College Football Playoff Schedule

Frank Coyle/ Publisher

Dec. 20- Jan 20, 2025
All times Eastern

First round – @ college team sites

Friday, Dec. 20
#10 Indiana at #7 Notre Dame – 8 pm – ABC/ESPN

Saturday, Dec. 21
#11 SMU at #6 Penn State – 12 pm – | TNT
#12 Clemson at #5 Texas – 4 pm – TNT
#9 Tennessee at #8 Ohio State – 8 pm – ABC/ESPN

Quarterfinal Games
Tuesday, Dec. 31
#3 Boise State vs. #6 Penn State/ #11 SMU winner (Fiesta Bowl) – 7:30 pm – ESPN

Wednesday, Jan. 1
#4 Arizona State vs. #5 Texas/ #12 Clemson winner (Peach Bowl) – 1 pm – ESPN
#1 Oregon vs. #8 Ohio State/ #9 Tennessee winner (Rose Bowl) – 5 pm – ESPN
#2 Georgia vs. #7 Notre Dame/#10 Indiana winner (Sugar Bowl) – 8:45 pm – ESPN

Semifinal Games
Thursday, Jan. 9
TBD vs. TBD (Orange Bowl) – 7:30 pm – ESPN

Friday, Jan. 10
TBD vs. TBD (Cotton Bowl) – 7:30 pm – ESPN

Monday, Jan. 20
National Championship Game  
TBD vs. TBD (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia) – 7:30 pm – ESPN

College Football Playoff Rankings

The CFP ranking and seeds differ below. The four teams with playoff byes are in bold.
Here are the final CFP top 25 rankings, with teams in the CFP posting their seeds at the end.

1 Oregon — highest-ranked conference champion (Big Ten) and seeded No. 1
2 Georgia — second-highest-ranked conference champion (SEC) and seeded No. 2
3 Texas — at-large pick (second team from the SEC), seeded No. 5
4 Penn State — at-large pick (second team in the Big Ten), seeded No. 6
5 Notre Dame — at-large pick (independent), seeded No. 7
6 Ohio State — at-large pick (third team from the Big Ten), seeded No. 8
7 Tennessee — at-large pick (third team from the SEC), seeded No. 9
8 Indiana — at-large pick (fourth team from the Big Ten), seeded No. 10
9 Boise State — third-highest-ranked conference champion (Mountain West) and seeded No. 3
10 SMU — at-large pick (from the ACC), seeded No. 11
11 Alabama — first team out of the CFP
12 Arizona State — fourth-highest-ranked conference champion (Big 12) and seeded No. 4

13 Miami (Fla.) – second team out of the CFP
14 Ole Miss – third team out of the CFP
15 South Carolina – fourth team out of the CFP
16 Clemson – fifth-highest-ranked conference champion (ACC) and seeded #121
17 BYU – fifth team out of the CFP
18 Iowa State – sixth team out of the CFP
19 Missouri – seventh team out of the CFP
20 Illinois – eighth team out of the CFP
21 Syracuse – ninth team out of the CFP
22 Army – 10th team out of the CFP
23 Colorado – 11th team out of the CFP
24 UNLV – 12th team out of the CFP
25 Memphis – 13th team out of the CFP

Boise State won the Mountain West Conference championship and lost to only top-ranked Oregon. They are the third-highest-ranked conference champion and thus received a bye into the quarterfinals despite ranking No. 9. Arizona State is ranked only #12, the Sun Devils are the fourth-highest ranked conference champion over the ACC champ #16 Clemson. They earned the #4 seed and the final first-round bye.  Both Texas and Penn St remained in the top four seeds despite losing conference title matchups in their final games.

The four quarterfinal games are not played at the campus sites. These four games — scheduled on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 — will be played at the Fiesta Bowl, Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl and Sugar Bowl. The four highest-ranked conference champions will be assigned one of these bowls in consideration of historic bowl relationships as well as seeding.

The four quarterfinal winners will meet in the semifinals at either the Orange Bowl or the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10. If the seeds hold, that means (1) would meet (4) and (2) would play (3). The two semifinal winners will then play on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the national championship.

