College Football Playoff bracket, schedule, scores, dates, kickoff times for quarterfinal bowl games
The 12-team College Football Playoff moves along now that the first-round action is in the books, and a slew of highly anticipated quarterfinal matchups are on deck over the course of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. While there wasn't much drama during the first-round slate, the hope is that business picks up as we move to bowl sites and closer to crowning a national champion.
Not only did all four Las Vegas favorites win, but all four covered the spread. The average margin of victory in the first round was 18 points, and teams covered the spread by an average of 10.25 points. It should go without saying, but all four games were decided by at least two possessions.
The quarterfinal round promises to bring a bit more excitement. Few matchups will be more anticipated than the Rose Bowl rematch between (1) Oregon, which had a first-round bye, and (8) Ohio State, which dominated Tennessee to give coach Ryan Day a much-needed signature win.
Two of college football's most storied programs will face off in the Sugar Bowl as (7) Notre Dame, fresh off a win against Indiana, will play (2) Georgia. The Bulldogs earned a first-round bye after beating Texas -- which will play Arizona State in the Peach Bowl -- in the SEC Championship Game.
The Fiesta Bowl between (6) Penn State and (3) Boise State could provide some fireworks, as well. Two of the nation's best players in Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren will take center stage.
Here's a rundown of scores from the first round of the College Football Playoff and a look at all of the future matchups. All times Eastern
Friday, Dec. 20
Saturday, Dec. 21
Tuesday, Dec. 31
Wednesday, Jan. 1
Thursday, Jan. 2
Thursday, Jan. 9
Friday, Jan. 10
Monday, Jan. 20
College Football Playoff bracket predictions: Second-chance expert picks for crowning 2025 national champion
The 2024-25 College Football Playoff bracket has now evolved into the second phase of the historic tournament. With the first round now in the books -- and every betting favorite advancing to the quarterfinals -- just seven games remain in the season as we move closer toward crowning a national champion.
The action began Friday night with (7) Notre Dame winning 27-17 over (10) Indiana, a game nowhere near as close as the score indicated. (6) Penn State's 38-10 victory over (11) SMU earlier Saturday was precisely as dominant as the score suggests, while (5) Texas looked ready to pull away from (12) Clemson only to fall back a bit in the second half before decisively prevailing 38-24. The nightcap saw (8) Ohio State cruise to a devastating 42-17 win over (9) Tennessee.
What's still left to determine is which team is most likely to win the national title. Seven of our 11 experts below have (1) Oregon becoming the first 17-0 team in college football history. None of the other four remaining experts picked a team that received a first-round bye meaning they all expect a program to win four straight postseason games on the way to a national championship.
As for what's coming next week, the Ducks rematch the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl, (2) Georgia takes on the Fighting Irish in the Sugar Bowl (they previously met there in 1981), (3) Boise State aims to fend off the surging Nittany Lions in the friendly confines of the Fiesta Bowl (Broncos won there in 2007, 2010, 2014), and (4) Arizona State meets the Longhorns in the Peach Bowl.
Will it be another clean sweep for the favorite, or might someone finally spring an upset in this edition of the CFP? With 134 FBS teams now whittled down to eight, all that's left to do is take a second look at our picks. CBS Sports experts did exactly that below. We've spent months on end watching, analyzing and projecting games, and now, we've now filled out our brackets (some for a second time) using all that accumulated knowledge in an attempt to help guide you through your own choices.
Think of these as cheat sheets, if you will, as you make your own predictions ahead of the quarterfinals of the expanded College Football Playoff.
