Sat Nov 30 16:20:00 UTC 2024: ## Expanded College Football Playoff Bracket Unveiled, Showing Surprises
**Atlanta, GA** – The College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee released its latest top 25 rankings on November 26th, providing a glimpse into a potential 12-team playoff bracket. While the final bracket, to be revealed December 8th, may differ, this snapshot reveals some unexpected entrants.
The new 12-team format, debuting in the 2024-25 season, grants automatic bids to the five highest-ranked conference champions. This resulted in some intriguing placements. Boise State, ranked 11th overall, earns a first-round bye as the fourth-highest-ranked champion. Similarly, Arizona State, ranked 14th, sneaks in as the fifth automatic qualifier, surpassing higher-ranked teams like Clemson and Alabama.
The four highest-ranked conference champions receive top seeds and byes, advancing directly to the quarterfinals. The remaining eight teams will compete in first-round games on December 20th and 21st at their respective campus sites. These matchups, based on the current rankings, are not yet specified.
Quarterfinal games will be played on December 31st and January 1st at the Fiesta Bowl, Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Sugar Bowl. Semifinals are scheduled for January 9th and 10th at the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl, with the national championship game taking place on January 20th at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Crucially, there will be no reseeding after the initial bracket is announced.
The committee’s next rankings will be released on December 3rd, offering a further update before the official bracket is finalized. The current projection highlights the complexities of the expanded playoff system and the potential for upsets based on conference championship outcomes.
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