How the College Football Playoff Works

The College Football Playoff (CFP) has entered a new era, with the 2024-25 season introducing a 12-team format.

Wondering how it all works? Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know.

What is the College Football Playoff?

The College Football Playoff began in 2014 as a four-team tournament to crown the national champion. After years of debate about the exclusivity of the format, the CFP has now expanded to 12 teams, creating a more inclusive and competitive postseason. This change gives more teams a chance to compete for the title while ensuring top performers in the regular season are rewarded.

How Are Teams Selected?

The CFP selection process remains the same, with a 13-member committee evaluating teams based on performance, strength of schedule, conference championships, and head-to-head results. Here’s how the 12 teams are chosen:

  1. Automatic Bids for Conference Champions:
    • The top five highest-ranked conference champions receive automatic bids.
    • The top four of those champions earn the highest seeds and a first-round bye.
  2. At-Large Bids:
    • Seven at-large teams are chosen based on rankings, including top programs that didn’t win their conferences.
    • This ensures powerhouse programs like Alabama or Ohio State can still qualify if they fall short in their conference title games.

How Does the Playoff Work?

The expanded playoff features 11 games in total:

  1. First Round:
    • Teams ranked 5-12 face off in the first round.
    • The higher-seeded team hosts the game on their home field, adding a unique home-field advantage element.
    • This round is scheduled for Dec. 20-21.
  2. Quarterfinals:
    • The top four seeds, who earned first-round byes, enter the action here.
    • Winners from the first round advance to play these top seeds in neutral-site games hosted by the New Year’s Six bowls (Rose, Sugar, Fiesta, Peach).
    • These games are set for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
  3. Semifinals:
    • The semifinal matchups are determined by the winners of the quarterfinals.
    • This year, the Orange Bowl (Jan. 9) and Cotton Bowl (Jan. 10) will host the semifinals.
  4. National Championship:
    • The two semifinal winners meet to decide the national champion.
    • The title game will be played on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Why Is the New Format Significant?

The 12-team structure brings more inclusivity and excitement. It guarantees at least one spot for a “Group of 5” conference champion, ensuring that dominant teams from smaller conferences—like Boise State or Tulane—get their shot. The first-round home games add a fresh layer of unpredictability, and the extended bracket increases the chance for underdog stories and upsets.

Key Dates for 2024-25

  • First CFP Rankings Announced: Nov. 5, 2024
  • Final CFP Bracket Revealed: Dec. 8, 2024
  • First-Round Games: Dec. 20-21
  • Quarterfinals: Dec. 31 (Fiesta Bowl), Jan. 1 (Sugar, Peach, Rose Bowls)
  • Semifinals: Jan. 9 (Orange Bowl), Jan. 10 (Cotton Bowl)
  • National Championship: Jan. 20

What Does This Mean for Bettors?

It’s good news! The expanded playoff creates more betting opportunities than ever before. The home-field advantage in the first round adds a new dynamic that could tilt the odds. The extended playoff also allows for longer futures markets, giving bettors more time to track potential champions.

Keep an eye on conference championship races and CFP rankings throughout the season—those are key indicators of how the playoff bracket will shape up. And don’t forget about underdog teams from the “Group of 5” conferences, who could provide great value in the first round.