The 2025-26 College Football Playoff has some familiar faces as well as some newcomers.
Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama and Oregon are among those who’ve made the national title bracket since the playoff began more than a decade ago. Texas A&M football, Miami and Tulane are among those there for the first time.
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The National Championship trophy is seen on the field before the Texas A&M Aggies take on the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first quarter at Kyle Field on Nov. 15, 2025 in College Station.
Alex Slitz/Getty Images
So, when does the CFP begin? Does the College Football Playoff start today?
No, national championship tournament begins next week. But there is one non-CFP bowl game today, Saturday, Dec. 13: Boise State vs Washington at 7 p.m.
Here’s everything you need to know about the CFP, which starts Friday:
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College Football Playoff format
This is the second season the CFP is a 12-team bracket. Play will open with team seeded fifth through eighth hosting a first-round game on campus. The lowest-four seeds will be the visitors in the those matchups. The top four seeds earned first-round bye into to the national quarterfinals, which will be played New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Winners of Dec. 31 and Jan.1 games move to the CFP semifinals Jan. 8 and 9, with the national title game to follow Jan. 19.
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College Football Playoff schedule
First-round games
No. 9 Alabama vs No. 8 Oklahoma time, TV info
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Location:Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla.
No. 10 Miami vs No. 7 Texas A&M time, TV info
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Location: Kyle Field in College Station
No. 11 Tulane vs No. 6 Ole Miss time, TV info
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Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.
No. 12 James Madison vs No. 5 Oregon time, TV info
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Location: Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
College Football Playoff rankings
No. 1 Indiana
No. 2 Ohio State
No. 3 Georgia
No. 4 Texas Tech
No. 5 Oregon
No. 6 Ole Miss
No. 7 Texas A&M
No. 8 Oklahoma
No. 9 Alabama
No. 10 Miami
No. 11 Tulane
No. 12 James Madison
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