A bit chalky from Dennis with not really selecting a stunning upset in the first round. That all changes going forward, though, with teams all having played a game beating those who received byes. Dennis has Ohio State overcoming the outside noise and winning the national title. | Round 1 picks: 4-0
Lots of belief in the Fighting Irish from Tom, who has Notre Dame taking down Indiana, Georgia and Penn State in succession to reach the CFP National Championship. Not as much belief in ND as someone else, though, as Tom has Oregon avoiding any Big Ten rematches on the way to the program's first national title. | Round 1 picks: 3-1
Dabo Swinney clearly won Chip over. Picking No. 12 seed, three-loss Clemson to win two games was arguably most dramatic projection any of our experts. Unfortunately, it did not pay off. Chip clearly does not believe in Arizona State, though, as he now has Texas advancing to the semifinals. | Round 1 picks: 2-2
This would be quite a run for Notre Dame and coach Marcus Freeman if Richard is on point with the Fighting Irish winning their first national championship since 1988. It would include Notre Dame, which already beat offensive powerhouse Indiana, knocking off the 2021-22 national champions in Georgia and taking down the nation's only remaining undefeated team. Luck of the Irish, indeed. | Round 1 picks: 4-0
The Ponies had legs for Shehan ... but they certainly did not have them on the field in Happy Valley. Shehan now has Penn State taking down Boise State and advancing into the semifinals. Will Ohio State go from losing at home against its greatest rival -- as two-touchdown favorites -- to winning four straight games (including getting revenge on Oregon) on its way to winning its first national title in a decade? | Round 1 picks: 3-1
Though Arizona State is the higher seed as a conference champion, Will is one of few who chose the Sun Devils to take down Texas in the second round. In the end, it doesn't matter, as he has Oregon coming out of that side of the bracket and hoisting the trophy in Atlanta. | Round 1 picks: 4-0
There's really no reason to doubt Oregon and Georgia given their conference title game performances. With Carson Beck now expected to be out for the Bulldogs, this shows a lot of believe in the defense to handle a multi-talented Nittany Lions offense. This is one of four brackets to (incorrectly) pick Tennessee over Ohio State. | Round 1 picks: 3-1
Brandon projects a Big Ten Championship Game rematch in the CFP National Championship, which would certainly be something on which the conference could hang its hat. Will the SEC really only win two total games in the entire playoff field? | Round 1 picks: 4-0
Well, at least someone believes in Texas. While the Longhorns technically had four ranked wins during the season, none of those teams are still in the top 25. Still, Brad has Texas winning four straight games against top-16 teams -- knocking off
undefeated Oregon Ohio State and a Georgia team that's beaten UT twice already -- on its way to the national title. OK, cool. Hook 'em. Taking a second look at his bracket after the OSU win, he now has the Buckeyes toppling the Ducks, too. | Round 1 picks: 3-1
Jack did not go to Arizona State, and he's not a Sun Devil, man, but he wants ASU dollars -- at least into the semifinals. He is one of seven who have Oregon taking that game and ultimately winning the national championship. | Round 1 picks: 4-0
Rounding out our bracket picks, I'm perfect (obviously) through the first round ... but Notre Dame over Georgia certainly remains a risky proposition in the quarterfinals given the playoff pedigree of the Dawgs. Without Beck, though, that road got a lot easier for the Fighting Irish -- and possibly Oregon, too. | Round 1 picks: 4-0
College Football Playoff bracket predictions and bowl picks
Championship weekend delivered a blockbuster befitting of the first 12-team College Football Playoff.
In Atlanta, it took overtime, but Georgia, even after two regular-season losses, claimed the SEC by beating Texas and stealing an all-important first-round bye from the Longhorns, who will still host a quarterfinal against 12-seed Clemson.
Top-ranked Oregon and Penn State engaged in an offensive shootout in Indianapolis. But despite a late effort from the Nittany Lions, the Ducks proved once again why they are both still undefeated and ranked atop the college football world. Dan Lanning's 13-0 team doesn't just get a first-round bye -- they'll be playing in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.
In the land of underdogs and surprises, Arizona State and Boise State made loud statements in their respective Big 12 and Mountain West championship games, earning improbable -- but well-deserved -- first-round byes. Who would have seen that coming four months ago? Not the Big 12 media, which predicted the Sun Devils to finish last in the conference.
