College Football Playoff Quarterfinals Set: Matchups, Bowls, and Dates Revealed

The 2025‑26 College Football Playoff has its quarterfinals locked in, giving fans a clear picture of the path to the national title.

The Power of the Bye

The unbeaten No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers, defending champion No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs and No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders all receive a first‑round bye, a privilege reserved for the top four seeds in the 12‑team playoff. This advantage means the four teams can rest, practice, and prepare for the high‑stakes games that follow.

No Reseeding, Just a Bracket

Unlike the NFL, the College Football Playoff does not reseed teams after the opening round. The bracket remains fixed, so the winner of any first‑round matchup will face a predetermined opponent. For instance, if No. 12 James Madison defeats No. 5 Oregon, the Dukes will still meet No. 4 Texas Tech in the quarterfinals rather than the top‑seeded Hoosiers.

Quarterfinal Matchups and Bowl Assignments

The quarterfinals will pit the top seeds against the lowest remaining teams in a bracketed format:

• No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 8 Oklahoma / No. 9 Alabama – Rose Bowl
• No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Texas A&M / No. 10 Miami – Cotton Bowl
• No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss / No. 11 Tulane – Sugar Bowl
• No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon / No. 12 James Madison – Orange Bowl

These matchups are set regardless of any first‑round upsets, ensuring that the bracket’s integrity is maintained.

Dates and Venues

The quarterfinal round spans two days:

• Wednesday, December 31 – Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
• Thursday, January 1 – Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California; Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans; Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami‑Garden, Florida

Each bowl game carries its own historic prestige, adding extra excitement to the playoff’s second round.

Why It Matters

The fixed bracket structure means teams can strategize with certainty about who they will face next. It also guarantees that the top four seeds do not have to worry about a potential reseeding that could alter their matchups. Fans, too, can plan their viewing schedules knowing exactly which bowl will host each game.

Key Takeaways

• The top four seeds enjoy a first‑round bye and a fixed path in the bracket.
• Quarterfinal games are scheduled for Dec 31 and Jan 1 at the Cotton, Rose, Orange, and Sugar Bowls.
• Matchups: Indiana vs. Oklahoma/Alabama; Ohio State vs. Texas A&M/Miami; Georgia vs. Ole Miss/Tulane; Texas Tech vs. Oregon/James Madison.

The 2025‑26 College Football Playoff quarterfinals promise high‑level competition and a clear roadmap to the national championship, with the biggest programs in the country ready to battle for supremacy on some of the sport’s most iconic stages.