Here’s a question for OU football fans: Would you rather see the Sooners host Notre Dame or Miami in the first round of the College Football Playoff?
That’s likely how the CFP bracket will play out when the 12-team field is unveiled at 11 a.m. CT Sunday, Dec. 7.
The Sooners (10-2) should remain the No. 8 seed and host the No. 9 seed, which figures to be either the Fighting Irish or Hurricanes or maybe even a rematch with Alabama.
Here’s how The Oklahoman sports staff sees the bracket playing out.
Jenni Carlson, columnist
- Indiana*
- Ohio State
- Georgia*
- Texas Tech*
- Oregon
- Ole Miss
- Texas A&M
- Oklahoma
- Notre Dame
- Miami
- Tulane*
- James Madison*
When I did my predictions last week, I did it thinking that Indiana, Georgia and Texas Tech would win their respective conference championship games and that Ohio State would only fall from No. 1 to No. 2. Well, the Hoosiers, Bulldogs and Red Raiders won, and with Indiana-Ohio State being a highly competitive game, it seems even more plausible that the Buckeyes stay at No. 2. Will the selection committee see it that way? No way to know. Beyond that, hard to see much from No. 5 to 9 changing. But Duke beating Virginia gives the committee an interesting dilemma. I suspect Miami gets in while Alabama and BYU are left to raise legit hell (or heck?) about getting left out.
Joe Mussatto, columnist
- Indiana*
- Georgia*
- Ohio State
- Texas Tech*
- Oregon
- Ole Miss
- Texas A&M
- Oklahoma
- Notre Dame
- Miami
- Tulane*
- James Madison*
Alabama’s no-show against Georgia in the SEC title game has opened the door for both Notre Dame and Miami to get in. Do I like penalizing a team that lost in a conference championship game? No. The Crimson Tide would be in had it not played the extra game. But losing by three scores now gives the committee an excuse to spurn the Tide and avoid having the Notre Dame/Miami debate. Virginia was the biggest loser Saturday as Duke vaulted the Dukes into the playoff..
Jeff Patterson, sports editor
- Indiana*
- Georgia*
- Ohio State
- Texas Tech*
- Oregon
- Ole Miss
- Texas A&M
- Oklahoma
- Notre Dame
- Alabama
- Tulane*
- James Madison*
The members of the College Football Playoff committee already showed us their hand Tuesday night. They moved Alabama from 10th to ninth, one spot ahead of Notre Dame, giving the Crimson Tide a bit of a cushion to make the 12-team field if they lost to Georgia. The real battle for the committee is picking between Notre Dame and Miami. The Fighting Irish haven’t fallen below the Hurricanes yet, even with Miami earning the head-to-head win. And there’s no reason Notre Dame falls below Miami now, either.
Colton Sulley, OU beat writer
- Indiana*
- Ohio State
- Georgia*
- Texas Tech*
- Oregon
- Ole Miss
- Texas A&M
- Oklahoma
- Notre Dame
- Alabama
- Tulane*
- James Madison*
Indiana is your No. 1 seed in the playoff. The No. 2 seed is up for debate between Ohio State and Georgia, but the Buckeyes have arguably the best loss of the season — to the Hoosiers. Nos. 3-8 are pretty simple and round out an electric list of first-round playoff sites. Here’s where it gets crazy. Alabama, BYU, Miami and Notre Dame are all on the bubble. The committee has shown us which teams they value and I’m sticking with Notre Dame — which has been in the committee’s top 10 in every ranking — and Alabama. The Crimson Tide’s win over the Bulldogs in the regular season is better than Miami’s over the Irish. Lastly, James Madison edges Duke, which has five losses, in the committee’s eyes.
When does College Football Playoff bracket come out?
The final CFP rankings will be released on Dec. 7. You can watch or stream the College Football Playoff selection show on ESPN.
What time is the College Football Playoff selection show?
The CFP rankings selection show is scheduled to begin at noon ET on Dec. 7.
College Football Playoff bracket 2025-26 dates
- First round: Dec. 19 and 20
- Quarterfinals: Dec. 31 and Jan. 1
- Semifinals: Jan. 8 and 9
- National championship: Jan. 19