2024 College Football Playoff Rankings

College Football Playoff –
Selection Committee Rankings

College Football Playoffs – Dec. 8
Games Played through Saturday, Dec. 7

Final Regular Season CPF Rankings

Rank / Team / Overall Record
1 Oregon 13-0
2 Georgia 11-2
3 Texas 11-2
4 Penn State 11-2
5 Notre Dame 11-1
6 Ohio State 10-2
7 Tennessee 10-2
8 Indiana 11-1
9 Boise State 12-1
10 SMU 11-2
11 Alabama 9-3
12 Arizona State 11-2
13 Miami 10-2
14 Ole Miss 9-3
15 South Carolina 9-3
16 Clemson 10-3
17 BYU 10-2
18 Iowa State 10-3
19 Missouri 9-3
20 Illinois 9-3
21 Syracuse 9-3
22 Army 11-1
23 Colorado 9-3
24 UNLV 10-3
25 Memphis 10-2

About the College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The CFP Selection Committee ranks the top 25 teams at the end of the season. The 12 playoff participants consist of the five highest-ranked conference champions, plus the next seven highest-ranked teams. The four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and receive a first-round bye. The schools seeded five through eight will host those seeded nine through 12 in first-round games. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games – the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on December 31, 2024 and January 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be January 9-10, 2025. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday, January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com.

2024 College Football Playoff Rankings

College Football Playoff – Week 5
This is the 5th of 6th weekly rankings.

Selection Committee Rankings

College Football Playoffs – Dec. 3
Games Played through Saturday, November 30

College Football Rankings

Rank / Team / Overall Record

1. Oregon, Big Ten (12-0)
2. Texas, SEC (11-1)
3. Penn State, Big Ten (11-1)
4. Notre Dame, Independents (11-1)
5. Georgia, SEC (10-2)
6. Ohio State, Big Ten (10-2)
7. Tennessee, SEC (10-2)
8. SMU, ACC (11-1)
9. Indiana, Big Ten (11-1)
10. Boise State, MW (11-1)
11. Alabama, SEC (9-3)
12. Miami, ACC (10-2)
13. Ole Miss, SEC (9-3)
14. South Carolina, SEC (9-3)
15. Arizona State, Big 12 (10-2)
16. Iowa State, Big 12 (10-2)
17. Clemson, ACC (9-3)
18. BYU, Big 12 (10-2)
19. Missouri, SEC (9-3)
20. UNLV, MW (10-2)
21. Illinois, Big Ten (9-3)
22. Syracuse, ACC (9-3)
23. Colorado, Big 12 (9-3)
24. Army, AAC (10-1)
25. Memphis, AAC (10-2)

By Conference: SEC 8, Big 12 5, Big Ten 5, ACC 3, Mountain West 2, American Athletic 1, Independents 1

College Football Playoff – Week 4

 Selection Committee Rankings

 College Football Playoff Rankings – Nov. 27
   Games Played through Saturday, November 23

College Football Rankings

Rank / Team / Overall Record
 1          Oregon               11-0     

2          Ohio State         10-1     

3          Texas                   10-1      

4          Penn State         10-1     

5          Notre Dame      10-1     

6          Miami                 10-1     

7          Georgia               9-2       

8          Tennessee         9-2       

9          SMU                   10-1     

10         Indiana            10-1     

11         Boise State      10-1     

12         Clemson            9-2       

13         Alabama           8-3       

14         Ole Miss             8-3       

15         South Carolina   8-3       

16         Arizona State      9-2       

17         Tulane                   9-2       

18         Iowa State           9-2       

19         BYU                      9-2       

20         Texas A&M        8-3       

21         Missouri             8-3       

22         UNLV                  9-2       

23         Illinois                8-3       

24         Kansas State    8-3       

25         Colorado          8-3       
 

About the College Football Playoff

 The College Football Playoff (CFP) is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The CFP Selection Committee ranks the top 25 teams at the end of the season. The 12 playoff participants consist of the five highest-ranked conference champions, plus the next seven highest-ranked teams. The four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and receive a first-round bye. The schools seeded five through eight will host those seeded nine through 12 in first-round games. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games – the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on December 31, 2024 and January 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be January 9-10, 2025. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday, January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com.