And finally, in Charlotte, Dabo Swinney and Clemson (with an assist from Syracuse last week) resurrected their once-lost season and found themselves with another conference championship and a spot in the playoff by beating SMU on a last-second field goal. The Mustangs had to sweat it out overnight, but in the end, they -- not Alabama, not Ole Miss, not South Carolina and not Miami -- found themselves in the playoff field as well. Their reward? A trip to Happy Valley to face No. 6 Penn State.
After months of rankings, seedings and countless debates, we have a 12-team bracket that brings about plenty of enticing questions and intriguing possibilities.
Can Oregon run the table and go 16-0 and finally get the coveted national championship the program craves? Will Georgia once again show itself to be the sport's flagship program a year after missing out on the playoff? How far will the Cinderella runs of Boise State and Arizona State go? Is a sleeping giant such as Notre Dame, Ohio State or Tennessee better positioned for a run after not having to play in a conference championship? Or will the new format bring about more chaos and produce a double-digit-seed semifinalist, maybe even a familiar winner like Clemson?
Here are our full picks for the inaugural, 12-team College Football Playoff.
First round
Texas 28, Clemson 14 Ohio State 27, Tennessee 24 Penn State 24, SMU 23 Notre Dame 38, Indiana 17
Quarterfinals
Texas 33, Arizona State 30 Oregon 35, Ohio State 31 Penn State 38, Boise State 35 Notre Dame 23, Georgia 20
Semifinals
Texas 31, Oregon 30 Notre Dame 27, Penn State 24
National title game
Texas 31, Notre Dame 27
First round
Texas 31, Clemson 21 Ohio State 28, Tennessee 24 Penn State 31, SMU 17 Indiana 31, Notre Dame 24
Quarterfinals
Oregon 35, Ohio State 28 Arizona State 31, Texas 28 Penn State 38, Boise State 24 Georgia 42, Indiana 38
Semifinals
Oregon 42, Arizona State 31 Georgia 28, Penn State 24
National title game
Oregon 31, Georgia 24
First round
Texas 35, Clemson 16 Ohio State 17, Tennessee 10 Penn State 31, SMU 20 Notre Dame 24, Indiana 23
Quarterfinals
Oregon 28, Ohio State 21 Texas 31, Arizona State 17 Penn State 24, Boise State 20 Notre Dame 20, Georgia 16
Semifinals
Oregon 35, Texas 31 Notre Dame 23, Penn State 21
National title game
Oregon 28, Notre Dame 27
First round
Texas 45, Clemson 27 Ohio State 28, Tennessee 27 SMU 30, Penn State 28 Notre Dame 42, Indiana 10
Quarterfinals
Texas 34, Arizona State 21 Ohio State 32, Oregon 31 SMU 36, Boise State 33 Notre Dame 21, Georgia 20
Semifinals
Ohio State 27, Texas 24 Notre Dame 35, SMU 28
National title game
Ohio State 27, Notre Dame 24
First round
Texas 41, Clemson 31 Ohio State 24, Tennessee 20 Penn State 31, SMU 28 Notre Dame 34, Indiana 17
Quarterfinals
Texas 30, Arizona State 13 Oregon 35, Ohio State 34 Boise State 28, Penn State 20 Notre Dame 24, Georgia 16
Semifinals
Oregon 24, Texas 20 Notre Dame 27, Boise State 17
National title game
Oregon 27, Notre Dame 24
First round
Texas 31, Clemson 14 Ohio State 27, Tennessee 24 Penn State 35, SMU 21 Notre Dame 24, Indiana 20
Quarterfinals
Texas 34, Arizona State 24 Ohio State 30, Oregon 28 Boise State 28, Penn State 27 Georgia 24, Notre Dame 21
Semifinals
Ohio State 31, Texas 30 Georgia 34, Boise State 21
National title game
Georgia 28, Ohio State 23
First round
Texas 31, Clemson 20 Ohio State 17, Tennessee 14 Penn State 41, SMU 35 Indiana 24, Notre Dame 21
