Playoff Center Dec 27, 2025

The Elite Eight: CFP Quarterfinals Set for New Year's

The first round provided drama, upsets, and blowouts. Now, the top four seeds enter the fray. Here is the official schedule for the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinals.

The bracket has held form in some places and broken in others. With first-round victories by Alabama, Miami, Ole Miss, and Oregon, the stage is set for a New Year's spectacle.

Quarterfinal Schedule

December 31, 2025 (New Year's Eve)

Goodyear Cotton Bowl 7:30 PM ET | ESPN
#10 Miami (FL)
vs
#2 Ohio State

January 1, 2026 (New Year's Day)

Capital One Orange Bowl 12:00 PM ET | ESPN
#5 Oregon
vs
#4 Texas Tech
Rose Bowl Game 2:00 PM ET | ESPN
#9 Alabama
vs
#1 Indiana
Allstate Sugar Bowl 6:00 PM ET | ESPN
#6 Ole Miss
vs
#3 Georgia

Quick Thoughts

Alabama's Path: To reach the National Championship, the Tide likely have to go through #1 Indiana and then potentially the winner of Oregon/Texas Tech. It's a daunting path, but avoiding Georgia until a potential title game rematch is a small mercy.

SEC Dominance: Three SEC teams (Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss) remain in the final eight, the most of any conference.

Iron Bowl History Staff

Documenting the Rivalry 365 Days a Year