College Football Playoff Primer: What to Watch as the 12-Team Showdown Begins
The wait is almost over. After months of buildup, upsets, and dominance across the country, the 2025 College Football Playoff is about to kick off. This is what the entire season has been building toward - and now, the nation’s top 12 teams are ready to battle it out for college football’s ultimate prize.
This year marks the second installment of the expanded 12-team format, but there's a twist: the playoff is shifting to a straight-seeding model. That means the top four teams - regardless of conference title status - earn a first-round bye. It's a cleaner, more competitive setup that puts the focus squarely on performance, not politics.
But don’t be fooled - the conference champs are still flexing. No.
1 Indiana, No. 3 Georgia, and No.
4 Texas Tech all claimed titles in their respective leagues. The lone exception?
No. 2 Ohio State.
The Buckeyes didn’t win the Big Ten, but they didn’t need to. Their regular season résumé was that strong, and they’ll enter the playoff as the defending national champions with a target on their backs and a roster built to repeat.
Still, as we’ve seen time and again in sports, seeding doesn’t guarantee survival. Upsets happen.
Favorites fall. And with the added depth of a 12-team field, chaos is always lurking.
As we head into the first round, here’s a look at some of the storylines that could dominate the conversation once the dust settles.
Don’t Count Out the Group of Five
Every year, the College Football Playoff sparks debate about who belongs - and who doesn’t. That conversation is already heating up when it comes to the Group of Five.
Thanks to the structure of the new format - which reserves at least one spot for a Group of Five team - we’ll see not one but two such programs in the field this year: No. 12 James Madison and No.
11 Tulane. And while that’s a win for inclusion, it hasn’t stopped critics from questioning their place among college football’s elite.
The argument? A supposed talent gap between the Power Four and the Group of Five.
And there’s some truth to that. Power programs have more resources, more depth, and more access to top-tier talent.
That’s why a true Cinderella run - the kind that defines March Madness - feels so rare in college football.
But improbable doesn’t mean impossible. And the idea that Group of Five teams should be excluded simply because they’re long shots misses the point.
These teams earned their way in. They’ve won, they’ve battled, and they deserve their shot.
Yes, both James Madison and Tulane are heavy underdogs in their opening matchups. But if we start eliminating teams based on hypothetical blowouts or recruiting rankings, we’re not really playing a playoff - we’re just protecting the status quo.
The beauty of this format is that it gives everyone a path. Let’s see what they do with it.
Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama Tenure Already Under Fire
It hasn’t taken long for the pressure to ramp up in Tuscaloosa. Alabama fans are used to dominance, and anything less than a national title run tends to raise eyebrows. Enter Kalen DeBoer, who’s still in his first year at the helm and already facing some serious scrutiny.
The Crimson Tide limped into the playoff after a rough finish to the season, capped by a humbling 28-7 loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. That wasn’t just a loss - it was a gut punch. Alabama went 2-2 over its last four games against FBS opponents, and while wins over LSU and Auburn look solid on paper, they didn’t exactly inspire confidence.
Now comes a rematch with Oklahoma - a team that already beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa back in October. And the matchup isn’t a friendly one for the Tide. Oklahoma’s speed and offensive versatility present real problems for an Alabama unit still searching for answers on that side of the ball.
If the Sooners take care of business again, the noise around DeBoer’s future will only get louder. He’s a proven coach with a strong track record, but Alabama is a different beast.
The expectations are sky-high, and patience is in short supply. A first-round exit could trigger some serious conversations about what’s next - and where DeBoer fits into that future.
Lane Kiffin’s Departure? Ole Miss Might Be Just Fine
Lane Kiffin is off to LSU, and most of his offensive staff is going with him. That kind of turnover usually spells trouble, especially in the middle of a playoff run. But don’t be so quick to count out Ole Miss.
The Rebels are still loaded - both on the sideline and on the field. Defensive coordinator-turned-head coach Pete Golding is steering the ship now, and he’s got a roster that’s more than capable of making noise. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is still in command, and All-SEC running back Kewan Lacy gives this team a dynamic one-two punch on offense.
Their first-round opponent? Tulane - a team Ole Miss already dismantled 45-10 earlier this year. If the Rebels come out sharp, they should cruise into the quarterfinals and set up a rematch with Georgia.
That’s where things get interesting.
Back in October, Ole Miss actually led Georgia 35-26 heading into the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs rallied late to win, but the Rebels showed they could hang. If Golding and his staff learned from that collapse - and if the roster stays locked in - Ole Miss could be a real threat to crash the semifinal party.
And if they do? Lane Kiffin might become a footnote in what could be a historic run.
A Rough Opening Round Could Embarrass the SEC
The SEC has long been college football’s gold standard. But this year’s playoff could be a reality check - and the first round might be especially unkind.
Start with Texas A&M. The Aggies were undefeated until the final week of the regular season, when Texas handed them a 27-17 loss that exposed some real flaws.
A&M’s résumé took a hit, too - all seven of their conference wins came against teams with losing records, and four of those opponents fired their coaches midseason. That’s not exactly a murderers’ row.
Now they face Miami, a team that’s been quietly building momentum. If the Aggies show up flat, they could be heading home early.
Then there’s Alabama and Oklahoma. As mentioned earlier, the Crimson Tide already lost to the Sooners once this season. If they fall again, it’ll mark another early exit for an SEC powerhouse.
Ole Miss, at least, should advance. And if they do, they’ll face Georgia - guaranteeing the SEC at least one semifinalist.
But beyond that? It’s murky.
The SEC isn’t going anywhere as a conference. But this year’s playoff could be a reminder that the rest of the country is catching up - and fast.
Let the Madness Begin
The College Football Playoff might not have the single-elimination chaos of March Madness, but it’s getting closer. With 12 teams, more matchups, and more chances for upsets, this format brings fresh energy to the postseason.
Ohio State is looking to repeat. Indiana is trying to prove its No. 1 seed is no fluke.
Georgia wants to reclaim its crown. And programs like Ole Miss, Oklahoma, and even James Madison are hoping to make a little history of their own.
It all starts this weekend. Buckle up - we’re in for a ride.