After a thrilling lead-up filled with drama and intense competition throughout the 2024 college football season, the eagerly awaited 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) is finally here! This groundbreaking expansion from the previous four-team format promises to enhance the excitement, making the quest for the national championship even more challenging and inclusive.

The Road to the Playoffs

This year, college football fans can expect an action-packed playoff series. The top four seeds earned coveted first-round byes, showcasing their stellar performances. No. 1 seed Oregon, No. 2 seed Georgia, No. 3 seed Boise State, and No. 4 seed Arizona State all clinched their spots by winning their respective conference championships. The playoff thrilled audiences further with a stunning upset, as Clemson interpreted a walk-off moment to defeat SMU on a dramatic 56-yard field goal in the ACC Championship Game, securing its place as the No. 12 seed in the CFP bracket.

Exciting Matchups Await

The opening act of this historic playoff kicks off with No. 7 seed Notre Dame squaring off against No. 10 seed Indiana on December 20. This marks a significant moment in college football history – the first game of a new era! Following that, December 21 will host three more thrilling first-round games, as teams vie for a chance to advance to the quarterfinals, which will take place at neutral sites on December 31, 2024, and January 1, 2025.

Schedule Breakdown

Here’s a look at the upcoming schedule for the 2024-25 College Football Playoff. All times listed are in Eastern Time:

First Round

- **Friday, Dec. 20** - (7) Notre Dame 27, (10) Indiana 17 | **Recap** - Location: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana - **Saturday, Dec. 21** - (11) SMU at (6) Penn State: Noon | **TNT** - Location: Beaver Stadium, State College, Pennsylvania - (12) Clemson vs. (5) Texas: 4 p.m. | **TNT** - Location: Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas - (9) Tennessee vs. (8) Ohio State: 8 p.m. | **ABC/ESPN** - Location: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Quarterfinals

- **Tuesday, Dec. 31** - Fiesta Bowl: 6/11 Winner vs. (3) Boise State: 7:30 p.m. | **ESPN** - Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona - **Wednesday, Jan. 1** - Peach Bowl: 5/12 Winner vs. (4) Arizona State: 1 p.m. | **ESPN** - Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia - Rose Bowl: 8/9 Winner vs. (1) Oregon: 5 p.m. | **ESPN** - Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California - Sugar Bowl: 7/10 Winner vs. (2) Georgia: 8:45 p.m. | **ESPN** - Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Semifinals

- **Thursday, Jan. 9**: Orange Bowl, 7:30 p.m. | **ESPN** - Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida - **Friday, Jan. 10**: Cotton Bowl, 7:30 p.m. | **ESPN** - Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

National Championship

- **Monday, Jan. 20**: 7:30 p.m. | **ESPN** - Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

What's Next?

With these thrilling matchups lined up, college football fans are in for an unforgettable postseason. The expanded format not only allows more teams to compete for the top title, but it also brings together rivalries and unexpected matchups, making it a spectacle you won't want to miss! Will your favorite team hoist the championship trophy? Stay tuned to find out!