Ohio State took down Notre Dame to win the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff and claim the school’s first national championship since 2014, but now it’s time to get an early look ahead to the 2025 college football season and what teams are in contention right now.

The difference between these predictions and the top-25 ranking is that the bracket predictions more heavily weigh the future games to be played on the field, predicting the outcome. That said, let's take a look at the first bracket projection for the 2025 season.

See below for the 2026 CFB National Championship odds. Odds may vary by sportsbook and are subject to change. The answer is right there in the name: It’s wagering on specific college football outcomes that won’t be decided until well into the future on the NCAAF schedule. We’re talking well beyond Thanksgiving, and sometimes not until the new year.

Way-too-early expert NCAA predictions and projections for college football's 12-team playoff matchups for 2025-26.

Ohio State most recently won a national championship in the 2014 season, the first year of the four-team College Football Playoff era. Now, the Buckeyes

The first year of the 12-team format for the College Football Playoff was a major success. Some games in the first round were blowout but the games got better the longer that the tournament went on. The format resulted in eighth-seeded Ohio State winning four games and winning its first national

In or out? A verdict on which of the College Football Playoff qualifiers will be back in the bracket next season.