College Football Playoff bracket: Scores, schedule for semifinals and championship
Surging Ohio State will face Texas in the Cotton Bowl for a spot in the CFP title game
USA TODAY Sports’ Jordan Mendoza previews the 2025 Cotton Bowl between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns.
Sports Pulse
The College Football Playoff is down to four teams and two semifinal games, with the winners earning a spot in the national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, in a display of resilience, secured their place in the semifinals by defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 23-10 in a Sugar Bowl game that was delayed due to the tragic terror attack in New Orleans. Meanwhile, the Penn State Nittany Lions showed their mettle by throttling Boise State 31-14 in the Fiesta Bowl.
On the other side of the bracket, the Texas Longhorns triumphed over Arizona State in a thrilling double overtime game, winning the Peach Bowl 39-31. While the Ohio State Buckeyes pulled off the upset of the playoffs, dominating the previously the unbeaten Oregon Ducks 41-21 in the Rose Bowl.
The action now heads to the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinals. A look at the bracket and schedule:
When are the College Football Playoff semifinals?
The College Football Playoff semifinal games will be played on Jan. 9 and 10 (All times ET).
∎ Thursday, Jan. 9 — Orange Bowl
No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
∎ Friday, Jan. 10 — Cotton Bowl
No. 5 Texas vs. No. 8 Ohio State, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
When is College Football Playoff national championship?
- Date: Monday, Jan. 20
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
College Football Playoff quarterfinals
Tuesday, Dec. 31
Wednesday, Jan. 1
Thursday, Jan. 2
College Football Playoff first round
Friday, Dec. 20
Saturday, Dec. 21
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