The 2025-2026 College Football Playoffs are Here
Justin Loretz
Sports Editor
Earlier today, the bracket for the second installment of the modern college football postseason layout (12 teams) was unveiled at last, capping off another dramatic regular season and conference-championship weekend. The expanded playoff format features a mix of power-conference heavyweights, sleeper underdogs, and a handful of historic firsts.
For fans, it means another full month of high-stakes games all leading up to the national championship on January 19, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
What’s to Come
This format grants automatic entries to the five highest-ranked conference champions, plus the next seven best teams overall. Seeds five through twelve face off in the first round, while the top four seeds receive automatic byes into the quarterfinals.
With the bracket now official, the first-round games are set for December 19–20, the quarterfinals to span New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, and the semifinals occurring early January.
The Seeds & Key Matchups to Watch
At the top of the bracket:
• Indiana Hoosiers claimed the No. 1 seed after a dramatic upset over Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten title game — a 13-10 thriller decided by a missed field goal in the final minutes.
• Ohio State takes the second seed, followed by the Georgia Bulldogs at number three and the Texas Tech Red Raiders rounding out the teams earning first-round byes.
First-round action brings some intriguing contests:
• The Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 9) will travel to face the Oklahoma Sooners (No. 8), renewing one of college football’s classic rivalries.
• The Miami Hurricanes (No. 10) visits the Texas A&M Aggies (No. 7) to fight in a matchup that most fans were not expecting when the season began.
Also joining the field will be the James Madison Dukes and the Tulane Green Wave, both marking historic seasons and significant achievements for their programs.
Storylines Building Into the Postseason
1. Indiana’s Sudden Dynasty
Indiana’s climb to the No. 1 seed is among the biggest surprises of the season. Their Big Ten title win over Ohio State was not just about bragging rights — it completely reshaped the playoff landscape for everybody. They will now face a first-round winner on the hallowed grounds of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, serving as another year with a compelling storyline for a program led by Curt Cignetti that is hungry to assert national relevancy and longevity.
2. Alabama’s Perennial Threat, Despite the Upset
Even with a loss in the SEC Championship Game, Alabama still earned a playoff berth, suggesting that the strength and weight of their reputation and schedule endures. Their rematch with Oklahoma promises high intensity, padded with history and rivalry.
3. What is Next for Miami, Tulane, and James Madison?
Perhaps the most intriguing element of the revamped College Football Playoff bracket: the chance for non-traditional powers to crash the party. Miami returns to playoff relevance, while the aforementioned Tulane and James Madison represent the ever-growing competitiveness of the Group of Five and “mid-major” conferences. If they play smart, they could turn heads.
4. Bracket Chaos & The Thin Margin for Error
With first-round games on campus sites and a single-elimination format, underdog wins and shocking upsets are more unpredictable than ever. The expanded format does not just reward success; it punishes inconsistency. A single off day can derail championship hopes for even the best performers in the regular season.
Which Games are When
• First Round: Dec. 19–20 — Four games at campus sites will set the tone. Expect tension, big atmospheres, and wild swings.
• Quarterfinals: Dec. 31 & Jan. 1 sees the Cotton, Orange, Rose, and Sugar Bowls take place — major venues, major stakes.
• Semifinals: Jan. 8 and Jan. 9 are the Fiesta and Peach Bowls.
• National Championship: Jan. 19, 2026 — Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens.
The release of the 2025–2026 bracket has turned possibility into reality. With powerhouses battling for supremacy, mid-majors clamoring for respect, and storied programs fighting for redemption, this playoff promises drama, heartbreak, and unforgettable moments.
Contact Justin @ loretzju@shu.edu