maintained a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket. The Rebels are now 9-1 heading into a matchup with Florida that’s sure to have plenty of storylines.

No. 9 Notre Dame vs. No. 8 Oregon

In the rivalry game against Navy, Notre Dame dominated once again as CJ Carr and Jeremiyah Love led the charge. The Fighting Irish have now won seven in a row, but this week’s matchup against Pitt is another pivotal matchup for their College Football Playoff hopes.

Facing tough conditions, Oregon was on upset alert against Iowa, especially after the Hawkeyes got a late touchdown. But Dante Moore led the game-winning drive, keeping the Ducks in the midst of the College Football Playoff race.

First four out

Oklahoma
BYU
Utah
Vanderbilt

Next four out

Georgia Tech
USC
Michigan
Virginia