College Football Playoff – Week 3

 Selection Committee Rankings

 College Football Playoff Rankings – Nov. 12
   Week Three Rankings
Games Played through Saturday, November 16

Games of Week – Nov. 23rd
   #5 Indiana (10-0) at #2 Ohio State (9-1) – 12:00 pm
  #17 Army (9-0) vs #4 Notre Dame (9-1) @ Yankee Stadium – 7 pm

 Rank / Team / Overall Record

 1 Oregon 11-0

2 Ohio State 9-1

3 Texas 9-1

4 Penn State 9-1

5 Indiana 10-0

6 Notre Dame 9-1

7 Alabama 8-2

8 Miami 9-1

9 Mississippi 8-2

10 Georgia   8-2

11 Tennessee 8-2

12 Boise State 9-1

13  SMU   9-1

14 BYU   9-1

15 Texas A&M   8-2

16 Colorado   8-2

17 Clemson   8-2

18 South Carolina   7-3

19 Army   9-0

20 Tulane 9-2

21 Arizona State 8-2

22 Iowa State 8-2

23 Missouri 7-3

24 UNLV 8-2

25 Illinois 7-3

 About the College Football Playoff
 
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The CFP Selection Committee ranks the top 25 teams at the end of the season. The 12 playoff participants consist of the five highest-ranked conference champions, plus the next seven highest-ranked teams. The four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and receive a first-round bye. The schools seeded five through eight will host those seeded nine through 12 in first-round games. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games – the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on December 31, 2024 and January 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be January 9-10, 2025. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday, January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com.

2024–25 College Football Playoff

Season     2024 – Nov. 19, 2024

Frank Coyle’ Publisher

Tonight, the CFP committee will unveil their newest Top 25 football standings. It is the third weekly CFP standings which will continue through the end of the regular season. The CFP system made major changes this year, extending to 12 teams with the top four clubs receiving byes in the first round of the playoffs. It provides some interesting debates with many teams in contention with only the final month of the regular season still remaining. The top five conference winners are guaranteed a seed. Currently, six SEC teams are still alive.

CFP Rankings Show – Tonight  7 pm – ESPN

CFP Playoff System

The 2024–25 College Football Playoff is an upcoming single-elimination bracket invitational tournament to determine the national champion of the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It will be the 11th edition of the College Football Playoff (CFP) and will involve twelve teams as ranked by the College Football Playoff poll.

The 2024–25 playoff will be the first to use a twelve-team bracket. The previous 10 annual playoffs of the College Football Playoff contained only four teams. The five highest-ranked conference champions including one from the Group of Five conferences will be selected to compete, along with the top seven at-large teams. Furthermore, the top four conference champions will receive a first-round bye in the playoff.

The playoff bracket’s first round games will be held on December 20 and 21 at respective campus sites. In the quarterfinals, scheduled for December 31 and January 1, 2025, at the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Sugar Bowl, the top four seeds will play the lowest remaining seeds in the bracket. The winners of those games will advance to the Playoff semifinals, held at the Cotton Bowl Classic and Orange Bowl, scheduled for January 9 and 10. The winners of those games will play in the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 20, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

The first round will feature the fifth highest ranked conference champion and seven at large bids seeded based on their CFP ranking at the end of the regular season. The winners advance to face the four highest ranked conference champions in the quarterfinals.

