On Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, the College Football Playoff selection committee revealed the final 12-team bracket for the 2025–26 season. The format stays consistent: the five highest-ranked conference champions receive automatic bids, while the next seven best-ranked teams (regardless of conference) fill out the field.
The top four teams earned first-round byes and will skip directly to the quarterfinals. The remaining eight will pair off in first-round games Dec. 19–20, hosted on respective campuses.
Quarterfinal byes
No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers, No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs, No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders
First-round games
No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide; No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies vs. No. 10 Miami Hurricanes; No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels vs. No. 11 Tulane Green Wave; No. 5 Oregon Ducks vs. No. 12 James Madison Dukes
Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana punched in as the No. 1 overall seed thanks to a perfect regular season and a championship-game win over Ohio State in the Big Ten title game. Their undefeated run made a bold statement: the Hoosiers aren’t just a surprise — they’re the real deal, ready to challenge traditional powers for the national title.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State returns to the playoff after another strong season. With a 12-1 record and a résumé filled with solid wins, the Buckeyes earned the No. 2 seed and a bye week. Their consistency and talent kept them among the elite.
Georgia Bulldogs
The Bulldogs, perennial contenders, snagged the No. 3 seed thanks in large part to winning the SEC title game and finishing 12-1. As one of the highest-ranked conference champions, they were awarded a first-round bye.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech rounds out the bye teams with an 11-1 record and a top-four ranking. Their explosive offense and quality wins pushed them into a privileged position straight to the quarterfinals.
Oregon Ducks
Oregon grabbed the No. 5 seed and will host a first-round game. The Ducks’ 11-1 season and ranking among the top conference champions earned them a spot, though without a bye they’ll need to rally from the jump.
Ole Miss Rebels
The Rebels make history this year as they notch their first-ever CFP berth. At 11-1, Ole Miss benefited from both strong season play and the automatic bid for being among the top-ranked conference champs. They’ll host a first-round game against Tulane.
Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M (11-1) slips in as a first-round host, earning the No. 7 seed. Their consistent success in a competitive conference kept them on the committee’s radar, avoiding the uncertainty of “beauty contest” selections.
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma earned the No. 8 seed and will host No. 9 Alabama. An accomplished season despite a couple of setbacks earned them a place in the field, representing a classic Power Five program that delivered when it mattered.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama returned to the CFP as one of the final two at-large picks, grabbing the No. 9 seed even after losing the SEC title game. Their marquee wins and long-standing pedigree carried weight with the committee despite a late-season loss.
Miami Hurricanes
Miami landed the No. 10 seed and the final at-large slot. Their résumé, including key wins and a strong conference record, edged out several high-profile contenders who fell short. Their inclusion was controversial but underlines the committee’s balancing of recent performance, strength of schedule and head-to-head metrics.
Tulane Green Wave
Among the most surprising stories of 2025: Tulane, from a Group of Five conference, earned the No. 11 seed with an 11-2 record and by winning the American Athletic Conference title game. Their inclusion, along with another non-Power team, highlights the CFP’s commitment to rewarding conference champions, not just traditional giants.
James Madison Dukes
The most remarkable Cinderella story belongs to James Madison. In just their fourth year at the FBS level, the Dukes claimed the Sun Belt Conference title and finished 12-1, earning the No. 12 seed. Their berth marks one of the fastest rises to CFP relevance in recent history.
This year’s playoff bracket blends established powerhouses with scrappy underdogs. Traditional titans like Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama and Oklahoma continue to show why they’re perennial contenders. But the inclusion of two Group of Five champions — Tulane and James Madison — along with first-time arrivals like Ole Miss demonstrates how much the landscape of college football has broadened.
It’s also a reminder that while history and brand name still carry clout, the committee appears willing to reward season-long performance and conference success. That mix creates unpredictability but also hope: Programs that once seemed permanently on the outside looking in now have real chances.
Finally, the bracket sets up high drama: first-round matchups, hard-fought conference rivalries renewed, and depending on how the games go, the potential for underdog upsets or dynasties resuming their reign.
In 2025, the College Football Playoff is more inclusive, more varied and more compelling than ever.