College Football Playoff: Predictions for the 12-Team Field in 2025-26
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The College Football Playoff 12-team field is set for the 2025-26 season and it’s never too early to predict what will happen from the first round to the national championship. The second 12-team extended bracket features intriguing first-round games between Alabama-Oklahoma and Miami-Texas A&M. And looking ahead, Ohio State, Indiana, Texas Tech, and Georgia await the winners of the first-round matchups in the quarterfinals.
The first round won’t kick off until Friday, Dec. 19. However, with the matchups set, Athlon Sports is ready to offer early predictions and projections for the 12-team field. Will the Big Ten win it all for a third year in a row with Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon ranking in the top five of the final selection committee top 25? Or will the SEC return to the top of the college football with Georgia poised for a deep run. Could Texas Tech’s much-improved defense bring a title to Lubbock?
Athlon Sports’ editors Steven Lassan, Thomas Neumann, and Kyle Wood predict the 2025-26 College Football Playoff.
College Football Playoff: Predictions for the 12-Team Field in 2025-26
Steven Lassan
First-Round Predictions
No. 5 Oregon over No. 12 James Madison
No. 6 Ole Miss over No. 11 Tulane
No. 7 Texas A&M over No. 10 Miami
No. 8 Oklahoma over No. 9 Alabama
Quarterfinals Predictions
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Indiana over No. 8 Oklahoma
Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Ohio State over No. 7 Texas A&M
Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Georgia over No. 6 Ole Miss
Orange Bowl: No. 4 Texas Tech over No. 5 Oregon
Semifinal Predictions
Peach Bowl: No. 1 Indiana over No. 4 Texas Tech
Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Ohio State over No. 2 Georgia
National Championship
No. 2 Ohio State over No. 1 Indiana
Thomas Neumann
First-Round Predictions
No. 5 Oregon over No. 12 James Madison
No. 6 Ole Miss over No. 11 Tulane
No. 7 Texas A&M over No. 10 Miami
No. 8 Alabama over No. 9 Oklahoma
Quarterfinals Predictions
Orange Bowl: No. 4 Texas Tech over No. 5 Oregon
Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Georgia over No. 6 Ole Miss
Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Ohio State over No. 7 Texas A&M
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Indiana over No. 8 Alabama
Semifinal Predictions
Peach Bowl: No. 1 Indiana over No. 4 Texas Tech
Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Georgia over No. 2 Ohio State
National Championship
No. 3 Georgia over No. 1 Indiana
Kyle Wood
First-Round Predictions
No. 5 Oregon over No. 12 James Madison
No. 6 Ole Miss over No. 11 Tulane
No. 10 Miami over No. 7 Texas A&M
No. 8 Alabama over No. 9 Oklahoma
Quarterfinal Predictions
Orange Bowl: No. 4 Texas Tech over No. 5 Oregon
Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Georgia over No. 6 Ole Miss
Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Ohio State over No. 10 Miami
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Indiana over No. 8 Alabama
Semifinal Predictions
Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Georgia over No. 2 Ohio State
Peach Bowl: No. 1 Indiana over No. 4 Texas Tech
National Championship
No. 1 Indiana over No. 3 Georgia
Related: College Football Playoff: First-Round Matchups, Predictions, Storylines to Watch
Related: College Football Playoff Preview: How Each Team in the 12-Team Field Can Win it All
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 8, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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