Playoff Schedule

All times are Eastern Time • Schedule source[4]

Round Date  /   Time  /   Matchup   /        Bowl game   / Location  /  TV

First round
December 20
8:00 p.m.          —         Campus site to be determined    ABC/ESPN

December 21
12:00 p.m.                    Campus site to be determined    TNT
4:00 p.m.                      Campus site to be determined
8:00 p.m.                      Campus site to be determined    ABC/ESPN

Quarterfinals
December 31
7:30 p.m.                      Fiesta Bowl       State Farm Stadium • Glendale, Arizona             ESPN

January 1
1:00 p.m.                      Peach Bowl       Mercedes-Benz Stadium • Atlanta, Georgia
5:00 p.m.                      Rose Bowl        Rose Bowl • Pasadena, California
8:45 p.m.                      Sugar Bowl       Caesars Superdome • New Orleans, Louisiana

Semifinals

January 9 –        7:30 p.m.
Orange Bowl     Hard Rock Stadium • Miami Gardens, Florida

January 10 –      7:30 p.m.
Cotton Bowl Classic       AT&T Stadium • Arlington, Texas

Championship   January 20 –      7:30 p.m.
National Championship Mercedes-Benz Stadium • Atlanta, Georgia
 

College Football Playoff Rankings – Nov. 12

   Week Two Rankings

 This will be updated as rankings are revealed weekly on Tuesday nights.
 Both the SEC and Big Ten placed four teams in the projected Week 2 bracket.

Three teams ranked in the top 13 lost over the weekend. Miami to Georgia Tech, LSU to Alabama and Georgia to Ole Miss all lost and would be out of the Playoffs if the season was completed. Georgia would be excluded from the playoffs despite being in the top 12 to a conference champion, Boise State because of the tie breaker rule.

 CFP Rankings – Week Two

    1 Oregon (10-0)
    2 Ohio State (8-1)
    3 Texas (8-1)
    4 Penn State (8-1)
    5 Indiana (10-0)
    6 BYU (9-0)
    7 Tennessee (8-1)
    8 Notre Dame (8-1)
    9 Miami (9-1)
    10 Alabama (7-2)
    11 Ole Miss (8-2)
    12 Georgia Bulldogs * (7-2)
    13 Boise State * (8-1)
    14 SMU (8-1)
    15 Texas A&M (7-2)
    16 Kansas State (7-2)
    17 Colorado (7-2)
    18 Washington State (8-1)
    19 Louisville (6-3)
    20 Clemson (7-2)
    21 South Carolina (6-3)
    22 LSU (6-3)
    23 Missouri (7-2)
    24 Army (9-0)
    25 Tulane (8-2)
 
*Boise State is ranked 13th, but would make the playoff as a projected conference champion. As a consequence, Georgia would be knocked out of the tournament despite being ranked top-12.
 
College Football Playoff Projected Bracket on Nov. 12
 
    Boise State vs Ohio State (winner moves on to play Miami)
    Tennessee vs Notre Dame (winner moves on to play Oregon)
    Ole Miss vs Penn State (winner moves on to play BYU)
    Alabama vs Indiana (winner moves on to play Texas)

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 33 years.
 

Draft Insiders’ and Coaches Top 25 Teams – Sept. 23rd

Texas & Ohio St Roll as Unbeatens
  Georgia/ Alabama Rested for Major National Matchup

Players of Week
Offense – RB Kaleb Johnson – Iowa
Defense – CB Will Johnson – Michigan

Teams of the Week
Colorado Edges Baylor – 38-31 OT
Michigan Beats Southern Cal – 27-24
Tennessee Drills Oklahoma 25-15
 
Upset of the Week
James Madison Bombs North Carolina – 70-50 (Not Basketball)
 
Games of Week – Sept. 28th
  Georgia (3-0) at Alabama (3-0) – Major SEC Clash for #1 Leadership
   Louisville (3-0) at Notre Dame (3-1) – Winner will challenge Top 10 rankings

Top 25 Teams
Draft Insiders’ – Frank Coyle

Rank/ Team/            Record
1 Georgia                    3-0
2 Texas                       4-0
3 Ohio State                3-0
4 Alabama                  3-0
5 Tennessee                4-0
6 Ole Miss                  4-0
7 Oregon                    3-0
8 Miami                       4-0
9 Utah                         4-0
10 Missouri                   4-0
11 Penn State               3-0
12 Michigan                  3-1
13 Notre Dame              3-1
14 LSU                         3-1
15 Louisville                  3-0
16 Clemson                  2-1
17 USC                         2-1
18 Oklahoma                3-1
19 Iowa State                3-0
20 Oklahoma St            3-1
21 Illinois                      4-0
22 BYU                         4-0
23 UNLV                       3-0
24 Texas A&M             3-1
25 Kansas State            3-1

