Read on foxsports.com2025 College Football Playoff Preview: Bracket Projections, Key Dates, and the Road to the National Championship
The 2025 College Football Playoff race is entering its final stretch with the fifth CFP rankings providing a clear picture of the 12-team field. This article previews the projected bracket matchups, outlines the selection process and key dates, and highlights the top contenders as the road to the national championship intensifies ahead of Selection Sunday on December 7.
The 2025 college football season is reaching its thrilling climax, with the fifth release of the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings providing the sharpest look yet at the postseason landscape. As reported by FOX Sports, the 12-team playoff format is in its second year, and the battle for positioning is heating up with Selection Sunday just days away. This preview breaks down the projected bracket, explains the selection process, and outlines the key dates every fan needs to know as the road to the national championship unfolds.
Projected 2025 College Football Playoff Bracket
Based on the fifth CFP rankings released on December 2, 2025, the projected 12-team field offers a fascinating set of potential matchups. The top four teams—Ohio State, Indiana, Georgia, and Texas Tech—receive first-round byes and advance directly to the quarterfinals.
First Round Projected Matchups
The first-round games, set to be played on campus sites, would feature the following contests according to the latest projections:
- No. 12 Tulane vs. No. 5 Oregon
- No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 8 Oklahoma
- No. 11 Virginia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss
- No. 10 Notre Dame vs. No. 7 Texas A&M
The winners would advance to face the top four seeds in the quarterfinals, setting the stage for a dramatic playoff run.
Understanding the 12-Team Playoff Format
The expanded playoff format, now in its second season, represents a significant shift from the previous four-team model used from 2014-2024. A 13-member selection committee is responsible for choosing the field.
Selection Criteria and Automatic Bids
The 12-team field is constructed with a mix of automatic qualifiers and at-large bids. Five spots are reserved for the highest-ranked conference champions, providing a path for teams from various leagues. The remaining seven spots are awarded to the next highest-ranked teams overall, regardless of conference affiliation. This structure aims to balance rewarding conference success with including the best teams in the country.
Key Dates and How to Watch
The final act of the selection process and the playoff games themselves are governed by a critical calendar.
Selection Sunday and Broadcast Information
The final CFP rankings and the official 12-team bracket will be unveiled on Sunday, December 7, 2025, known as Selection Day. The committee will also announce game locations and sites at that time. Fans can watch the entire College Football Playoff across the ESPN family of networks, including ABC and TNT, ensuring broad accessibility for the national audience.
The Road to the Championship
With the top 25 rankings solidified and the bracket taking shape, the focus turns to the final weekend of conference championship games and the committee's ultimate decisions. The projected field features traditional powerhouses like Ohio State, Georgia, and Alabama alongside strong contenders from the Big Ten, SEC, and beyond. The expanded playoff has successfully intensified the late-season race, with more teams than ever remaining in contention for a national title as the regular season concludes. All eyes now turn to Selection Sunday, when the official path to the championship will be set.
