College Football Braces for Expanded Playoff, New Top 25 Reflects Shifting landscape
As of December 3, 2025, college football is poised for a monumental shift with the implementation of a 12-team college Football Playoff format.The expanded playoff, set too debut in the 2024 season, will grant automatic bids to the five highest-ranked conference champions and seven at-large selections.This restructuring dramatically alters the postseason landscape, introducing first-round games hosted at campus sites and guaranteeing more teams a pathway to national championship contention. A newly released top 25 ranking offers a preliminary look at how teams stack up under the new system.
The change aims to increase access and excitement for fans,while also acknowledging the growing strength and parity within college football. Six conference champions will receive a first-round bye, directly advancing to the quarterfinal stage.The remaining six teams will compete in first-round matchups, setting the stage for a more inclusive and competitive playoff bracket.This expanded format impacts programs across the nation, potentially elevating those from Group of Five conferences and intensifying competition within the Power Five.
Here’s a look at the current top 25 as of December 3, 2025:
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Oregon Ducks
- Washington Huskies
- Florida State Seminoles
- Michigan Wolverines
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Texas Longhorns (9-3)
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Missouri tigers
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Ole Miss Rebels
- Oklahoma Sooners
- Louisville Cardinals
- Vanderbilt Commodores (10-2)
- Utah Utes (10-2)
- USC Trojans (9-3)
- Virginia Cavaliers (10-2)
- Arizona Wildcats (9-3)
- Tulane green Wave (10-2)
- Houston Cougars (9-3)
- Georgia Tech Yellow jackets (9-3)
- Iowa Hawkeyes (8-4)
- North texas Mean Green (11-1)
- James Madison Dukes (11-1)