Coaches Top 25 Poll

Rank/    Team    / Record            Points
1 Georgia (35)             3-0        1350
2 Texas (18)                4-0        1324
3 Ohio State (2)          3-0        1279
4 Alabama                   3-0        1185
5 Ole Miss                   4-0        1145
6 Tennessee                4-0        1094
7 Oregon                      3-0        1016
8 Penn State                3-0        967
9 Miami                       4-0        912
10 Utah                        4-0        904
11 Missouri                 4-0        887
12 Michigan                3-1        692
13 LSU                         3-1        632
14 Notre Dame          3-1        553
15 Clemson                2-1        542
16 USC                        2-1        520
17 Louisville               3-0        509
18 Oklahoma              3-1        404
19 Iowa State              3-0        386
20 Oklahoma St         3-1       326
21 Illinois                    4-0        307
22 BYU                       4-0        167
23 UNLV                     3-0        124
24 Texas A&M            3-1        119
25 Kansas State          3-1        116

Others receiving votes: Washington State 94, Indiana 67, Pittsburgh 50, Boise State 42, UCF 35, Iowa 34, Arizona 16, Boston College 15, Duke 14, James Madison 13, Nebraska 7, Washington 6, Rutgers 5, Colorado 5, SMU 4, South Carolina 2, Navy 2, Liberty 2, Arkansas 2

Dropped from rankings: Nebraska 22, Memphis 23

 Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.

College Football Playoff & Bowl Schedule

Here is the College football playoff and bowl schedule for 2024-2025.

This year we will expand to 12-team College Football Playoff.

In addition to the CFP, there will be 36 bowl games in all. (The date and time for the Holiday Bowl will be announced later.)

Here’s a look at this season’s games (all times ET).

College Football Playoff schedule

Friday, Dec. 20

CFP first-round game
Campus site
8 p.m., ABC/ESPN

Saturday Dec. 21

CFP first-round game
Campus site
Noon, TNT

CFP first-round game
Campus site
4 p.m., TNT

CFP first-round game
Campus site
8 p.m., ABC/ESPN

Tuesday, Dec. 31

CFP Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
7:30 p.m., ESPN

Wednesday, Jan. 1

CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
1 p.m., ESPN

CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game
Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
5 p.m., ESPN

CFP Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
8:45 p.m., ESPN

Thursday, Jan. 9 CFP Semifinal at the  Orange Bowl
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
7:30 p.m., ESPN

Frieay, Jan. 10 CFP Semifinal at AT&T Stadium

CFP Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
7:30 p.m., ESPN

Monday, Jan. 20

CFP National Championship
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
7:30 p.m., ESPN

Complete Bowl Game Schedule

Saturday, Dec. 14

Cricket Celebration Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Noon, ABC

Camellia Bowl
Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama)
9 p.m., ESPN

Tuesday, Dec. 17

Boca Raton Bowl
FAU Stadium (Boca Raton, Florida)
5:30 p.m., ESPN

Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl
Toyota Stadium (Frisco, Texas)
9 p.m., ESPN

Wednesday, Dec. 18

LA Bowl
SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
9 p.m., ESPN

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
7 p.m., ESPN2

Friday, Dec. 20

StaffDNA Cure Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
Noon, ESPN

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
3:30 p.m., ESPN

Monday, Dec. 23

Myrtle Beach Bowl
Brooks Stadium (Conway, South Carolina)
11 a.m., ESPN

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Albertsons Stadium (Boise, Idaho)
2:30 p.m., ESPN

Tuesday, Dec. 24

Hawai’i Bowl
Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex (Honolulu)
8 p.m., ESPN

