Playoff football has arrived.
The 12‑Team Showdown
The second edition of the 12‑team College Football Playoff is set to begin Friday, with a full slate of first‑round games slated for this weekend.
Byes for the Top Four
Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia and Texas Tech earned first‑round byes, leaving eight teams to vie for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Powerhouses and Underdogs
The opening slate features traditional powerhouses such as Alabama, Oregon and Miami, alongside underdog stories like Tulane and James Madison.
Friday’s Kickoff
The 2025‑26 CFP kicks off Friday, Dec. 19, with No. 8 Oklahoma hosting No. 9 Alabama in the first game of the first round at 8 p.m. ET.
Saturday’s Matchups
On Saturday, Dec. 20, the remaining three games are scheduled:
- No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M at 12 p.m. ET
- No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss at 3:30 p.m. ET
- No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where to Watch on TV
Two networks will air the CFP first‑round games:
- ABC/ESPN will broadcast Alabama‑Oklahoma and Miami‑Texas A&M
- TNT/truTV will air Tulane‑Ole Miss and James Madison‑Oregon
Streaming Options
All four games are also available to stream:
- Alabama‑Oklahoma and Miami‑Texas A&M can be watched on ESPN
- Tulane‑Ole Miss and James Madison‑Oregon stream via HBO Max
The Bracket Explained
Unlike the NFL, college football does not reseed in the playoffs. Each of the top four seeds knows the quarterfinal opponent that will come from the first‑round winners.
Quarterfinal Matchups
The next round will feature:
- No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 8 Oklahoma/No. 9 Alabama (Rose Bowl)
- No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Texas A&M/No. 10 Miami (Cotton Bowl)
- No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss/No. 11 Tulane (Sugar Bowl)
- No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon/No. 12 James Madison (Orange Bowl)
Bowl Stakes
Each quarterfinal game is tied to a major bowl: the Rose, Cotton, Sugar and Orange Bowls, adding historic significance to the playoff path.
First‑Round Byes Matter
Teams with first‑round byes gain a rest advantage and a guaranteed spot in the quarterfinals, while the remaining eight teams must win to advance.
Upset Potential
While the schedule favors established programs, the inclusion of teams like Tulane and James Madison keeps the possibility of upsets alive.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025‑26 CFP starts Dec. 19 with Alabama vs. Oklahoma.
- Four games air on ABC/ESPN and TNT/truTV; stream on ESPN or HBO Max.
- The bracket is set: Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, Texas Tech await first‑round winners.
Final Thoughts
The 12‑team playoff brings a blend of powerhouse matchups and surprising underdogs, all converging on a weekend of high‑stakes football that culminates in historic bowl games. Fans can catch every moment on broadcast and streaming platforms, ensuring no game is missed as the nation watches the path to the national championship unfold.
