College Football Playoff: Predictions for the 12-Team Field in 2024-25

The College Football Playoff 12-team field is set for the 2024-25 season and it's never too early to predict what will happen from the first round to the national championship. The first extended bracket features intriguing first-round games between Notre Dame-Indiana and Ohio State-Tennessee. And looking ahead, conference champions Arizona State (Big 12) and Boise State (Mountain West) join Georgia (SEC) and Oregon (Big Ten) with a first-round bye.

The first round won't kick off until Dec. 20. However, with the matchups set, Athlon Sports is ready to offer early predictions and projections for the 12-team field. Will the Big Ten win it all for a second year in a row with Oregon, Ohio State, Penn State, or Indiana taking the national title? Or will the SEC return to the top of the college football?

College Football Playoff: Predictions for the 12-Team Field in 2024-25

Steven Lassan

First-Round Games

No. 5 Texas over No. 12 Clemson
No. 6 Penn State over No. 11 SMU
No. 7 Notre Dame over No. 10 Indiana
No. 8 Ohio State over No. 9 Tennessee

Quarterfinals

Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Penn State over No. 3 Boise State
Peach Bowl: No. 5 Texas over No. 4 Arizona State
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon over No. 8 Ohio State
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia over No. 7 Notre Dame

Semifinals

Orange Bowl: No. 2 Georgia over No. 6 Penn State
Cotton Bowl: No. 1 Oregon over No. 5 Texas

National Championship

Oregon over Georgia