The College Football Playoff bracket is officially set. Now in its second year under the expanded 12-team format, this year’s road to the national championship is wide open.
The College Football Playoff kicks off on December 19, and culminates with the National Championship Game on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Let’s take a closer look at all 12 playoff teams, breaking down their path toward a national title.
The Complete 12-Team Playoff Breakdown
No. 1 Seed: Indiana (13-0)
+290 to win national championship
Indiana finished the season with a perfect record to earn the No. 1 seed and now awaits the winner of Alabama-Oklahoma. Led by Heisman Trophy-favourite Fernando Mendoza, the Hoosiers are perhaps the most “ready” of all 12 playoff teams. If they can win their next three games, we could be looking at one of the greatest Cinderella seasons in college football history.
No. 2 Seed: Ohio State (12-1)
+240 to win national championship
Despite losing the Big Ten Championship game to Indiana, the Buckeyes have the best odds to win this year’s College Football Playoff. Ohio State gets a first-round bye and now awaits the winner of Miami-Texas A&M. With a talented, young quarterback in Julian Sayin and one of the country’s top defences, the Buckeyes are the current betting favourite to win this year’s national championship.
No. 3 Seed: Georgia (12-1)
+500 to win national championship
Fresh off their dismantling of Alabama in the SEC Championship, Georgia enters the playoffs with a ton of momentum and will face the winner of Ole Miss-Tulane. The Bulldogs still have a dominant defence and have gotten clutch performances from QB Gunner Stockton. With a favourable path in this year’s CFP bracket, Georgia offers solid betting value for a program that is just three years removed from back-to-back national championships.
No. 4 Seed: Texas Tech (12-1)
+800 to win national championship
Coming off a win over BYU in the Big 12 Championship Game, Texas Tech secured the No. 4 seed in the CFP. With the nation’s third-highest scoring offence and third-lowest scoring defence, the Red Raiders enter the postseason as a legitimate powerhouse. Having earned a first-round bye, they will face the winner of Oregon-James Madison and have a real shot at going the distance this postseason.
No. 5 Seed: Oregon (11-1)
+800 to win national championship
They say defence wins championships. If that’s true, Oregon has a great shot to win this year’s College Football Playoff. The Ducks have one of the top defences in the country, especially versus the pass. They drew a winnable first-round matchup versus James Madison, and if victorious, would face Texas Tech in the second round. With an impressive resume and just a single loss on the campaign, Oregon could make a deep run in the postseason.
No. 6 Seed: Ole Miss (11-1)
+2500 to win national championship
This may be the program’s first time qualifying for the College Football Playoff, but Ole Miss is hoping to make some noise in the postseason. Rebels QB Trinidad Chambliss leads an offence that’s put up 37.3 points per game, helping them pick up impressive wins over top programs like LSU and Oklahoma. Provided they win their first-round matchup versus Tulane, Ole Miss could have what it takes to upset Georgia and compete for a national championship.
No. 7 Seed: Texas A&M (11-1)
+1700 to win national championship
Texas A&M has gone somewhat under the radar this season. It’s easy to forget that this team went 11-1 in a very competitive SEC. The Aggies have a balanced offensive attack and a great situational defence, especially on third downs. They have a tough road ahead, with an opening game against Miami and potential second-round matchup versus Ohio State, but don’t count Texas A&M out just yet.
No. 8 Seed: Oklahoma (10-2)
+4000 to win national championship
With a stout defence and a solid strength of schedule, Oklahoma is a great sleeper pick in this year’s College Football Playoff. The Sooners finished the season with four straight wins over quality opponents, and now enter the postseason playing their best football. It won’t be an easy journey, however, with Oklahoma facing Alabama in the opening round, and undefeated Indiana waiting to play the winner.
No. 9 Seed: Alabama (10-3)
+2500 to win national championship
It’s been a rollercoaster season from the Crimson Tide. As the No. 9 seed, Alabama has an uphill battle ahead of them. Under head coach Kalen DeBoer, their spread offence can put up points in a hurry but has been inconsistent throughout the regular season. This team isn’t the powerhouse it once was under Nick Saban, but Alabama has the experience and pedigree needed to make a run in the 2025 College Football Playoff.
No. 10 Seed: Miami (10-2)
+2000 to win national championship
After barely edging out Notre Dame for a spot in the College Football Playoff, the Hurricanes are looking to create some postseason chaos. Bolstered by an explosive offence and top-tier run defence, don’t be surprised if they pull off an upset or two along the way. This team seems to enjoy playing the role of scrappy underdog, and they’ll have to be just that if they want to win a national title.
No. 11 Seed: Tulane (11-2)
+75000 to win national championship
This is Tulane’s first time reaching the College Football Playoff and the Green Wave is looking to make a big splash. This year’s AAC champions have a balanced offence and an opportunistic defence, which may allow them to compete against higher-level competition. If they continue to win the turnover battle, an opening-round upset over Ole Miss isn’t out of the question.
No. 12 Seed: James Madison (12-1)
+50000 to win national championship
The Dukes are riding high heading into the playoffs, but as a first-time CFP participant from a non-Power 5 conference, a run at the national championship seems unlikely. After winning the Sun Belt Championship, this year has been a major stepping stone for the program, even if they fall to Oregon in the first round.