{"id":296697,"date":"2025-11-17T08:27:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T08:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/296697\/"},"modified":"2025-11-17T08:27:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T08:27:10","slug":"bowl-projections-espn-predicts-12-team-college-football-playoff-bracket-full-bowl-slate-after-week-12","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/296697\/","title":{"rendered":"Bowl Projections: ESPN predicts 12-team College Football Playoff bracket, full bowl slate after Week 12"},"content":{"rendered":"

With just two weekends remaining in the regular season, the 2025 College Football Playoff race is heating up as contenders and pretenders reveal their true colors during a pivotal Week 12. And after No. 4 Alabama<\/a> and No. 10 Texas<\/a> were both among seven Top 25 teams to lose this weekend, the projected 12-team Playoff field remains as uncertain as ever.<\/p>\n

The CFP\u2019s third of its six Top 25 rankings will be released Tuesday evening on ESPN. But, in the meantime,\u00a0ESPN\u00a0prognosticators\u00a0Kyle Bonagura\u00a0and\u00a0Mark Schlabach\u00a0have provided a projection of what the 2025 postseason could look like based on the first 12 weeks of the season.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind, this year\u2019s 12-team CFP bracket format does away with automatic first-round byes for conference champions, with the opening byes going to the Playoff\u2019s top four highest-ranked teams. That change aside, the first round will once again feature on-site home games for the highest-ranked teams numbered 5-8, just like last season. The first-round winners then advance to the quarterfinals, and subsequently to the semifinals, at previously-designated bowl sites.<\/p>\n

Bonagura:\u00a0No. 12\u00a0North Texas<\/a>\u00a0at No. 5 Texas Tech<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0No. 12 North Texas at No. 5\u00a0Texas Tech<\/p>\n

Following another weekend of chaos in the American Conference, the ESPN experts are in agreement with their projected Group of Five champion: No. 22 North Texas. This is despite the Mean Green not currently the highest-ranked Group of Five contender \u2014 that goes to No. 21 James Madison of the Sun Belt.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, as the 12th seed, North Texas would get the pleasure to taking on in-state foe and projected Big 12 champion Texas Tech, which has already beaten fellow conference contender BYU two weeks ago and is expected to do the same in Big 12 title game. <\/p>\n

\"ACC\"Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Bonagura:\u00a0No. 11\u00a0Georgia Tech<\/a>\u00a0at No. 6 Ole Miss<\/a>\u00a0
Schlabach:\u00a0No. 11 Virginia<\/a>\u00a0at No. 6\u00a0Oregon<\/a><\/p>\n

After agreeing on the Group of Five champion, the ESPN experts are split over their projected ACC champion and 11th seed. Bonagura is sticking with the one-loss Yellow Jackers after edging out Boston College last weewkend, while Schlabach expects the two-loss Cavaliers to win the league in Charlotte.<\/p>\n

Whoever wins the ACC and secures the 11th seed will play the third-ranked team out of either the Big Ten or the SEC, depending how the rest of the regular season plays out. Bonagura is projecting one-loss Ole Miss, will get the sixth seed, while Schlabach is more confident on a resurgent Oregon.<\/p>\n

Bonagura:\u00a0No. 10 Alabama<\/a>\u00a0at No. 7\u00a0Oregon
Schlabach:\u00a0No. 10\u00a0Alabama at No. 7\u00a0Ole Miss<\/p>\n

The Crimson Tide (8-2, 6-1 SEC) are expected to freefall down the CFP standings following Saturday\u2019s 23-21 home loss to Oklahoma. Alabama dropped to 10th in both the AP and Coaches polls on Sunday, and if the CFP follows suit, the Tide will go from potential first-round bye to hitting the road in Round 1. <\/p>\n

Bonagura projects that \u2018Bama will have to make the cross country trip to Eugene against seventh-seeded Oregon, while Schalabach thinks the road trip will stay within the SEC footprint in what amounts to an All-SEC battle between the league\u2019s two Playoff teams that didn\u2019t make it to Atlanta.<\/p>\n

Bonagura:\u00a0No. 9 Oklahoma<\/a>\u00a0at No. 8 Notre Dame<\/a>\u00a0
Schlabach:\u00a0No. 9\u00a0Notre Dame\u00a0at No. 8\u00a0Oklahoma<\/p>\n

As mentioned, the two-loss Sooners (9-2, 4-2 SEC) effectively punched their Playoff ticket with Saturday\u2019s road upset in Tuscaloosa, their second straight Top 25 win in league play. And while Oklahoma must still avoid losing either of its final two regular-season games, a Playoff bid appears in sight.<\/p>\n

Notre Dame (8-2) is another two-loss contender destined for the Playoffs after winning eight straight since opening the season at 0-2. And with Syracuse and Stanford ahead, it\u2019s a near-certainty the Fighting Irish will once again make the 12-team field. The only question is if they host or hit the road in Round 1.<\/p>\n

