- Our CBS Sports experts have made their picks for the 2025-26 College Football Playoff, with a focus on key matchups and potential champions.
- The first round will feature Oklahoma vs. Alabama, while quarterfinals are centered around New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
- Indiana and Ohio State are seen as top contenders, but other teams like Georgia and Texas Tech also have a chance to shine.
- Ohio State is favored by many experts due to its elite defense and offense, while Indiana is noted for its defensive prowess against the Buckeyes.
College Football Playoff: Expert Predictions for 2025 National Championship
The College Football Playoff bracket for the upcoming 2025-26 season has been set, and our CBS Sports experts are sharing their predictions on who will emerge as champions. The countdown to the championship game is officially underway.
Key Matchups and Predictions
Kicking off the playoffs on December 19th will be a rematch between Oklahoma (8) and Alabama (9), with this matchup likely to capture attention after their SEC battle in November ended in favor of the Sooners. Tom Fornelli predicts that Ohio State, ranked second nationally, is more likely to win this rematch compared to Indiana, despite the Hoosiers’ impressive performance against the Buckeyes earlier in the season.
Chip Patterson believes that the 2025-26 playoff will be more balanced due to straight seeding. He highlights the top five teams as the only ones capable of winning multiple games within this field, with Ohio State being a strong contender despite its recent setbacks.
According to Patterson, the Buckeyes’ motivation from their Big Ten Championship Game loss could lead them to a back-to-back national title.
John Talty’s bracket is also chalk-heavy but suggests that the champion might come from one of the top four teams: Georgia, Indiana, Ohio State, or Oregon. He expects Oregon to pull off an upset against Texas Tech before falling short in their title game rematch with the Hoosiers. Talty believes Ohio State and Georgia will provide a compelling heavyweight fight, ultimately favoring the Buckeyes based on their balanced team.
Expert Analysis: Healthier Teams and Byes
Brandon Marcello argues that teams receiving first-round byes fared poorly in previous years but expects a different outcome this season. He projects all top four seeds to advance to the semifinals, emphasizing the importance of coaches like Curt Cignetti at Indiana, who has built a formidable defense and offense. Georgia is also seen as an improving team under Kirby Smart’s guidance.
Shehan Jeyaraj suggests that Texas Tech could be underestimated but believes they are a true contender with a top-five offense and defense.
He predicts the Red Raiders will reach the national title game, even over Indiana and Oregon. For the national championship game, Jeyaraj favors Ohio State’s complete team over Georgia’s potential weaknesses.
David Cobb’s Insight: Underestimated Texas Tech
In a season marked by parity, David Cobb admits his initial prediction of Texas Tech being overrated was incorrect. He now sees the Red Raiders as an elite team with both offensive and defensive capabilities, despite their earlier struggles against top opponents.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff is shaping up to be a thrilling season with numerous close matches and potentially surprising outcomes. As the playoffs approach, fans can look forward to highly anticipated battles between powerhouse teams vying for the national championship.