Quarterfinals
Texas 27, Arizona State 17 Oregon 35, Ohio State 13 Penn State 31, Boise State 21 Georgia 27, Indiana 10
Semifinals
Oregon 37, Texas 31 Georgia 20, Penn State 17
National title game
Oregon 34, Georgia 27
First round
Texas 24, Clemson 16 Ohio State 26, Tennessee 19 Penn State 34, SMU 23 Notre Dame 31, Indiana 21
Quarterfinals
Texas 33, Arizona State 20 Oregon 38, Ohio State 35 Penn State 35, Boise State 31 Notre Dame 19, Georgia 17
Semifinals
Oregon 31, Texas 21 Notre Dame 27, Penn State 26
National title game
Oregon 38, Notre Dame 27
First round
Texas 24, Clemson 20 Ohio State 28, Tennessee 17 Penn State 34, SMU 24 Notre Dame 35, Indiana 21
Quarterfinals
Arizona State 24, Texas 21 Oregon 38, Ohio State 31 Penn State 27, Boise State 24 Georgia 24, Notre Dame 21
Semifinals
Oregon 38, Arizona State 27 Georgia 27, Penn State 21
National title game
Oregon 24, Georgia 20
First round
Texas 24, Clemson 12 Tennessee 21, Ohio State 20 Penn State 27, SMU 19 Notre Dame 31, Indiana 23
Quarterfinals
Arizona State 27, Texas 23 Oregon 35, Tennessee 28 Boise State 28, Penn State 27 Notre Dame 16, Georgia 14
Semifinals
Oregon 44, Arizona State 38 Notre Dame 20, Boise State 14
National title game
Oregon 30, Notre Dame 27
First round
Texas 27, Clemson 14 Tennessee 27, Ohio State 24 Penn State 34, SMU 20 Notre Dame 28, Indiana 17
Quarterfinals
Arizona State 27, Texas 24 Oregon 34, Tennessee 21 Penn State 31, Boise State 27 Notre Dame 21, Georgia 17
Semifinals
Oregon 38, Arizona State 27 Notre Dame 24, Penn State 20
National title game
Oregon 31, Notre Dame 20
First round
Texas 27, Clemson 17 Tennessee 34, Ohio State 31 Penn State 37, SMU 30 Notre Dame 24, Indiana 21
Quarterfinals
Texas 34, Arizona State 27 Oregon 30, Tennessee 24 Penn State 41, Boise State 24 Georgia 38, Notre Dame 27
Semifinals
Oregon 31, Texas 17 Georgia 28, Penn State 21
National title game
Oregon 28, Georgia 20
College Football Playoff schedule: 12-team playoff bracket, scores, bowl games, 2024-25 CFP kickoff times
The first round of the 12-team College Football Playoff didn't feature many thrilling games, but on-campus atmospheres helped set the tone for the new system. It was a clean sweep for the favorites in the first round, as all four home teams picked up key victories.
(5) Texas outlasted (12) Clemson and (6) Penn State pounced on miscues from (11) SMU to run away. (7) Notre Dame beat down (10) Indiana in an anticipated in-state matchup, while (8) Ohio State looked the part of a true national championship contender in an obliteration of (9) Tennessee.
Now, the four winners will travel to historic bowl sites to play against the top four conference champions in the quarterfinals. As the Big Ten champion, (1) Oregon gets priority for the Rose Bowl against (8) Ohio State. (2) Georgia heads to the Sugar Bowl against (7) Notre Dame. (3) Boise State travels to a familiar locale as it vies with (6) Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl, and (4) Arizona State opens its first CFP appearance against (5) Texas.
The winners of the matchups will move onto the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, which will take place at the Orange Bowl (Jan. 9) and Cotton Bowl (Jan. 10). The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship takes place on Jan. 20, 2025 in Atlanta.
All times Eastern
Wednesday, Jan. 1
Thursday, Jan. 2
Thursday, Jan. 9
Friday, Jan. 10
Monday, Jan. 20
