What’s the New College Football Playoff Format?

The College Football Playoff is underway, and the BetMGM online sportsbook offers ample betting opportunities on NCAAF odds.

Below, I’ll review the new College Football Playoff format. 

New College Football Playoff Format: What Is It?

Before this season, four teams made the College Football Playoff, with No. 1 versus No. 4 and No. 2 versus No. 3. 

Now, there are 12 teams. 

The top four teams receive a first-round bye. 

The first-round matchups and who they’ll play if they win consist of the following: 

• No. 5 vs. No. 12: Winner plays No. 4.
• No. 6 vs. No. 11: Winner plays No. 3. 
• No. 7 vs. No. 10: Winner plays No. 2. 
• No. 8 vs. No. 9: Winner plays No. 1

Who Are the College Football Playoff Teams This Year?

The College Football Playoff features two ACC, three SEC, one Big 12, one Mountain West, four Big Ten, and one Independent program. 

• No. 1: Oregon Ducks
• No. 2: Georgia Bulldogs
• No. 3: Boise State Broncos
• No. 4: Arizona State Sun Devils
• No. 5: Texas Longhorns 
• No. 6: Penn State Nittany Lions
• No. 7: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
• No. 8: Ohio State Buckeyes
• No. 9: Tennessee Volunteers
• No. 10: Indiana Hoosiers
• No. 11: SMU Mustangs
• No. 12: Clemson Tigers

Where Is the College Football National Championship in 2025?

The national championship game will be played on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Merecedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.

What Bowl Games Are in the College Football Playoffs?

The bowl games played within the College Football Playoff include the following: 

• Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Arizona State vs. winner of Texas/Clemson
• Rose Bowl: Oregon vs. winner of Ohio State/Tennessee
• Vrbo Fiesta Bowl: Boise State vs. winner of Penn State/SMU
• Allstate Sugar Bowl: Georgia vs. winner of Notre Dame/Indiana
• Goodyear Cotton Bowl: Winner of Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl/Rose Bowl
• Capital One Orange Bowl: Winner of Vrbo Fiesta Bowl/Allstate Sugar Bowl

What Does CFP Mean?

CFP is an abbreviation for College Football Playoff.