Thursday, Dec. 26

Detroit Bowl
Ford Field (Detroit)
2 p.m., ESPN

Guaranteed Rate Bowl
Chase Field (Phoenix)
5:30 p.m., ESPN

68 Ventures Bowl
Hancock Whitney Stadium (Mobile, Alabama)
9 p.m., ESPN

Friday, Dec. 27

Birmingham Bowl
Protective Stadium (Birmingham, Alabama)
Noon or 3:30 p.m., ESPN

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Amon G. Carter Stadium (Fort Worth, Texas)
Noon or 3:30 p.m., ESPN

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (Memphis, Tennessee)
7 p.m., ESPN

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
10:30 p.m., ESPN

Saturday, Dec. 28

Wasabi Fenway Bowl
Fenway Park (Boston)
11 a.m., ESPN

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
Yankee Stadium (Bronx, New York)
Noon, ABC

Isleta New Mexico Bowl
University Stadium (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
2:15 p.m., ESPN

Pop-Tarts Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
3:30 p.m., ABC

Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop
Arizona Stadium (Tucson, Arizona)
4:30 p.m., CW Network

Go Bowling Military Bowl
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland)
5:45 p.m., ESPN

Valero Alamo Bowl
Alamodome (San Antonio)
7:30 p.m., ABC

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
Independence Stadium (Shreveport, Louisiana)
9:15 p.m., ESPN

Monday, Dec. 30

Transperfect Music City Bowl
Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
2:30 p.m., ESPN

Tuesday, Dec. 31

ReliaQuest Bowl
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Noon, ESPN

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl Stadium (El Paso, Texas)
2 p.m., CBS

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
3 p.m., ABC

Texas Bowl
NRG Stadium (Houston)
3:30 p.m., ESPN

Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
EverBank Stadium (Jacksonville, Florida)
7:30 p.m. ESPN

Friday, Jan. 3

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Gerald J. Ford Stadium (Dallas)
4 p.m., ESPN

Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
7:30 p.m., ESPN

Saturday, Jan. 4

Bahamas Bowl
Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium (Nassau, Bahamas)
11 a.m., ESPN2

‘Word on the Street’

Frank Coyle
www.draftinsiders.com

College Football Playoffs 2024
Format Confirmed For 12-Team Playoff

The College Football Playoff (CFP) Board of Managers today unanimously revised the qualifying criteria for the 12-team event to now include the five highest-ranked conference champions, plus the next seven highest-ranked teams as determined by the CFP Selection Committee.

“This is a very logical adjustment for the College Football Playoff based on the evolution of our conference structures since the board first adopted this new format in September 2022,” said Dr. Mark Keenum, President of Mississippi State University and Chair of the CFP Board of Managers. “I know this change will also be well received by student-athletes, coaches and fans. We all will be pleased to see this new format come to life on the field this postseason.”

This change modifies the original plan, which called for the bracket each year to include the six highest-ranked conference champions, plus the next six highest-ranked teams.

Under the 12-team playoff format that begins this fall, the four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and each will receive a first-round bye, while teams seeded five through 12 will play each other in the first round on the home field of the higher-ranked team. (The team ranked #5 will host #12; team #6 will meet team #11; team #7 will play team #10; and team #8 will meet #9.) The quarterfinals and semifinals will be played in the New Year’s Six bowl games, the national championship game will continue to be at a neutral site. No conference will qualify automatically and there will be no limit on the number of participants from a conference.

About the College Football Playoff

The College Football Playoff (CFP) is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The CFP Selection Committee ranks the top 25 teams at the end of the season, and the 12 playoff participants consist of the six highest ranked conference champions, plus the next six highest ranked teams. The four highest ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and receive a first-round bye. The schools seeded five through eight will host those seeded nine through 12 in first-round games. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games – the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and January 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be January 9-10, 2025. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday, January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit  CollegeFootballPlayoff.com

Members of the CFP board of managers include many conference Presidents.  

 Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in major college player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc. for the past 30 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season.

 He has a new column ‘The Word on the Street’ dedicated for the NFL Draft and Free agency insight and news with unique content during January through May. He was a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS and ESPN on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites