Playoff football has arrived. The 12‑team College Football Playoff is back, with the first round set to ignite the gridiron on Friday, Dec. 19, as Oklahoma hosts Alabama in a clash that could set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
Playoff Format and Byes
The 2025‑26 tournament features 12 teams, with the top four seeds receiving first‑round byes. Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia and Texas Tech are among those that will skip the opening games and await their opponents in the quarterfinals.
First‑Round Matchups
Four games will determine the four quarterfinal participants. The matchups are:
- No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama
- No. 10 Miami vs. No. 7 Texas A&M
- No. 11 Tulane vs. No. 6 Ole Miss
- No. 12 James Madison vs. No. 5 Oregon
Each pairing pits a higher seed against a lower seed, following the CFP’s predetermined bracket.
Game Schedule
The games begin on Friday, Dec. 19, and finish on Saturday, Dec. 20:
- Friday, Dec. 19 – No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma, 7 p.m. CT
- Saturday, Dec. 20 – No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M, 11 a.m. CT
- Saturday, Dec. 20 – No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss, 2:30 p.m. CT
- Saturday, Dec. 20 – No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon, 6:30 p.m. CT
Broadcast and Streaming Options
Two television networks will carry the first‑round games:
- ABC/ESPN will air the Alabama‑Oklahoma and Miami‑Texas A&M contests.
- TNT/truTV will broadcast the Tulane‑Ole Miss and James Madison‑Oregon matchups.
All games will also be available for streaming. Viewers can stream Alabama‑Oklahoma and Miami‑Texas A&M on ESPN, while Tulane‑Ole Miss and James Madison‑Oregon can be streamed on HBO Max.
Quarterfinal Bracket
Because college football does not reseed after each round, the top four seeds know exactly which first‑round winner will face them. The quarterfinal matchups are:
- No. 1 Indiana vs. winner of Oklahoma/Alabama (Rose Bowl)
- No. 2 Ohio State vs. winner of Texas A&M/Miami (Cotton Bowl)
- No. 3 Georgia vs. winner of Ole Miss/Tulane (Sugar Bowl)
- No. 4 Texas Tech vs. winner of Oregon/James Madison (Orange Bowl)
The games will be played at the traditional bowl venues listed.
How the Rounds Work
The playoff is a single‑elimination tournament. Each game is a winner‑takes‑all, and the champion is crowned after the national championship game. The structure ensures that the top seeds face opponents determined by the results of the earlier games, but the bracket remains fixed.
Key Takeaways
- The first round kicks off Dec. 19 with Oklahoma vs. Alabama, followed by three Saturday games.
- ABC/ESPN and TNT/truTV will televise all four games; ESPN and HBO Max provide streaming.
- The top four seeds, Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech, receive byes and will meet the first‑round winners in the quarterfinals.
Conclusion
With the kickoff set, fans can now focus on the matchups and the excitement that comes with the College Football Playoff. Whether you’re watching on television or streaming online, the 2025‑26 tournament promises drama, high‑stakes games, and the chance to see which team will claim the national title.
Hi, I’m Cameron R. Hayes, the journalist, editor, and creator behind NewsOfFortWorth.com. I built this platform with a simple purpose — to deliver fast, clear, and trustworthy news that keeps Fort Worth informed and connected.
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