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The College Football Playoff (CFP) ushers in a new era this season, marking the first year of the expanded 12-team format. As the CFP celebrates its 11th year, the long-awaited expansion promises a thrilling playoff experience with more teams, more games, and greater stakes. The 2024-25 bracket, officially revealed on Sunday, Dec. 8, lays out an action-packed postseason that culminates in the National Championship Game on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
This evolution in the playoff system comes after a decade of four-team brackets that saw dynasties like Alabama, Georgia, and Clemson dominate the college football landscape. With the expansion, additional programs now have the opportunity to contend for a national title, offering fresh matchups and more drama on college football's biggest stage. "The 12-team format opens doors for deserving teams and builds the kind of energy fans have been asking for,"CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock said, according to ESPN.
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What does the CFP stand for in college football?
CFP stands for College Football Playoff, a single-elimination tournament in which the best regular season teams face off for a ticket to the national championship game. This new format began in 2014 and recently went through a major transformation.
College Football Playoffs Format 2024-25
The 12-team playoff structure significantly changes the competitive landscape of college football. Programs outside the traditional powerhouse schools now have a legitimate pathway to the championship. "We've seen great teams left out in the past,"ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit commented. "This format ensures those deserving of a shot get their chance on the field."
College Football Playoff Rules
The four highest-ranked teams that automatically qualified receive a bye to the second round of the competition, whilst seeds five through to 12 take on each other in order to book their place in the next stage.
After the first round concludes, the remaining teams enter the quarterfinals. Whoever wins there then heads through to the semi-finals, and then the National Championship game.
If a game is tied after four quarters, it heads into overtime, where each team gets one possession from the opponent's 25-yard line. The team with the most points after the first overtime wins.
Who are the 12 teams in the College Football Playoff 2024-25?
- Oregon Ducks
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Boise State Broncos
- Arizona State Sun Devils
- Texas Longhorns
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Tennessee Volunteers
- Indiana Hoosiers
- SMU Mustangs
- Clemson Tigers
What bowls are in the College Football Playoff?
The College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinal and semifinal rounds are played in the New Year's Six bowl games: Peach Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Cotton Bowl.
The College Football Playoff 2024-25 schedule and Bracket
The first round: Mark your calendars
The first round kicks off on Friday, Dec. 20, and Saturday, Dec. 21, featuring four games hosted on campus sites:
- Friday, Dec. 20: No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame | 8 p.m. ET | ABC/ESPN
- Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State | 12 p.m. ET | TNT/MAX
- Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas | 4 p.m. ET | TNT/MAX
- Saturday, Dec. 21:No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State | 8 p.m. ET | ABC/ESPN
Quarterfinals and the New Year's Six
The quarterfinals, spread across Dec. 31 and Jan. 2, elevate the excitement with New Year's Six bowl games doubling as playoff matchups:
- Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Boise State vs. No. 6 Penn State | 7:30 p.m. ET | Tuesday, Dec. 31 | ESPN
- Peach Bowl: No. 4 Arizona State vs. No. 5 Texas | 1 p.m. ET | Wednesday, Jan. 1 | ESPN
- Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 8 Ohio State | 5 p.m. ET | Wednesday, Jan. 1 | ESPN
- Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame | 8:45 p.m. ET | Tuesday, Jan. 2 | ESPN
Semifinals and the Road to Atlanta
Winners from the quarterfinals advance to the semifinal stage:
- Orange Bowl: No. 7 Notre Dame vs No. 3 Penn State | 7:30 p.m. ET | Thursday, Jan. 9 | ESPN
- Cotton Bowl: No. 8 Ohio State vs No. 4 Texas | 4:00 p.m. ET | Friday, Jan. 10 | ESPN
CFP National Championship
The grand finale of the 2024-25 season will take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta:
- National Championship Game: No 8. Ohio State vs No. 7 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. ET | Monday, Jan. 20 | ESPN
College Football Playoff Odds 2024/25
Texas, entering as the No. 5 seed, is widely considered a top contender.
College Football Playoff History
Among them, Alabama leads the way with eight playoff appearances.
College Football Playoff winners list
From the early days of shared titles to the definitive championships of the modern era, college football's storied history is filled with legendary teams, unforgettable moments, and powerhouse programs that dominated the sport. You can check the full list out on the click above.
College Football Playoff Prize Money 2024-25
The two teams that reach the National Championship Game collect around $20 million each.