Breaking news: College Football Playoff Bracket 2024-25: Schedule, results and road to the National Championship

As of now, the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the 2024-2025 season is set to be one of the most exciting in college football history. With the expansion of the playoff to 12 teams starting this season, the landscape of college football is about to change dramatically. The new format promises more teams, more excitement, and a greater chance for underdog teams to make a deep run toward the National Championship.

This article will break down the College Football Playoff bracket for the 2024-2025 season, including its schedule, how teams get there, and the potential road to the National Championship for the top teams in college football.

The New 12-Team Format

For the first time in college football history, the College Football Playoff will feature 12 teams instead of the previous four-team format. This new format is designed to allow more teams to have a chance at the National Championship and to make the postseason more inclusive, which many fans and analysts have long advocated for.

The breakdown of the 12 teams will be as follows:

Top Four Conference Champions – The four highest-ranked conference champions will receive an automatic bid to the playoff. This includes teams from the Power Five conferences (the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, and Pac-12) as well as non-Power Five conference champions.
Next Four Highest-Ranked Teams – The next four highest-ranked teams in the country, regardless of conference, will also receive at-large bids to the playoff. This allows teams that have performed exceptionally well but did not win their conference to still earn a spot.
Wildcard Teams – The final four spots will be filled by the highest-ranked remaining teams, who will also be chosen based on the CFP rankings. These spots ensure that the playoff remains competitive and that teams with strong records but perhaps lesser-known conferences still have a chance to compete.

This new setup guarantees that more teams are included, increasing the excitement and competition of the postseason.

How the Road to the National Championship Works

In the 12-team playoff format, the bracket works as follows:

First Round: The first round will consist of four games between the highest-ranked teams. The top four teams will receive a first-round bye, which means they automatically advance to the next stage. The next eight teams will play in the first round, with the higher-ranked team (based on the final CFP rankings) hosting the game.
Quarterfinals: The winners of the first-round matchups will move on to the quarterfinals, where they will face the top four teams, who were given first-round byes. This round will likely feature some of the most exciting matchups, with teams that have earned a top spot in the rankings facing off against teams that fought hard to advance.
Semifinals: The four winners from the quarterfinals will move on to the semifinals. This is where the intensity of the playoff will reach its peak, as teams battle it out for a spot in the National Championship game. These games will be played at neutral sites, with one semifinal game typically being held at a historic bowl game, such as the Rose Bowl, and the other at a Fiesta Bowl or Peach Bowl location.
National Championship: The final two teams will face off for the coveted title of National Champion in what is sure to be a thrilling, high-stakes game. The National Championship game will be held at a neutral site, with locations varying each year. It will be a single-elimination showdown between two of the best teams in the country.

The Schedule for the 2024-2025 College Football Playoff

The exact dates for the 2024-2025 College Football Playoff will be determined as the regular season progresses and teams earn their spots in the playoff bracket. However, the general schedule for the playoff rounds is as follows:

First Round – The first round will likely take place on December 21 or December 22, 2024, just after the conclusion of the regular season and conference championships. The games will be hosted by the higher-ranked teams in the first round.
Quarterfinals – The quarterfinals will take place in early January 2025, with games scheduled around January 1-4. These will feature the winners of the first-round games against the top four teams in the playoff rankings.
Semifinals – The semifinals are scheduled to be played at two separate bowl games: the Rose Bowl and the Sugar Bowl, which will take place on January 6, 2025. The games will be held at neutral sites, and the winners will advance to the final stage of the playoff.
National Championship – The National Championship Game will be played on January 13, 2025, marking the culmination of an exciting month of postseason action. The game will be held at a neutral site stadium, and the winner will be crowned as the national champion of college football for the 2024-2025 season.

Potential Playoff Matchups and Teams to Watch

With the new 12-team playoff format, the door has been opened for a number of exciting matchups. Some of the top teams to watch include:

Georgia Bulldogs: As the defending national champions, Georgia remains a dominant force in college football. With a high-powered offense and an elite defense, they will be one of the favorites to make a deep run in the playoff. Quarterback Carson Beck has been exceptional, and the Bulldogs are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Their quest for a second consecutive national title will be a key storyline of the 2024-2025 playoff.
Michigan Wolverines: Michigan has become one of the most consistent programs in the country under head coach Jim Harbaugh. With a strong, balanced offense led by quarterback J.J. McCarthy and an imposing defense, the Wolverines will be a force in the playoff. Their performance in the Big Ten Championship and regular season will be crucial in determining their seeding in the bracket.
Alabama Crimson Tide: Under coach Nick Saban, Alabama has consistently been a contender for the National Championship. With a talented roster that includes standout players on both sides of the ball, Alabama will be among the favorites to make a playoff run. Quarterback Jalen Milroe is a dynamic dual-threat player who can lead Alabama deep into the postseason.
Ohio State Buckeyes: The Buckeyes are consistently one of the top teams in the country, and their offense, led by quarterback Kyle McCord and playmakers like Marvin Harrison Jr., will make them a tough opponent in the playoff. Ohio State’s path to the playoff will depend on their performance in the Big Ten, particularly their game against Michigan.
Clemson Tigers: Despite facing some challenges in recent seasons, Clemson is a team that cannot be overlooked. Head coach Dabo Swinney has built a powerhouse in the ACC, and with a talented roster, they will look to reclaim their place among the elite teams in college football.
USC Trojans: Led by the explosive play of quarterback Caleb Williams, the Trojans are a threat in the playoff. With one of the best offenses in the country, USC will look to continue its dominance in the Pac-12 and secure a spot in the 12-team bracket.
Florida State Seminoles: Florida State has been steadily building a competitive team under head coach Mike Norvell, and with a balanced offense and strong defense, they will be a team to watch in the ACC and potentially in the playoff.
Texas Longhorns: Texas is back and looking to make a statement in the playoff. With a top-tier quarterback in Quinn Ewers and a stout defense, the Longhorns have the potential to make a run at the national title.