The 2024-2025 College Football Playoffs: A Journey to the National Championship

The 2024-2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) season delivered thrilling matchups, showcasing the very best of college football. With the top 12 teams battling for the title under the expanded playoff format, fans were treated to unforgettable moments. Here's a detailed recap of the season, from the first-round games to the national championship.

Selection and Seeding

The top 12 teams in the 2024-2025 CFP bracket featured a mix of conference champions and at-large selections:

1. Oregon — highest-ranked conference champion (Big Ten) and seeded No. 1

2. Georgia —  second-highest-ranked conference champion (SEC) and seeded No. 2

3. Texas — at-large pick (second team from the SEC), seeded No. 5

4. Penn State — at-large pick (second team in the Big Ten), seeded No. 6

5. Notre Dame — at-large pick (independent), seeded No. 7

6. Ohio State — at-large pick (third team from the Big Ten), seeded No. 8

7. Tennessee — at-large pick (third team from the SEC), seeded No. 9

8. Indiana — at-large pick (fourth team from the Big Ten), seeded No. 10

9. Boise State — third-highest-ranked conference champion (Mountain West) and seeded No. 3

10. SMU — at-large pick (from the ACC), seeded No. 11

11. Alabama — first team out of the CFP

12. Arizona State — fourth-highest-ranked conference champion (Big 12) and seeded No. 4

First-Round Thrillers

The first-round games, held on December 20 and 21, brought the excitement of college football to campus sites:

• No. 7 Notre Dame 27, No. 10 Indiana 17: Notre Dame’s defense came up big, stifling Indiana’s late comeback attempt.

• No. 6 Penn State 38, No. 11 SMU 10: Penn State’s explosive offense dominated SMU, cruising to a comfortable victory.

• No. 5 Texas 38, No. 12 Clemson 24: Texas’s dynamic attack proved too much for Clemson, who couldn’t keep up in the second half.

• No. 8 Ohio State 42, No. 9 Tennessee 17: Ohio State overwhelmed Tennessee with a balanced offensive onslaught.

Quarterfinal Showdowns

The quarterfinals, held at iconic bowl venues, delivered some of the most exciting games of the season:

• No. 7 Notre Dame 23, No. 2 Georgia 10 (Sugar Bowl): Notre Dame stunned Georgia with a dominant defensive performance, pulling off the upset of the playoffs.

• No. 6 Penn State 31, No. 3 Boise State 14 (Fiesta Bowl): Penn State’s physicality and depth overwhelmed Boise State, ending the Broncos’ Cinderella run.

• No. 5 Texas 39, No. 4 Arizona State 31 (2OT) (Peach Bowl): In a double-overtime thriller, Texas outlasted Arizona State with clutch plays on both sides of the ball.

• No. 8 Ohio State 41, No. 1 Oregon 21 (Rose Bowl): Ohio State shocked the top-seeded Ducks with a dominant performance, punching their ticket to the semifinals.

Semifinal Drama

The semifinal games on January 9 and 10 were filled with tension and unforgettable moments:

• No. 7 Notre Dame 27, No. 6 Penn State 24 (Orange Bowl): Notre Dame edged Penn State in a nail-biter, with a late field goal sealing their spot in the championship.

• No. 8 Ohio State 28, No. 5 Texas 14 (Cotton Bowl): Despite the final score, Texas pushed Ohio State to its limits in a tightly contested battle. Texas quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning led several impressive drives, keeping the Buckeyes’ defense on edge. The game remained within one score for much of the second half, but a late Ohio State interception sealed the deal. The Longhorns showed resilience and determination, proving they were one of the most formidable teams in the nation.

The National Championship: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame

The grand finale took place on January 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The matchup featured two storied programs, each vying for their first CFP title under the expanded format.

Ohio State came out firing on all cylinders, with quarterback Will Howard leading the offense to an early lead. Notre Dame fought back behind their star running back Jeremiyah Love, but critical turnovers hindered their momentum. The Buckeyes’ defense, led by standout linebacker J.T. Tuimoloau, stifled Notre Dame.

In the end, Ohio State claimed a convincing 34-23 victory, earning their first national championship since 2014 and cementing their legacy as a powerhouse program.

Looking Ahead

The 2024-2025 College Football Playoff season was a resounding success, delivering unforgettable games and moments. With the expanded playoff format creating more opportunities for teams to compete, the future of college football has never looked brighter. Fans can’t wait to see what the 2025-2026 season holds as teams prepare to challenge Ohio State for the crown.