College Football Playoff bracket: timetable, standings, and results
The College Football Playoff (CFP) has become the pinnacle of college football, representing the most significant event in the sport each season. Since its inception in 2014, the CFP has shaped the postseason landscape, offering an exciting and competitive format that determines the national champion of college football. The current setup, featuring four teams vying for the title, has garnered its fair share of fans, debates, and excitement. With the expansion to 12 teams set for 2024, the current four-team format remains relevant for one final season.
In this article, we will explore the CFP bracket in detail, including the timetable, standings, and results for the 2025 season. As we analyze the teams that made it to the playoff, the path they took to get there, and the results as they unfolded, we’ll also delve into the excitement surrounding the race for the national championship.
The College Football Playoff Structure
Before diving into the current bracket, it’s essential to understand the College Football Playoff system and how it works. The College Football Playoff was established to give college football a more structured and definitive postseason format. Each season, the top four teams are selected by a 13-member selection committee. These teams are then matched up in two semifinal games, with the winners advancing to the national championship game.
The four teams are selected based on a variety of factors, including:
- Conference Championships: Winning a Power Five conference is often a strong indicator of playoff eligibility.
- Strength of Schedule: The selection committee heavily weighs the difficulty of each team’s schedule.
- Team Performance: Teams are evaluated based on their performance in both regular season and conference championship games.
- Head-to-Head Results: When two teams are closely matched, head-to-head results can play a crucial role in the selection process.
- Overall Record and Reputation: In the final rankings, both the overall record and the reputation of the team play a role in the selection committee’s decision-making process.
Following the selection of the top four teams, the playoff games are set up as follows:
- Semifinal Games: The top two teams face off in one semifinal game, while the third and fourth-ranked teams meet in the other. These games are rotated each year between two major bowl games—the Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Cotton Bowl.
- National Championship Game: The winners of the two semifinal matchups meet in the national championship game, which is held at a neutral site and is the ultimate contest for the national title.
The current CFP format has been the subject of much debate, especially with the expansion to 12 teams set for 2024. Nevertheless, the four-team bracket has proven to be thrilling, with every season bringing its own surprises, drama, and unforgettable moments.
The 2025 College Football Playoff: The Final Four
As the 2025 college football season neared its conclusion, the race to the playoff was as competitive as ever. With the regular season complete and conference championships decided, the four teams that emerged from the chaos were:
- Georgia Bulldogs (12-1)
- Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1)
- Michigan Wolverines (12-1)
- Alabama Crimson Tide (11-2)
Georgia Bulldogs (12-1)
The Georgia Bulldogs entered the 2025 College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed after securing an impressive 12-1 record and dominating the SEC. Georgia’s only loss came early in the season in a close contest against Alabama, but the Bulldogs bounced back to win the SEC Championship with an emphatic victory over Missouri. Georgia’s defense, spearheaded by the ferocious pass rush and an athletic secondary, was among the best in the country. Offensively, quarterback Carson Beck and running back Kendall Milton formed a dynamic tandem that helped propel Georgia to another successful season. The Bulldogs’ ability to dominate both sides of the ball, combined with their depth and experience, made them the top choice in the rankings.
Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1)
The Ohio State Buckeyes secured the No. 2 seed in the 2025 College Football Playoff following a 12-1 regular-season campaign. Ohio State’s only loss came in a dramatic game against Michigan, but they rebounded by winning the Big Ten Championship in a thrilling overtime victory over Iowa. Head coach Ryan Day’s offense was explosive, led by quarterback Ty Simpson, who transferred from Alabama in the offseason. The Buckeyes’ receiving corps, including Marvin Harrison Jr., Julian Fleming, and Emeka Egbuka, was widely regarded as the best in the country. Ohio State’s defense, though not as dominant as Georgia’s, featured a strong front seven and a talented secondary, allowing them to remain a national title contender throughout the season.
Michigan Wolverines (12-1)
The Michigan Wolverines finished the season ranked No. 3 after a dominant run in the Big Ten, finishing 12-1. Michigan’s only loss came at the hands of their bitter rival, Ohio State, but the Wolverines were still able to secure a playoff berth by winning the Big Ten Championship over Wisconsin. Michigan’s offense was anchored by quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who led a balanced attack that relied on both the running game and passing game. Running back Blake Corum was a key component, making Michigan one of the more difficult teams to defend. Michigan’s defense was also one of the most impressive in the nation, particularly against the run, which helped them win crucial games in the regular season.
Alabama Crimson Tide (11-2)
Despite having two losses on the season, Alabama managed to secure the No. 4 seed in the College Football Playoff. The Crimson Tide’s two losses came to Georgia and LSU, but they were still able to showcase their dominance with several key victories, including a dramatic win over Ole Miss in the SEC Championship Game. Quarterback Jalen Milroe showed significant improvement throughout the season, leading an offense that relied on the dynamic running back tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and Jase McClellan. Alabama’s defense, while not as overpowering as in years past, remained strong with standout players like linebacker Dallas Turner and defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry. Alabama’s playoff berth was earned through a combination of strong wins and high-level play, despite their two losses.
Timetable of the College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff follows a structured timetable that leads up to the national championship game. The key dates for the 2025 season are as follows:
- Selection Day: The selection committee reveals the official CFP bracket and rankings, including the four playoff teams, on the Sunday following the conference championship games. This year, the announcement was made on December 7, 2025.
- Semifinal Games: The two semifinal games are played on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025, with the two higher-seeded teams playing in one bowl game and the lower-seeded teams meeting in another.
- Rose Bowl: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Alabama
- Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Michigan
- National Championship Game: The winners of the semifinal games will meet on January 12, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for the national championship.
Results of the Semifinal Games
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 4 Alabama
In one of the most anticipated semifinal matchups in recent memory, Georgia and Alabama met in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Despite Alabama’s strong performance in the SEC Championship Game and their impressive defense, Georgia’s dominant offensive and defensive units proved too much for the Crimson Tide. Carson Beck threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns, while Kendall Milton added 120 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Alabama’s Jalen Milroe played valiantly, but the Bulldogs’ defense stifled the Tide in the second half, forcing two critical turnovers. The final score was Georgia 34, Alabama 20, sending the Bulldogs to the national championship game.
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Michigan
In a thrilling rematch of the Big Ten Championship Game, Ohio State faced off against Michigan in the Sugar Bowl. This game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging touchdowns and big plays throughout. Ohio State’s Ty Simpson threw for 350 yards and four touchdowns, while Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy answered with a stellar performance of his own, passing for 320 yards and three touchdowns. The game was decided in the final minutes when Ohio State’s defense made a crucial stop on a Michigan fourth down, allowing the Buckeyes to drive down the field and secure a 38-34 victory. Ohio State advanced to the national championship game to face Georgia.
National Championship Game: Georgia vs. Ohio State
The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game promises to be an exciting showdown between the top two teams in the nation: Georgia and Ohio State. With both teams possessing elite offenses and defenses, it is expected to be a tightly contested battle for the national title. The game will be played on January 12, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Fans of both programs will be eager to see who will emerge as the champions of college football for the 2025 season.
