2025 College Football Playoff Bracket Unveiled: Georgia, Alabama Secure Spots in Historic 12-Team Field

The 2025 College Football Playoff bracket is finally set. The selection committee revealed the 12-team field Sunday on ESPN. Top seeds Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech earned first-round byes.

This marks the second year of the expanded playoff format. The final rankings sparked intense debate after a chaotic conference championship weekend.

Selection Sunday Delivers Drama and Surprises

The committee faced difficult choices. According to ESPN’s broadcast, seven at-large bids were awarded. The SEC led all conferences with four total teams in the field.

Notre Dame was the biggest team left out. The Fighting Irish were ranked 11th, just one spot shy of the cut. Miami claimed the final at-large bid instead.

Alabama’s loss in the SEC title game did not eliminate them. The Crimson Tide secured the No. 9 seed. This demonstrates the committee’s value on strength of schedule.

Group of Five Breakthrough and Broader Impacts

The new format created historic access. Tulane and James Madison earned automatic bids as conference champions. This gives smaller programs a verified path to the national title.

The bracket heavily favors the SEC and Big Ten. These two power conferences landed eight of the twelve spots. This consolidation of power will likely influence future realignment discussions.

Fans can expect high-stakes football starting December 19. The first-round games will be played on campus sites. The national championship is scheduled for January 19 in Miami.

The 2025 College Football Playoff bracket sets the stage for a historic postseason. The expanded field has already created new opportunities and fierce controversy.

Dropping this nugget your way

Q1: Which teams got first-round byes in the playoff?

The top four seeds received byes. This includes No. 1 Indiana, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Georgia, and No. 4 Texas Tech. They will wait to play the winners of the first-round games.

Q2: Why was Notre Dame left out of the bracket?

Notre Dame finished 11th in the final rankings. Only the top 12 teams make the field. Miami’s head-to-head win over the Irish likely gave the Hurricanes the final spot.

Q3: How many SEC teams made the playoff?

Four SEC teams are in the 12-team field. Georgia, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Alabama all made it. The SEC has the most representatives of any conference.

Q4: When do the playoff games start?

The first-round games begin on Friday, December 19. The quarterfinals are set for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The national championship is on Monday, January 19.

Q5: Did any Group of Five teams make it?

Yes, two teams earned automatic bids. Tulane (American Athletic) and James Madison (Sun Belt) won their conferences. Their inclusion is a major win for the expanded format.