Notre Dame Opens New 12 Team CFP Series
College Football Playoff Schedule
Frank Coyle/ Publisher
Playoff Schedule
Dec. 20- Jan 20, 2025
all times Eastern
Notre Dame kicks off the inaugural 12 team CFP system tonight to head an exciting weekend which opens with four games. The four winners will play the top four teams which earned a bye in the opening round. Oregon, Georgia, Boise State and Arizona State will wait for the four winners this weekend to determine their opponent in the quarterfinal rounds – Dec, 31-Jan.1.
The Irish (11-1) finished this season on a 10-game winning streak and will host the surprising Indiana Hoosiers (11-1). The weather is old time Midwest football with cold and snow being a big factor. Temperatures are in the 20’s and the field is still being cleared of snow at midday. Both Penn State and Ohio State host games Saturday and each could be affected by inclement weather.
The new 12 team CFP bracket begins an exciting postseason where the national champion must win at least three games in the system. First round participants need to win four games to claim the title.
Playoff Schedule
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
National Championship Game
Monday, Jan. 20
TBD vs. TBD (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia) – 7:30 pm – ESPN
