by: Nick Schultz 7 hours ago NickSchultz_7
The College Football Playoff field is set. Sunday marked the final Top 25 release, and the official 2025 12-team CFP bracket is in place.
Conference championship weekend gave teams a chance to punch their tickets to the field, with the five highest-ranked conference champions earning a spot and 11 at-large teams rounding things out. There was plenty of intrigue, though, after 8-5 Duke won the ACC and an SEC Championship game that created questions for the final teams in the field.
Now, the stage is set for the 2025 College Football Playoff. Here is the official 12-team CFP bracket. First-round games begin Dec. 19-20, and the top four seeds will receive byes. Conference champions are noted with asterisks.
First-round byes
1. Indiana*
After winning its first outright Big Ten Championship since 1945, Indiana took over the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. The Hoosiers squared off in a heavyweight fight with Ohio State and came away with the 13-10 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium.
That game featured the No. 1-ranked vs. No. 2-ranked teams in the country. As a result, Indiana will be the top overall seed in the 12-team CFP bracket.
2. Ohio State
Falling in the Big Ten Championship to Indiana in a tightly contested game, Ohio State dropped out of the top spot in the final College Football Playoff bracket. The Buckeyes are in line for a a first-round bye, though, after coming in as the No. 2 seed.
Both defenses were on full display in the Big Ten Championship, but a missed field goal and failed fourth down in the red zone came back to haunt Ohio State. Still, they will sit out the first round of the CFP and begin their run at a bowl game site.
3. Georgia*
Georgia had an opportunity to seal a first-round bye in the SEC Championship, and the Bulldogs didn’t leave any room for doubt against Alabama. UGA dominated from the start and stopped the Crimson Tide running game en route to the 28-7 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
As a result, Georgia clinched a top-four seed once again. The Bulldogs’ lone blemish on their resume was a home loss to Alabama, but they take a 12-1 record into the College Football Playoff.
4. Texas Tech*
The Big 12 Championship marked a rematch of a regular-season matchup between Texas Tech and BYU. The Cougars scored first, but the Red Raiders took over from there in another dominant performance.
As a result, Texas Tech secured a top-four seed in the College Football Playoff and will get a first-round bye. It’s been quite a year for the Red Raiders as they brought home their first Big 12 title.
First-round games (on campus sites)
12. James Madison* at 5. Oregon
