With the conclusion of the regular season and conference championships in the books, the focus of college football now shifts to an action-packed bowl season. The 2024-2025 campaign marks a new era, ushering in the 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) inaugural season. This expansion has created more fan excitement and anticipation, with high-stakes matchups from the first round through the National Championship Game.
The 12-Team Playoff Era: A New Chapter
The College Football Playoff format includes 12 teams for the first time, offering a wider array of programs a shot at the national title. The traditional “New Year’s Six” bowls, long a postseason staple, are now integrated into the playoff structure. First-round games will be held on the campuses of higher-seeded teams, while the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championships will take place at neutral sites.
Top Four Seeds:
- No. 1 Oregon (13-0): The Pac-12 champion is the top seed after an undefeated season.
- No. 2 Georgia (11-2): The Bulldogs secured their spot with a dominant win in the SEC Championship Game.
- No. 3 Boise State (12-1): The Mountain West champion proudly represents the Group of Five.
- No. 4 Arizona State (11-2): The Sun Devils capped off their season with a Big 12 title victory.
These teams earned first-round byes, highlighting the value of conference championships in the new system.
First-Round Matchups and Key Storylines
The first round kicks off with a slate of compelling matchups:
- No. 12 Clemson (10-3) at No. 5 Texas (11-2): The Tigers clawed their way into the playoff as ACC champions but face a Texas team brimming with talent and eager to make a deep run.
- No. 9 Tennessee (10-2) at No. 8 Ohio State (10-2): Two powerhouse programs clash in Columbus, with the Buckeyes looking to assert dominance at home.
- No. 11 SMU (10-2) at No. 6 Penn State (11-2): SMU’s high-powered offense meets the Nittany Lions’ stout defense in Happy Valley.
- No. 10 Indiana (11-1) at No. 7 Notre Dame (11-1): A battle of two disciplined squads, with the Irish aiming to capitalize on their home-field advantage.
Quarterfinal and Semifinal Matchups
The quarterfinals will take place on January 1, 2025, at the traditional New Year’s Six locations, and the semifinals follow the next week:
- Quarterfinals:
- Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. Tennessee/Ohio State winner
- Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs. Indiana/Notre Dame winner
- Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. SMU/Penn State winner
- Peach Bowl: Arizona State vs. Clemson/Texas winner
- Semifinals:
- Orange Bowl: Winner of Georgia-Boise State bracket
- Cotton Bowl: Winner of Oregon-Arizona State bracket
The CFP culminates in the National Championship Game on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Full 2024-2025 Bowl Schedule
Below is the complete slate of bowl games, showcasing thrilling matchups and broadcast information. All times are Eastern.
College Football Playoff Games
| Date | Bowl | Location | Time (TV) | Matchup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 20 | National Championship | Atlanta | 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) | Semifinal winners |
| Jan. 10 | Cotton (Semifinal) | Arlington, Tex. | 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) | TBD vs. TBD |
| Jan. 9 | Orange (Semifinal) | Miami Gardens, Fla. | 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) | TBD vs. TBD |
| Jan. 1 | Sugar (Quarterfinal) | New Orleans | 8:45 p.m. (ESPN) | Georgia vs. Indiana/Notre Dame |
| Jan. 1 | Rose (Quarterfinal) | Pasadena, Calif. | 5:00 p.m. (ESPN) | Oregon vs. Tennessee/Ohio State |
| Jan. 1 | Peach (Quarterfinal) | Atlanta | 1:00 p.m. (ESPN) | Arizona State vs. Clemson/Texas |
| Dec. 31 | Fiesta (Quarterfinal) | Glendale, Ariz. | 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) | Boise State vs. SMU/Penn State |
| Dec. 20-21 | First Round | Various | Various | Various |
Notable Non-CFP Bowls
| Date | Bowl | Location | Time (TV) | Matchup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 31 | Sun Bowl | El Paso, Tex. | 2:00 p.m. (CBS) | Louisville vs. Washington |
| Dec. 31 | Citrus Bowl | Orlando, Fla. | 3:00 p.m. (ABC) | South Carolina vs. Illinois |
| Dec. 30 | Music City Bowl | Nashville, Tenn. | 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) | Missouri vs. Iowa |
| Dec. 28 | Alamo Bowl | San Antonio, Tex. | 7:30 p.m. (ABC) | BYU vs. Colorado |
| Dec. 27 | Liberty Bowl | Memphis, Tenn. | 7:00 p.m. (ESPN) | Texas Tech vs. Arkansas |
| Dec. 24 | Hawai’i Bowl | Honolulu, Hawaii | 8:00 p.m. (ESPN) | South Florida vs. San Jose State |
What to Watch For
- Underdog Runs: Can lower-seeded teams like SMU and Indiana pull off upsets and make a Cinderella run in the CFP?
- Legacy Programs: Programs like Georgia, Texas, and Notre Dame aim to solidify their place in the new era of college football.
- Exciting Matchups: Traditional bowl games still provide intriguing pairings, such as Alabama vs. Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl and Baylor vs. LSU in the Texas Bowl.
With the most expansive postseason format in college football history, this year promises to be unforgettable. Stay tuned for game results, player performances, and season-defining moments.
