College Football Playoff: ESPN predicts 2025 12-team bracket, full bowl slate

With the college football season just a couple of weeks away, ESPN predicted the 12-team bracket and full bowl game slate this year. Writers Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach are back with their picks!

Remember, the 12-team College Football Playoff format was slightly changed for this season. The top four seeds, which are first-round byes, go to the four highest ranked teams, regardless. The five highest ranked conference champions in college football are placed in the 12-team bracket based on their overall CFP ranking. Seeds No. 5 through 8 host the first round games on campus sites, just like last season.

After that, the four winners from those games will advance to face the top four seeds in the quarterfinals. The quarterfinal and semifinals games will make up the traditional New Year’s Six bowl games, culminating with the national championship on Jan. 19. You can view the full 2025-26 College Football Playoff projections from ESPN below.

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