The new chapter in the history of college football marks the beginning of an exciting 2024-25 NCAA college football playoff. This playoff will consist of a single-elimination tournament to decide the national champions of the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It is the 11th edition of the College Football Playoff (CFP), which involves 12 teams ranked by the College Football Playoff poll. The 2024–25 playoff will feature a 12-team bracket, expanding from the four teams seen in previous iterations of the College Football Playoff. During this season, the five highest-ranked conference champions, including one representative from the Group of Five, will compete against the following seven highest-ranked teams. The four top-ranked conference champions will also receive a first-round bye in the playoff.
The first round of the 2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff, a highly anticipated event, will commence on December 20 and 21. The quarterfinals are set for December 31 and January 1, taking place at the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Sugar Bowl. The top four seeds will face the teams that emerged victorious in their first-round games, adding to the excitement. The victors of these games will progress to the semifinals, taking place at the Cotton Bowl Classic and Orange Bowl on January 9 and 10. Those winners will compete in the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Prepare for a season full of passion, intensity, and remarkable football. The road to the championship starts here, and it will be an unforgettable ride. For more sports updates, you can visit our website.
2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff Rankings and Seeds
| Seed | Team | Record | Ranking |
| 1 | Oregon | 13-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Georgia | 11-2 | 2 |
| 3 | Boise State | 12-1 | 9 |
| 4 | Arizona State | 11-2 | 12 |
| 5 | Texas | 11-2 | 3 |
| 6 | Penn State | 11-2 | 4 |
| 7 | Notre Dame | 11-1 | 5 |
| 8 | Ohio State | 10-2 | 6 |
| 9 | Tennessee | 10-2 | 7 |
| 10 | Indiana | 11-1 | 8 |
| 11 | SMU | 11-2 | 10 |
| 12 | Clemson | 10-3 | 16 |
2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff Schedule
First Round (Non-bowl game)
- Indiana vs. Notre Dame – December 20, 2024
- SMU vs. Penn State – December 21, 2024
- Clemson vs. Texas – December 21, 2024
- Tennessee vs. Ohio State – December 21, 2024
Quarterfinals
- PSU–SMU winner vs. Boise State – December 31, 2024 (Fiesta Bowl)
- TEX–CLEM winner vs. Arizona State – January 1, 2024 (Peach Bowl)
- OSU–TENN winner vs. Oregon – January 1, 2024 (Rose Bowl)
- ND–IU winner vs. Georgia – January 1, 2024 (Sugar Bowl)
Semifinals
- Fiesta Bowl winner vs. Sugar Bowl winner – January 9, 2024 (Orange Bowl)
- Rose Bowl winner vs. Peach Bowl winner – January 10, 2024 (Cotton Bowl Classic)
Championship
Orange Bowl winner vs. Cotton Bowl Classic winner – January 20, 2024 (National Championship)
Where to Watch the 2024–25 NCAA College Football Playoff?
2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff games will be broadcast across ABC, ESPN, and TNT. Cord-cutters can stream the CFP games on Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users, and Sling, providing various options for fans to catch all the action.
How much will each team make in the 2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff?
- Each 12 teams participating in the College Football Playoff receives $4 million.
- Each of the eight teams that advance to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals gets $4 million.
- Each of the four teams competing in the College Football Playoff Semifinals is awarded $6 million.
- The two teams that reach the College Football Playoff National Championship Game receive $6 million.
Prediction
Notre Dame vs. Indiana
On December 20, 2024, Notre Dame will take Indiana in the first round of the College Football Playoff at Notre Dame Stadium in the exhilarating 2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff showdown. Notre Dame’s recent form has been impressive, with an undefeated record in its last ten matches. However, they had a shocking defeat in their victorious path against Northern Illinois, scoring 14-16. In the previous game with USC, the defense struggled, allowing 35 points, while the offense was exceptional, putting up 49 points. Jadarian Price had a fantastic game, tallying 12 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown. Riley Leonard showcased a strong performance, completing 17 of 22 passes for 155 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Additionally, running back Jeremiyah Love is in good health, which is crucial for this match.
On offense, Notre Dame averages 39.8 points; on defense, they give up 13.6 points per game. On the other hand, this season, Indiana has been criticized for the lack of performance, but their last match with Purdue was highly dominant with a 66-0 win. Kurtis Rourke completed 23 of 31 passes, amassing 349 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions. Justice Ellison had 11 carries for 63 yards and scored a touchdown. In their previous game, Indiana struggled against Ohio State, losing 38-15. Indiana averages 43.3 points per game this season, while their defense allows 14.7 points. The offense ranks 2nd, and the defense ranks 6th. Considering the recent performances and the solid defense, Indiana will have a slight edge in winning this game.
Penn State vs. Southern Methodist
In the College Football Playoff, Penn State will meet with Southern Methodist at Beaver Stadium on December 21, 2024. Both teams are heading into this match with a defeat, where Penn State lost to Oregon with a score of 37-45. Despite their slow start in the game, they managed to score ten points, but the early lead of the opponent outscored them in the first quarter by a margin of four points. Further, they didn’t find the rhythm to take over the opponent and ended in defeat, which snapped their four consecutive victories. Drew Allar passed for 226 yards, achieving three touchdowns and throwing one interception.
Kaytron Allen spearheaded the running game with 14 carries for 124 yards, contributing a touchdown as well. At the same time, Southern Methodist suffered a defeat to Clemson by a narrow margin of three points. Despite their strong performance in the fourth quarter, Clemson’s early, well-balanced defense ended the game in defeat. QB Kevin Jennings passed for 304 yards, recorded three touchdowns, and threw one interception. Leading in rushing was Brashard Smith, who had 24 carries totaling 113 yards. Considering Penn State’s home advantage, strong defense, offensive balance, and Southern Methodist challenges, they will have a higher chance to win this game.
Texas vs. Clemson
On December 21, 2024, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Texas will lock horns with Clemson in the College Football Playoff 2024-25 encounter. As the season neared its end, Clemson appeared out of playoff contention. However, they rebounded to win several games, including the ACC Championship against SMU, securing a 34-31 victory. Cade Klubnik excelled, completing 24 of 41 passes for 262 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. He’s thrown for 3,303 yards and 33 touchdowns this season, while Phil Mafah has rushed for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns.
While looking at the recent performance of Texas, the question is raised: are they strong after their loss to Georgia by scoring only 19 points and losing in overtime? This game will be an answer for how they will face Clemson and secure the first playoff game. Quinn Ewers threw for 358 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Previously, Texas beat Texas A&M 17-7. They average 33.6 points per game (offense ranked 26th) and allow 12.5 points (defense ranked 2nd). Ewers has 2,665 yards this season. This battle will be a close game; however, Texas is favored to win.
Ohio State vs. Tennessee
Ohio State will play Tennessee in the first round of the historic College Football Playoff on December 21, 2024, at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State enters this match as the No.8 seed, boasting a strong defense that ranks first in total defense. In terms of offensiveness, they have a balanced attack, averaging 35.5 points per game. Tennessee is the ninth seed, and its offense is led by Dylan Sampson, who has rushed for nearly 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns.
The Volunteers’ offensive line has performed outstandingly, creating openings for Sampson and achieving an average of 232.5 rushing yards each game. On the defensive side, the drunkness stands fourth in the nation, presenting a formidable challenge for Ohio State’s offense. The upcoming clash between Ohio State and Tennessee will be a thrilling contest between two powerful teams. While Ohio State benefits from a robust defense and the advantage of playing at home, Tennessee counters with a dynamic offense and a reliable defense, making them a challenging rival.
