The Shocking College Football Playoff Bracket: Which Top Team Is in Danger of Missing Out?

As the college football season reaches its climax, fans are eagerly anticipating the announcement of the official College Football Playoff (CFP) bracket. On December 2, the CFP selection committee released its fifth top 25 rankings, offering a glimpse into what the playoff landscape might look like for the 2025-26 season.

This latest ranking is significant, although it’s important to note that it is not the final bracket; that will be revealed on Sunday, December 7. What fans can glean from this ranking, however, is the potential matchups and the teams vying for a shot at the national championship.

2025-26 College Football Playoff Bracket Overview

The current rankings reflect the competitive nature of college football this year. Automatic bids are awarded to the five highest-ranked conference champions, which can sometimes differ from their overall ranking in the top 25. This distinct structure encourages teams to not only perform well within their conferences but also to compete vigorously in the broader landscape of college football.

Here’s how the current bracket looks based on the December 2 rankings:

• No. 12 fifth-highest ranked conference champion at No. 5 Oregon
  • Winner will face No. 4 Texas Tech in the quarterfinals.
• No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma
  • Winner will face No. 1 Ohio State in the quarterfinals.
• No. 11 fourth highest-ranked conference champion at No. 6 Ole Miss
  • Winner will face No. 3 Georgia in the quarterfinals.
• No. 10 Notre Dame at No. 7 Texas A&M
  • Winner will face No. 2 Indiana in the quarterfinals.

The top four teams, namely Ohio State, Indiana, Georgia, and Texas Tech, have earned first-round byes into the quarterfinals, showcasing their dominance throughout the season. Their rankings as the highest seeds underscore the committee's strategy of rewarding consistent excellence, irrespective of conference outcomes.

The upcoming matchups will be particularly thrilling due to the blend of traditional powerhouses and emerging teams. For example, Alabama and Oklahoma, both with 10-2 records, face off in what is expected to be an electrifying showdown. The winner will go on to challenge Ohio State, who remains undefeated at 12-0.

Upcoming Schedule and Venue Information

The first round of the playoffs is scheduled for December 19-20, with games taking place on college campuses, giving home-field advantage to the higher seeds. Here’s a look at the key dates:

• First Round (Dec. 19-20) — On Campus
  • Friday, Dec. 19: 8 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN, WatchESPN
  • Saturday, Dec. 20:
    • 12 p.m. on ABC, ESPN, WatchESPN
    • 3:30 p.m. on TNT, truTV, HBO Max
    • 7:30 p.m. on TNT, truTV, HBO Max
• Quarterfinals (Dec. 31-Jan. 1)
  • Wednesday, Dec. 31: Cotton Bowl (Arlington, Texas) | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
  • Thursday, Jan. 1:
    • Orange Bowl (Miami Gardens, Fla.) | 12 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
    • Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Calif.) | 4 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
    • Sugar Bowl (New Orleans) | 8 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
• Semifinals (Jan. 8-9)
  • Thursday, Jan. 8: Fiesta Bowl (Glendale, Ariz.) | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
  • Friday, Jan. 9: Peach Bowl (Atlanta) | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
• National Championship Game
  • Monday, Jan. 19: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN

As the season draws to a close, the excitement surrounding the College Football Playoff is palpable. Fans from across the nation are gearing up for thrilling matchups that promise to deliver memorable moments on the road to the national championship. The mix of established powerhouses and exciting new contenders adds an extra layer of intrigue to this year’s playoffs. Stay tuned as we gear up for a historic culmination of college football in January.