The Elite Eight: College Football Playoff Quarterfinals Bracket Set
Iron Bowl History Staff
News Desk
Following a thrilling opening round at campus sites, the 12-team College Football Playoff has been whittled down to the final eight. The action now shifts to the New Year's Six bowls. Here is the official schedule and matchup breakdown for the Quarterfinals.
Cotton Bowl Classic
📅 Dec 31, 2025 | 🏟️ AT&T Stadium
Orange Bowl
📅 Jan 1, 2026 | 🏟️ Hard Rock Stadium
Rose Bowl Game
📅 Jan 1, 2026 | 🏟️ Rose Bowl Stadium
Sugar Bowl
📅 Jan 1, 2026 | 🏟️ Caesars Superdome
Quick Analysis
SEC Dominance Continues
The SEC places three teams in the quarterfinals (Georgia, Alabama, Ole Miss), confirming its status as the premier conference. The enticing matchup between Ole Miss and Georgia in the Sugar Bowl guarantees at least one SEC team in the semifinals.
Big Ten's Strong Hand
The Big Ten holds the top two seeds with undefeated Indiana and one-loss Ohio State, plus Oregon. The conference is well-positioned to claim a spot in the National Championship game.
Cinderella Stories
Texas Tech (#4) and Indiana (#1) represent the fresh blood the expanded playoff promised. Both programs are in uncharted territory, looking to cap off magical seasons with a national title.