2025-26 College Football Playoff Bracket Released: Updated Schedule, Matchups, and Free Printables

2025-26 College Football Playoff

The 2025-26 College Football Playoff bracket was finalized on Selection Sunday (December 7). Indiana earned the No. 1 seed after winning the Big Ten Championship. Ohio State (No. 2), Georgia (No. 3), and Texas Tech (No. 4) received first-round byes. James Madison and Tulane are the two Group of Five representatives. Notre Dame (10-2) declined a bowl invitation, allowing Miami to take the final at-large spot.

Below is the complete 12-team bracket, first-round matchups, full playoff schedule, and updated printable resources.

2025-26 College Football Playoff Field

The 2025-26 college football playoff field and schedule are now set. 

SeedTeamConferenceRecordNotes
1IndianaBig Ten12-1Big Ten Champion
2Ohio StateBig Ten11-2At-large
3GeorgiaSEC11-2SEC Champion
4Texas TechBig 1211-2Big 12 Champion
5OregonBig Ten10-3At-large
6Ole MissSEC10-3At-large
7Texas A&MSEC9-4At-large
8OklahomaSEC9-4At-large
9AlabamaSEC8-5At-large (3 losses)
10MiamiACC10-3At-large (replaces ND)
11TulaneAAC11-2AAC Champion (G5)
12James MadisonSun Belt12-1Sun Belt Champion (G5)

First Round – December 19-20 (Campus Sites)

GameDate & Time (ET)LocationNetwork
No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 OregonFri, Dec 19 – 7:30 p.m.Autzen Stadium, Eugene, ORTNT/truTV
No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 OklahomaFri, Dec 19 – 8:00 p.m.Gaylord Family Stadium, Norman, OKABC / ESPN
No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole MissSat, Dec 20 – 3:30 p.m.Vaught-Hemingway, Oxford, MSTNT/truTV
No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&MSat, Dec 20 – 12:00 p.m.Kyle Field, College Station, TXABC / ESPN

Quarterfinals – December 31 & January 1

BowlDate & Time (ET)LocationMatchupNetwork
Cotton BowlWed, Dec 31 – 7:30 p.m.AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TXWinner Miami/TAMU vs. No. 2 Ohio StateESPN
Rose BowlThu, Jan 1 – 5:00 p.m.Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CAWinner Bama/OU vs. No. 1 IndianaESPN
Sugar BowlThu, Jan 1 – 8:45 p.m.Caesars Superdome, New OrleansWinner Tulane/Ole Miss vs. No. 3 GeorgiaESPN
Orange BowlThu, Jan 1 – 7:45 p.m.Hard Rock Stadium, MiamiWinner JMU/Oregon vs. No. 4 Texas TechESPN

Semifinals & National Championship

  • Vrbo Fiesta Bowl (Semifinal) – Thursday, January 8, 7:30 p.m. ET – State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ – ESPN
  • Capital One Peach Bowl (Semifinal) – Friday, January 9, 7:30 p.m. ET – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA – ESPN
  • CFP National Championship – Monday, January 19, 7:30 p.m. ET – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL – ESPN

Free Printables (Updated December 8)

Schedules are subject to final TV adjustments.

author avatar
Will Lewis Editor, Author
Will Lewis has covered sports for over 18 years, specializing in bracketology, tournament predictions, and in-depth analysis across college hoops, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and more. March Madness is his favorite season, fueling his quest for perfect brackets before diving into pro playoffs. A lifelong Kentucky Wildcats fan, Bengals supporter since the Joe Montana era, and now a Padres devotee, Will delivers reliable, fan-first insights at Sports Brackets. Connect on X or comment. He loves talking brackets and more.

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