Exciting First-Round Matchups Announced for 2025 College Football Playoff

The second edition of the 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) bracket is officially set. This year’s lineup features a wide mix of teams, including two Group of 5 programs, five SEC schools, and an ACC team that didn’t even win its conference championship.

The CFP’s new format gives the top four overall ranked teams first-round byes. Seeds 5-8 will host first-round games on their home turf.

Fans are getting a blend of classic powerhouses and upstart contenders. It’s shaping up to be a postseason worth watching, no matter who you root for.

The New-Look College Football Playoff Format

This year, the CFP changed its structure in a big way. The five highest-ranked conference champions now get automatic bids, and the top four overall ranked teams (regardless of conference title) earn first-round byes.

It’s a move that’s supposed to make things a little fairer and more competitive. Whether it works or not—well, we’ll see.

First-Round On-Campus Matchups

First-round games for seeds 5-8 will be played on campus. That’s a real home-field advantage, and it’s bound to shake things up.

Here’s a quick look at the four first-round matchups:

• Oklahoma vs. Alabama: This one’s at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma, on Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. ET. Oklahoma makes its 12-team CFP debut and has beaten Alabama before, even in Tuscaloosa. Alabama, with those 18 national titles, is always a threat, but the Sooners have a shot.
• Texas A&M vs. Miami: Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, will host this game on Dec. 20 at noon ET. Texas A&M is in the Playoff for the first time and leans on a tough defense and QB Marcel Reed. Miami squeaked past Notre Dame for an at-large bid, so there’s some intrigue here.
• Ole Miss vs. Tulane: They’ll meet at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, on Dec. 20 at 3:30 p.m. ET. Ole Miss dominated Tulane in the regular season, but now they’re without head coach Lane Kiffin, who left for LSU. That twist adds some drama.
• Oregon vs. James Madison: This one kicks off Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon’s a heavy favorite, but James Madison, making its first CFP appearance, has a defense that could cause problems.

Key Storylines and Players to Watch

There’s no shortage of storylines in these first-round games. Plenty of players could swing the outcome, and a few teams have something to prove.

Oklahoma’s Defensive Dominance

Oklahoma’s defense has been a force all year, sitting in the top 10 nationally. They’ve racked up 41 sacks—tied for first in the FBS—and limit opponents to just under 14 points per game.

Quarterback John Mateer, with 19 touchdowns, will need to keep things steady against Alabama. The defense will have to show up big time.

Texas A&M’s Balanced Attack

Texas A&M has found success on both offense and defense, ranking in the top 20 for each. Sophomore QB Marcel Reed has nearly 3,000 passing yards and 25 touchdowns.

Defensive end Cashius Howell, a Lombardi finalist, leads with 11.5 sacks. The Aggies will need to keep their cool against Miami when the pressure’s on.

Ole Miss’s Coaching Changes

Lane Kiffin’s exit to LSU has left Ole Miss in flux. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. is sticking around for the Playoff, but Pete Golding has stepped up as head coach.

The Rebels’ offense, led by QB Trinidad Chambliss and RB Kewan Lacy, could make the difference against Tulane. The coaching shuffle adds another layer of unpredictability.

James Madison’s Cinderella Story

James Madison’s run to the CFP, just four seasons into FBS play, is wild. Head coach Bob Chesney and QB Alonza Barnett III have guided the Dukes to a top-10 defense and a bunch of gritty wins.

They’re up against a juggernaut in Oregon, so it’s a real David vs. Goliath scenario. Still, you’ve got to respect what JMU’s done so far.

Why These Matchups Matter

These first-round games go beyond just moving on in the bracket. They show how college football is changing, with two Group of 5 teams and a new seeding format shaking up the old order.

Historical Context

Each matchup carries its own history. Oklahoma and Alabama have tangled before, with the Sooners getting the better of it lately.

Texas A&M and Miami rarely meet in the postseason, but both have deep roots in the sport. Ole Miss and Tulane go way back, and Oregon vs. James Madison feels like old guard versus new blood.