The 2025-26 College Football Playoff bracket began the weekend with 12 teams and has now been reduced to eight. The regular season was filled with drama, and the first round of the expanded playoff delivered more of the same.
The opening game of the CFP saw No. 9 Alabama overcome an early 17-point deficit to stun No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24. The Crimson Tide became the first team in the 12-team era to win a playoff game on the road. Alabama will now face No. 1 Indiana in the quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl, with a trip to the national championship game on the line.
Alabama was not the only road team to advance. No. 10 Miami followed with a 10-3 win over No. 7 Texas A&M after forcing a turnover in the final minute. The Hurricanes will face No. 2 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.
No. 6 Ole Miss may not have had former coach Lane Kiffin on the sideline, but it hardly mattered. The Rebels cruised to a 41-10 win over No. 11 Tulane to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals. Ole Miss will face SEC foe Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.
The final first-round game featured No. 5 Oregon against No. 12 James Madison. The Ducks advanced with a dominant 51-34 win and will face No. 4 Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl.
Below, you’ll find all the viewing information for every game, from the four quarterfinals games played on campus to the CFP National Championship.
CBS Sports graphic
2025-26 College Football Playoff bracket
All times Eastern
First round
Friday, Dec. 19
Saturday, Dec. 20
- (10) Miami 10, (7) Texas A&M 3 | Recap
Kyle Field — College Station, Texas - (6) Ole Miss 41, (11) Tulane 10 | Recap
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium — Oxford, Mississippi - (5) Oregon 51, (12) James Madison 34 | Recap
Autzen Stadium — Eugene, Oregon
Quarterfinals
Wednesday, Dec. 31
- Cotton Bowl (2) Ohio State vs. (10) Miami — : 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
AT&T Stadium — Arlington, Texas
Thursday, Jan. 1
- Orange Bowl — (4) Texas Tech vs. (5) Oregon — : Noon | ESPN
Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, Fla. - Rose Bowl (1) Indiana vs. (9) Alabama — : 4 p.m. | ESPN
Rose Bowl — Pasadena, Calif. - Sugar Bowl (3) Georgia vs. (6) Ole Miss —: 8 p.m. | ESPN
Caesars Superdome — New Orleans
Semifinals
Thursday, Jan. 8
- Fiesta Bowl: 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
State Farm Stadium — Glendale, Ariz.
Friday, Jan. 9
- Peach Bowl: 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta
College Football Playoff National Championship
Monday, Jan. 20
- 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, Fla.
