College Football Playoff: ESPN projects entire 2025 12-team field

ESPN projected the entire 12-team College Football Playoff field for the 2025-26 season and we already can’t wait!

Ohio State won the first 12-team edition of the bracket this season, winning four straight games as a No. 8 seed. Will there be tweaks to the seeding by the time the next CFP rolls around? That’s to be determined.

With that being said, let’s dive into ESPN’s College Football Playoff projections. ESPN is assuming the top four seeds that get byes are still reserved for conference champions at this point.

College Football Playoff First Round Matchups

12. Boise State at 5. Alabama
11. North Carolina at 6. Texas
10. LSU at 7. Notre Dame
9. Ohio State at 8. Michigan

ESPN kept it simple by picking all of the home teams in the first round. Basically, until proven otherwise, home field advantage is a real thing in the first round of the 12-team playoff. By the way, Michigan beating Ohio State, essentially, back to back weeks in Ann Arbor? The scenes!

But as you can see, Texas, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Boise State all return to the postseason. The newbies are Alabama coming back into the fold, Michigan making a leap, LSU finally getting in under Brian Kelly and Bill Belichick leading the Tar Heels to the playoffs in his first year! Man, just imagine UNC played Alabama instead and Nick Saban was still patrolling the sidelines too! Instead, he’ll coach against Texas QB Arch Manning.

College Football Playoff Quarterfinals: 8. Michigan vs. 1. Georgia (Sugar Bowl)

Winner: Georgia

So let’s dive into this. Georgia is clearly back to normal right? The Bulldogs win the SEC and get the No. 1 seed in the playoff. They’ll take out the Wolverines in the Sugar Bowl.

5. Alabama vs. 4. Louisville (Orange Bowl)

Winner: Alabama

Who will they face? Well Alabama of course! This assumes Alabama was the SEC runner-up based on the seeding going into next year’s playoff. ESPN also projected Louisville to get to the playoff for the first time by winning the ACC. But, that’s all she wrote as they’ll fall in the Orange Bowl.

6. Texas vs. 3. Utah (Cotton Bowl)

Winner: Utah

Now we head to the other side of the bracket with a Cotton Bowl featuring Texas! Despite winning in the first round, Utah gets the win. It’s the Utes’ playoff debut under Kyle Whittingham, in what could be his final season. Utah gets the win and advances to the semifinals after winning the Big 12.

7. Notre Dame vs. 2. Penn State (Rose Bowl)

Winner: Penn State

Now we get a rematch! The Rose Bowl features Penn State and Notre Dame in a rematch of this year’s semifinals at the Orange Bowl. This time, with the Nittany Lions running it back, they get the win and advance.

College Football Playoff Semifinals: 5. Alabama vs. 1. Georgia (Peach Bowl)

Winner: Georgia

Georgia will return to the playoff national championship by beating Alabama, presumably, a second time next season. It’s just the latest conquest by Kirby Smart. Now, to who they will face.

3. Utah vs. 2. Penn State (Fiesta Bowl)

Winner: Penn State

Penn State gets over the hump and gets to the national championship by beating Utah. The Nittany Lions won the Fiesta Bowl over Boise State in this year’s quarterfinals and they’ll do it again in next year’s semifinals.

College Football Playoff National Championship: 1. Georgia vs. 2. Penn State

Winner: Penn State

So we get the top two teams next season in the finals. And guess what? James Franklin finally does it! ESPN’s argument for Penn State to win the playoff is the team running it back, loading it up and Drew Alalr getting it done like Will Howard did. Oh yeah, Jim Knowles is Penn State’s new DC. So maybe he can win two titles in a row as an assistant.