The 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) bracket has been revealed based on the selection committee’s fourth top 25 rankings announced on November 25. While this isn’t the final bracket, which will be officially disclosed on December 7, fans can gain insight into potential matchups as teams make a push for the championship.
In the first round of the playoffs, the matchups feature impressive contenders. No. 12 Tulane is set to face No. 5 Texas Tech, with the winner advancing to challenge No. 4 Georgia in the quarterfinals. No. 9 Notre Dame will take on No. 8 Oklahoma, while the victor will meet No. 1 Ohio State next. No. 11 Miami (Fla.) goes against No. 6 Oregon, with the winning team facing No. 3 Texas A&M. Lastly, No. 10 Alabama is matched up against No. 7 Ole Miss, with the successful team moving on to play No. 2 Indiana.
The rankings show that the four highest-ranked teams receive byes into the quarterfinals. These teams, highlighted in bold, do not enter the first round and are considered favorites based on their consistent performances throughout the season. Notably, the playoff structure allows for the five highest-ranked conference champions to automatically qualify, regardless of their overall ranking.
The latest CFP top 25 features some of the strongest teams in college football, including Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Georgia, among others. Each of these teams has demonstrated their capabilities to perform at a high level this season, setting the stage for a thrilling playoff season.
Quarterfinals will take place on December 31 and January 1 at prestigious sites including the Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Sugar Bowl. The top four seeds will be allocated based on their performance and historical bowl relationships. The four winners will meet in the semifinals at either the Fiesta Bowl or the Peach Bowl on January 8 and 9, leading to the national championship game on January 19 in Miami.
As the season progresses, excitement builds for fans and teams alike, with the potential for surprising outcomes and passionate rivals taking the field in pursuit of college football’s biggest prize.