College Football Playoff bracket: timetable, standings, and results
The College Football Playoff (CFP) has revolutionized the postseason landscape for college football since its inception in 2014. As the ultimate stage for the sport, the CFP determines the national champion through a four-team tournament at the end of each season. With millions of fans across the country tuning in to watch the drama unfold, the playoff is a spectacle that often shapes the trajectory of college football history. The 2025 CFP season was particularly thrilling, with exciting matchups, dramatic upsets, and star-studded performances, culminating in a National Championship game that left an indelible mark on the sport.
This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the 2025 College Football Playoff, including the bracket, key results, standings, and the all-important timetable that determined which teams would rise to the occasion and fight for the coveted title. It also reflects on how the current CFP system, while providing excitement and intrigue, continues to spark debate about fairness and potential expansion.
The 2025 College Football Playoff: An Overview
The 2025 College Football Playoff was a highly anticipated event, especially after a regular season full of surprises, heartbreaks, and statement performances. With only four spots available in the playoff bracket, the field was set to be fiercely contested. The top four teams in the final CFP rankings were selected, but not without controversy, as several teams were left on the outside looking in.
CFP Selection Criteria
The CFP selection committee, tasked with determining the four teams that would compete for the national title, evaluated teams based on a number of factors, including:
- Win-loss record: The most straightforward metric, but not the only one considered.
- Strength of schedule: A team’s performance against ranked opponents and quality opponents in their conference or non-conference games.
- Conference championships: Winning a conference title is a key indicator of a team’s strength.
- Head-to-head results: In cases where two teams are highly competitive, their head-to-head performance can play a significant role.
- Other factors: The committee also takes into account overall performance, injuries, and the strength of a team’s defense and offense.
Based on these criteria, the final four teams selected for the 2025 College Football Playoff were:
- Ohio State (Big Ten Champion)
- Georgia (SEC Champion)
- Michigan (At-Large Bid)
- Florida State (At-Large Bid)
These teams were among the most dominant in the country throughout the regular season and represented the elite of college football. Let’s now look at the detailed standings and the results that led to the final decision.
Final CFP Standings (Top 25)
- Ohio State (13-0) – Big Ten Champion
- Georgia (12-1) – SEC Champion
- Michigan (12-1) – At-Large Bid
- Florida State (12-1) – At-Large Bid
- Texas (11-2)
- Washington (11-2)
- Oregon (11-2)
- Alabama (10-2)
- Penn State (10-2)
- Missouri (10-2)
- Tulane (12-1) – AAC Champion
- Ole Miss (10-3)
- Clemson (9-3)
- Louisville (9-3)
- North Carolina (10-3)
- Kansas State (9-4)
- Notre Dame (9-3)
- Utah (9-4)
- LSU (8-4)
- Iowa (9-4)
- TCU (8-5)
- Arizona (9-4)
- Wisconsin (8-4)
- Florida (8-5)
- Baylor (8-5)
The top four teams—Ohio State, Georgia, Michigan, and Florida State—earned their spots based on their performance and overall strength of schedule. However, teams like Texas, Washington, and Oregon were also in the conversation, though they ultimately fell short in their bids for a spot in the playoff.
The College Football Playoff Bracket
The 2025 College Football Playoff featured two semifinal games and the eventual National Championship. The games were set for the following dates and times:
- Peach Bowl (Semifinal 1): Ohio State vs. Florida State
- Fiesta Bowl (Semifinal 2): Georgia vs. Michigan
Peach Bowl: Ohio State vs. Florida State
The Peach Bowl served as the first semifinal game of the College Football Playoff. Ohio State, led by Ryan Day, entered as the No. 1 team in the nation, having completed an undefeated regular season in the Big Ten. Florida State, meanwhile, earned an at-large bid after a strong 12-1 season in the ACC, with their lone loss coming in a close game against a top-ranked opponent.
The game started with high anticipation. Ohio State’s offense, led by quarterback Kyle McCord and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., looked to exploit Florida State’s defense. McCord, in particular, had been sensational throughout the season, and his connection with Harrison was a key factor for the Buckeyes. The game quickly became a back-and-forth affair, as Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis and the Seminoles’ potent offense fought to stay in the game.
In the second half, Ohio State’s defense, led by Jack Sawyer, took over. The defensive line dominated the Seminoles’ offensive line, stifling their run game and pressuring Travis into mistakes. Ohio State’s offense took advantage, and McCord threw two key touchdown passes, leading the Buckeyes to a 38-24 victory and securing their place in the National Championship.
Fiesta Bowl: Georgia vs. Michigan
The second semifinal was a battle of heavyweights, with Georgia, the defending national champions, squaring off against Michigan, who had earned an at-large spot in the playoff after an impressive 12-1 season. Georgia was heavily favored coming into the game, boasting one of the most talented rosters in the country, including quarterback Carson Beck and a stout defense.
However, Michigan, under head coach Jim Harbaugh, had proven to be a tough team all season, and they came into the game with a chip on their shoulder. The Wolverines’ offense, led by quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Blake Corum, had been efficient and physical throughout the season, and they were determined to show they belonged on the biggest stage.
The game proved to be a tense, physical battle. Georgia jumped out to an early lead, but Michigan responded with a balanced attack, exploiting weaknesses in Georgia’s secondary. McCarthy’s poise in the pocket and Corum’s ability to break tackles kept the Wolverines in the game. Late in the fourth quarter, Michigan mounted a game-winning drive that ended with McCarthy hitting wide receiver Roman Wilson for a dramatic touchdown. The Wolverines pulled off the upset, defeating Georgia 31-28 to advance to the National Championship.
National Championship: Ohio State vs. Michigan
The 2025 National Championship featured an all-Big Ten showdown between Ohio State and Michigan, a matchup that had been brewing for years. The rivalry between these two programs is legendary, and the stakes had never been higher. Ohio State had triumphed in the first semifinal, and Michigan had shocked the defending champions, Georgia, in the second semifinal.
The National Championship game was a fitting end to a historic season. Both teams came out with intensity, as Ohio State’s high-powered offense faced off against Michigan’s tough defense. The Buckeyes quickly took control with a strong opening drive, scoring on a touchdown pass from McCord to Harrison. Michigan responded with a methodical drive, using Corum’s power running and McCarthy’s quick decisions to set up a field goal.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading blows and showing why they had earned their spots in the final. Michigan’s defense was able to contain McCord for most of the first half, but Ohio State’s defense, led by Sawyer, kept McCarthy and Corum in check.
In the second half, Ohio State’s depth and explosiveness proved too much for Michigan. McCord connected with Harrison for another touchdown, while the Buckeyes’ defense forced several key turnovers. In the end, Ohio State triumphed 42-31, securing their third National Championship in the playoff era and further solidifying Ryan Day’s legacy as one of college football’s top coaches.
The Road Ahead: Reflections and Future Outlook
As the 2025 College Football Playoff came to a close, the conversation shifted toward the future of the system. While the playoff provided unforgettable moments, it also highlighted the need for potential changes, such as an expansion of the field to include more teams and a more equitable system for determining which teams belong in the playoff. Teams like Texas, Oregon, and Washington were close to earning playoff spots and showed that college football is only getting more competitive.
Ohio State’s championship victory, combined with Michigan’s run to the final, showcased the power of the Big Ten and the importance of rivalries in shaping the landscape of college football. As the sport continues to evolve, fans can expect more thrilling CFP seasons, with the battle for the National Championship only intensifying in the years to come.
