The 2025 College Football Playoff bracket is here, and it's already stirring up debates among fans! SI experts Pat Forde and Bryan Fischer are ready to dive into the predictions, but will their picks surprise you? Let's find out!
The selection committee's choices raised some eyebrows on Sunday. Alabama, ranked 9th, and 10th-ranked Miami secured the last at-large spots, leaving Notre Dame fans disappointed. Meanwhile, Group of 5 teams Tulane and James Madison made it to the bracket, marking a significant achievement. And let's not forget the stunning victory of Indiana over Ohio State, solidifying their top position.
The tournament begins with campus games in December, followed by quarterfinals at bowl locations. The semifinals will take place at the Fiesta and Peach Bowls, leading up to the highly anticipated national championship game in Miami Gardens on January 19th.
But here's where it gets interesting: Forde and Fischer's predictions might not align with popular opinion. In the first round, they agree on most matchups, except for the Alabama vs. Oklahoma game, where Fischer favors Alabama. As we move to the quarterfinals, Fischer predicts a few upsets, choosing Alabama over Indiana and Texas Tech over Oregon. Forde, however, sticks with the higher-ranked teams.
And this is the part most people miss—the semifinals. Fischer and Forde both believe Indiana will make it to the final four, but they disagree on their opponent. Fischer goes with Texas Tech, while Forde predicts a showdown with Oregon. In the other semifinal, they both pick Ohio State and Georgia to advance.
Now, the championship game. Will it be a battle between Indiana and Ohio State, as Fischer predicts, or will Forde's choice of Indiana versus Georgia come true? Only time will tell.
What do you think of these predictions? Do you agree with the experts, or do you have your own bracket ideas? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let's discuss the road to the 2025 College Football Playoff championship!
