College Football Playoff: Updated 2025 CFP Bracket, matchups, times, TV

For the second straight year, the 12-team College Football Playoff got underway at campus sites. First-round games took place Dec. 19-20 before the quarterfinals on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with the semifinals to follow and the national championship Jan. 19.

This year’s bracket was loaded with teams across the country, led by No. 1 Indiana (13-0) after beating Ohio State for the Big Ten Championship. The Buckeyes came in as the No. 2 seed in the field while No. 3 seed Georgia and No. 4 seed Texas Tech rounded out the 12-team bracket.

But let’s dive into the entire College Football Playoff bracket, starting with the first round games. Those games were on campuses before the bracket moved to bowl sites in the quarterfinal round.

College Football Playoff First Round

No. 9 Alabama 34, No. 8 Oklahoma 24
The Crimson Tide overcame a 17-0 deficit in the first half to get their first playoff win of the Kalen DeBoer era. Freshman WR Lotzeir Brooks reeled in five catches for 79 yards and two scores.

No. 10 Miami 10, No. 7 Texas A&M 3
It was a defensive slugfest in College Station, but Malachi Toney had the lone touchdown for the Hurricanes late in the fourth quarter. Despite four missed field goals, the Hurricanes prevailed and Bryce Fitzgerald grabbed the game-winning interception in the end zone with mere seconds left.

No. 6 Ole Miss 41, No. 11 Tulane 10
Ole Miss raced out to an early two-touchdown lead, then for a minute it looked like Tulane might make it a competitive contest. But the Green Wave couldn’t come up with key plays when needed and it eventually turned into a blowout. An injury to Kewan Lacy is worth monitoring going forward.

No. 5 Oregon 51, No. 12 James Madison 34
Oregon scored a touchdown on its first five drives, with five different players finding the end zone — a first in CFP history. James Madison fought hard to make it respectable, but the game was never truly contested after the first quarter.

College Football Playoff Quarterfinals

No. 10 Miami 24, No. 2 Ohio State 14 (Cotton Bowl)
Miami took total control against Ohio State in the first half with a 14-0 lead at halftime. Although the Buckeyes didn’t go away quietly, the Hurricanes stayed the course and got the upset victory in the Cotton Bowl. As a result, The U advanced to the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl.

No. 5 Oregon 23, No. 4 Texas Tech 0 (Orange Bowl)
Oregon’s defense was suffocating in the Ducks’ 23-0 win over Texas Tech. The Red Raiders could never find a rhythm and ultimately finished the game with just 206 yards of total offense. Oregon squeezed four turnovers out of Texas Tech, while committing just one itself. Now, Oregon is one step closer to competing for a national title.

No. 1 Indiana 38, No. 9 Alabama 3 (Rose Bowl)
Indiana never trailed as the Hoosiers blew out Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl. Heisman Trophy-winning QB Fernando Mendoza was nearly perfect throwing 14-16 for 192 yards and three touchdowns. The Hoosiers also finished the matchup with 215 yards compared to 193 for Alabama in general. Indiana will now match up vs. Oregon in the national semifinal.

No. 6 Ole Miss 39, No. 3 Georgia 34 (Sugar Bowl)
Lucas Carneiro nailed field goals from 55 yards, 56 yards and finally the game-winner from 47 yards out to push the Rebels past Georgia 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl (Ole Miss scored a safety on the ensuing kickoff). Trinidad Chambliss threw from 320 yards and two touchdowns while Kewan Lacy added 99 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground. Ole Miss advances to the Fiesta Bowl to take on Miami.

College Football Playoff Semifinals

No. 10 Miami vs. No. 6 Ole Miss (Fiesta Bowl)
Date: Jan. 8, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN

No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 1 Indiana (Peach Bowl)
Date: Jan. 9, 2026
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN

College Football Playoff National Championship

TBD vs. TBD
Date: Jan. 19
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN