New Orleans – College football fans are gearing up for an exciting playoffs season as the official 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) field and final top 25 rankings were announced on December 8. The quarterfinals are set to kick off on January 1, 2025, with some thrilling matchups on the horizon.
The top seed, Oregon, is one of the standout teams this year, having consistently performed at a high level. Alongside Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State also received first-round byes. This structure ensures that the teams that excelled in their conferences are rewarded with a chance to advance without playing in the initial round.
The final CFP rankings show how some teams’ performances affected their playoff seeds. Notably, Boise State claimed the third-highest spot as a conference champion despite being ranked at No. 9. This illustrates the unique selection process where conference success can boost a team’s playoff chances over their overall ranking. Similarly, Arizona State, while ranked No. 12, took the No. 4 seed, securing a bye due to their conference championship win.
The first round of playoffs will take place in some of the most iconic bowl games, including the Fiesta Bowl, Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Sugar Bowl, scheduled for December 31 and January 1. The quarterfinal winners will then face off in the semifinals at either the Orange Bowl or Cotton Bowl on January 9 and January 10. If the rankings hold, the matchups will set up a showdown between the top seeds.
Finally, the championship game will take place on January 20 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where two teams will battle for the ultimate title. With so much talent and competition, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an exciting and memorable college football playoff season.
