College Football Playoff Bracket: Explained

Nick Leason

-Nov 8, 2025

College Football Playoff Bracket: Explained

The College Football Playoff (CFP) bracket determines the national champion in Division I FBS college football. It features four teams selected by a committee, culminating in two semifinal games and a championship game. This system replaced the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) to offer a more inclusive and exciting postseason experience, promising a fair shot at the title for top-performing teams.

Key Takeaways

The CFP selects four teams to compete in a postseason tournament.
Selection is based on a committee's ranking, considering factors like win-loss record, strength of schedule, and head-to-head results.
The playoff consists of two semifinal games, followed by a championship game.
The CFP replaced the BCS to provide a more inclusive and fair system.
Expansion to 12 teams is planned, adding more teams a chance to compete.

Introduction

The College Football Playoff (CFP) is the postseason tournament that decides the national champion of college football's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). It's a relatively new format, having been established in 2014, replacing the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). This change aimed to create a more straightforward and arguably fairer system for determining the national champion. The CFP involves a selection committee that ranks teams throughout the season, ultimately choosing four teams to compete in a bracket-style tournament. This culminates in two semifinal games, with the winners advancing to the national championship game.

What & Why

The CFP's primary purpose is to crown a national champion through a competitive tournament. The selection process considers several factors. These include a team's win-loss record, the strength of its schedule, head-to-head results against other top teams, and conference championships. The committee uses these criteria to rank the top 25 teams in the nation, with the top four earning a spot in the playoff. The winners of the semifinal games then meet to play for the national championship.

Benefits of the CFP:

More Inclusive: The CFP aimed to provide more teams with a legitimate chance to compete for the national title, unlike the BCS, which often left deserving teams out.
Increased Fan Engagement: The playoff format creates heightened anticipation and excitement as the season progresses, with each game having significant implications.
Fairer Championship Determination: By including a playoff, the CFP reduces the reliance on subjective rankings and increases the likelihood that the two best teams will ultimately compete for the title.

Potential Risks and Criticisms:

Subjectivity of Selection: The selection committee's rankings can still be perceived as subjective, leading to controversy when deserving teams are left out.
Conference Bias: Some critics argue that the system favors teams from the Power Five conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC), potentially excluding teams from smaller conferences.
Regular Season Dilution: Some argue that the playoff diminishes the importance of the regular season, as teams with losses can still make the playoffs.

How-To / Steps / Framework Application

Understanding the CFP bracket involves several key steps:

Regular Season: The college football season begins in late August/early September and runs through November. Teams compete in their respective conferences, and the results heavily influence the CFP rankings.
Selection Committee Meetings: Throughout the season, the CFP selection committee meets weekly to rank the top 25 teams. These rankings are released to the public, offering insight into the committee's perspective.
Final Rankings and Selection: After the conference championship games, the committee releases its final rankings. The top four teams are selected for the playoff.
Bracket Placement: The committee also determines the matchups for the semifinal games. Typically, the No. 1 seed plays the No. 4 seed, and the No. 2 seed plays the No. 3 seed. The higher seeds host the games.
Semifinal Games: The two semifinal games are played at designated bowl sites (e.g., the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl). The winners advance to the national championship game.
National Championship Game: The two remaining teams compete in the national championship game, held at a neutral site, to determine the national champion.

Understanding the Selection Process:

Committee Composition: The selection committee comprises athletic directors, former coaches, and individuals with extensive knowledge of college football.
Selection Criteria: The committee considers various factors, including win-loss record, strength of schedule, conference championships, head-to-head results, and any other relevant information.
Rankings: The committee produces weekly rankings, which are used to determine the playoff teams and the matchups.

Examples & Use Cases

Example of CFP Bracket Progression

2021-2022 Season: In the 2021-2022 season, the four teams selected for the playoff were Alabama (No. 1), Michigan (No. 2), Georgia (No. 3), and Cincinnati (No. 4). Alabama defeated Cincinnati in one semifinal, and Georgia defeated Michigan in the other. In the National Championship, Georgia beat Alabama.
2022-2023 Season: The 2022-2023 CFP featured Georgia (No. 1), Michigan (No. 2), TCU (No. 3), and Ohio State (No. 4). Georgia defeated Ohio State in a semifinal, and TCU defeated Michigan in the other. Georgia beat TCU in the National Championship.

Example of Strength of Schedule Impact

Scenario: Two teams have similar records, but one plays in a tougher conference and has played more ranked teams.
Impact: The team with the stronger schedule is more likely to be ranked higher by the committee, as they have demonstrated their ability to compete against stronger opponents.

Best Practices & Common Mistakes

Best Practices:

Follow the Rankings: Pay attention to the weekly CFP rankings released by the committee. They provide insights into the committee's thinking and how teams are viewed.
Understand Selection Criteria: Familiarize yourself with the criteria the committee uses to evaluate teams. This will help you understand why certain teams are ranked where they are.
Analyze Strength of Schedule: Pay close attention to a team's strength of schedule. This is a crucial factor in the selection process.
Watch Key Games: Watch games between teams in contention for a playoff spot. Head-to-head results can be important.

Common Mistakes:

Ignoring Strength of Schedule: Underestimating the importance of a team's schedule can lead to misjudging their chances of making the playoff.
Focusing Solely on Win-Loss Record: While a winning record is essential, it's not the only factor. The committee considers various other factors.
Overlooking Conference Championships: Winning a conference championship can significantly boost a team's chances of making the playoff.
Assuming Rankings are Static: The rankings change weekly, based on the results of games. Staying up-to-date is important.

FAQs

How are the teams selected for the College Football Playoff? The selection committee ranks the top 25 teams based on win-loss record, strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and conference championships. The top four teams are selected for the playoff.
Who is on the College Football Playoff selection committee? The selection committee comprises athletic directors, former coaches, and individuals with extensive knowledge of college football. — Golden Gate Park Weather Forecast: Your Ultimate Guide
What criteria does the CFP selection committee use? The committee considers win-loss record, strength of schedule, head-to-head results, conference championships, and other relevant factors. — Jayden Daniels Injury: What Happened?
How is the CFP different from the BCS? The CFP is a four-team playoff system, while the BCS used a combination of computer rankings and human polls to determine the national championship participants. The CFP aimed to provide a fairer and more inclusive selection process.
When does the College Football Playoff start? The CFP begins with the semifinal games, typically played on or around New Year's Day. The national championship game usually takes place a week or two later.
Will the CFP expand in the future? Yes, the CFP is scheduled to expand to 12 teams, allowing more teams the opportunity to compete for a national championship. — NC State Vs. Pitt: Game Day Preview & Analysis

Conclusion with CTA

The College Football Playoff is the culmination of the college football season, providing a thrilling tournament to determine the national champion. Understanding the selection process, the bracket format, and the key factors influencing team rankings can enhance your enjoyment of the sport. Stay informed, follow the rankings, and enjoy the excitement of the CFP.

Ready to dive deeper? Explore the CFP rankings and schedules on the official College Football Playoff website to stay updated on the latest developments.

Last updated: October 26, 2023, 10:00 UTC