College Football Playoff Bracket Set: Oregon Leads as No. 1 Seed
The highly anticipated final College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings are here, and with them, the inaugural 12-team CFP bracket has officially been unveiled. Oregon, the only undefeated team in the FBS, claimed the No. 1 seed after an electrifying win in the Big Ten Championship. Here’s how the bracket shapes up:
First-Round Byes
No. 1 Seed – Oregon (Big Ten Champion)
Oregon solidified its spot as the top team in the country with a high-scoring victory over Penn State in the Big Ten Championship. Under head coach Dan Lanning, the Ducks (13-0) enter the playoffs as the sole unbeaten team and will enjoy a first-round bye, advancing straight to the quarterfinals.
No. 2 Seed – Georgia (SEC Champion)
Georgia earned its playoff berth with a dramatic overtime victory over Texas in the SEC Championship. Despite losing quarterback Carson Beck to injury, the Bulldogs held firm, with Gunner Stockton and Trevor Etienne sealing the deal. Georgia’s ranking ahead of SMU and Arizona State secured them the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.
No. 3 Seed – Boise State (Mountain West Champion)
Boise State clinched its spot early with a dominant 21-7 victory over UNLV in the Mountain West Championship. Propelled by star running back Ashton Jeanty, the Broncos were the third-highest ranked conference champion and will head to the quarterfinals.
No. 4 Seed – Arizona State (Big 12 Champion)
Arizona State earned its place with a commanding 45-19 win over Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship. Led by Cam Skattebo’s standout performance and a strong defense, the Sun Devils secured a first-round bye and enter the playoffs on a hot streak.
First-Round Matchups (Campus Sites)
No. 12 Clemson (ACC Champion) at No. 5 Texas
Clemson edged SMU with a last-second field goal in the ACC Championship to steal a playoff bid. The Tigers will now face Texas, which narrowly fell to Georgia in the SEC Championship. This clash will take place at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium.
No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State
Tennessee closed its season strong with a win over Vanderbilt, earning a spot in the playoff as the No. 9 seed. Ohio State, coming off a loss to Michigan, missed the Big Ten Championship but will host this first-round matchup in Columbus.
No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State
SMU’s ACC Championship loss to Clemson came down to the wire, but the Mustangs secured the No. 11 seed. Penn State, fresh from a narrow loss to Oregon, retains its high ranking and will host the first-round game in Happy Valley.
No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame
Indiana earned an at-large bid after an impressive 66-0 win over Purdue. They’ll take on Notre Dame, who is riding a 10-game win streak and boasts an 11-1 record. The Fighting Irish will host this matchup.
Teams Just Missing the Cut
- Alabama
- Miami
With first-round byes for Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State, the stage is set for a thrilling postseason. First-round games kick off on campus sites later this month, with the winners advancing to the quarterfinals. The 12-team playoff format promises excitement, and the Ducks are the team to beat as they chase a national championship.
