CFP 2025: Projecting 12-team field based on preseason US LBM Coaches Poll
There assuredly will be plenty of movement in the top 25 poll between now and the College Football Playoff, including in Week 1, which will feature a rare "Game of the Century." And, of course, teams will overachieve or underachieve throughout the season — this is college football, after all.
Texas made program history with their first-ever preseason No. 1 selection in the Coaches Poll, followed by eight other SEC programs. The rankings weren't as keen on the Longhorns' archrival, Oklahoma, which wasn't included in the rankings for the first time since 1999 (Oklahoma had the most votes of any unranked team).
REQUIRED READING: College football poll rankings hot takes: SEC whips Big Ten in preseason, but not playoff
Reigning national champion Ohio State came in at No. 2 in the polls, although it'll have a chance to regain the top spot as the Buckeyes play Texas in Week 1.
The 12-team CFP has a new seeding process for 2025, getting rid of the top-four ranked conference champions earning first-round byes. Here's a look at how the CFP would shape up based on the preseason Coaches Poll top 25:
College Football Playoff format 2025
The College Football Playoff committee adopted a new seeding process that straight seeds the 12 teams in the CFP in the offseason, getting rid of the four highest-ranked conference champions occupying the top-four seeds, subsequently earning first-round byes.
Instead, the teams will be seeded based on their final rankings in the CFP. There are still five automatic bids given to the five highest-ranked conference champions. Here's how the CFP would look, based on the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll:
Automatic qualifiers bolded
* Ranked No. 25 in preseason Coaches Poll
First round
Quarterfinals
2025 College Football Playoff locations
As in 2024, the first round of the College Football Playoff will take place at the home fields of seeds 5-8. From there, the CFP will advance to the quarterfinals which in 2025 comprises the Cotton, Orange, Rose and Sugar bowls. The semifinals will be held at the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl.
The College Football Playoff championship game will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, home of the Orange Bowl.
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