CFP National Quarterfinal at Cotton Bowl<\/p>\n

\"CottonKevin Jairaj-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Bonagura:\u00a0No. 7\u00a0Oregon\u00a0vs. No. 2\u00a0Indiana<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0No. 7\u00a0Ole Miss vs. No. 2 Indiana<\/p>\n

Following Saturday\u2019s loss, neither ESPN expert is a believer in Alabama making it out of the first round. Instead both expect minimal first-round upsets, with Bonagura and Schlabach both projecting seventh-seeded Oregon or Ole Miss, respectively, will move on to face Big Ten runner-up Indiana.<\/p>\n

Bonagura, in fact, expects a second-straight Playoff with an All-Big Ten quarterfinal meeting, this time between the Ducks and Hoosiers, a rematch of their Oct. 11 meeting in Eugene that Indiana won 30-20. Schlabach, meanwhile, is looking forward to a Lane Kiffin vs. Curt Cignetti matchup in Dallas.<\/p>\n

CFP National Quarterfinal at Orange Bowl<\/p>\n

Bonagura:\u00a0No. 5\u00a0Texas Tech vs. No. 4. Georgia<\/a>\u00a0
Schlabach:\u00a0No. 5\u00a0Texas Tech\u00a0vs. No. 4 Georgia<\/p>\n

Both ESPN experts are projecting a very intriguing quarterfinal matchup between Big 12 champion Texas Tech and SEC runner-up Georgia in Miami. Bonagura even believes the Bulldogs and Red Raiders have shown themselves capable of winning the national championship if things play out in their favor.<\/p>\n

Schlabach, meanwhile, cited how Georgia appears to be \u201cpeaking at the right time\u201d on both sides of the ball, especially on defense, which sacked Texas QB three times in Saturday\u2019s 35-10 win in Sanford Stadium. Given the battled-tested nature of both teams, this Orange Bowl quarterfinal will be must-see TV.<\/p>\n

CFP National Quarterfinal at Rose Bowl<\/p>\n

Bonagura:\u00a0No. 8\u00a0Notre Dame\u00a0vs. No. 1\u00a0Ohio State<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0No. 9\u00a0Notre Dame\u00a0vs. No. 1\u00a0Ohio State<\/p>\n

More agreement from the ESPN prognosticators, who both decided to give the Granddaddy of them All a dream quarterfinal between two of the most famous brands in college football. The Irish have rebounded nicely since opening the season with back-to-back losses to Miami and Texas A&M.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Buckeyes begin their CFP championship defense in Pasadena after rolling through the regular season undefeated, which obviously suggests Ohio State finally exorcises its demons in The Game against rival Michigan to end the regular season. That would be OSU\u2019s 16th straight win.<\/p>\n

CFP National Quarterfinal at Sugar Bowl<\/p>\n

\"SugarJohn David Mercer-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Bonagura:\u00a0No. 6\u00a0Ole Miss\u00a0vs. No. 3\u00a0Texas A&M<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0No. 6 Oregon\u00a0vs. No. 3\u00a0Texas A&M<\/p>\n

In another made-for-TV game, this year\u2019s Sugar Bowl could be an explosive offensive affair featuring some of the most exciting players in the game right now. Bonagura projects an All-SEC quarterfinal between the Rebels and Aggies, which haven\u2019t played one another since 2023.<\/p>\n

Bonagura, on the other hand, pits SEC Champion Texas A&M against Oregon in a game that \u201cwould feature tow of the more dynamic quarterbacks in the FBS\u201d between the Aggies\u2019 Marcel Reed and the Ducks\u2019 Dante Moore, both explosive dual-threat sophomores.<\/p>\n

CFP National Semifinal at Fiesta Bowl<\/p>\n

Bonagura:\u00a0No. 5 Texas Tech\u00a0vs. No. 1\u00a0Ohio State
Schlabach:\u00a0No. 4\u00a0Georgia vs. No. 1\u00a0Ohio State<\/p>\n

Bonagura describes Big Ten champion Ohio State as \u201cthe clear favorite to win it all\u201d for the second consecutive season, but not before facing Big 12 champion Texas Tech in Arizona. This semifinal provides an interesting matchup between the Buckeye\u2019s electric offense vs. the Red Raiders\u2019 fierce defense.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Schlabach projects the Bulldogs escape with a hard-fought victory over Tech to set up a SEC vs. Big Ten showdown between college football\u2019s most recent national champions. Georgia \u2014 college football\u2019s last back-to-back champ \u2014 would have the chance to deny OSU of the same distinction. <\/p>\n

CFP National Semifinal at Peach Bowl<\/p>\n

Bonagura:\u00a0No. 3\u00a0Texas A&M\u00a0vs. No. 2\u00a0Indiana
Schlabach:\u00a0No. 3\u00a0Texas A&M\u00a0vs. No. 2\u00a0Indiana<\/p>\n

The second semifinal pits a pair of teams led by second-year head coaches that have transformed their programs into national powers in short order. Curt Cignetti has built a beast in Bloomington, with Indiana reaching 11 wins in back-to-back seasons (Cignetti also won 11 in 2023 at James Madison).<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Mike Elko has Texas A&M on the verge of its first undefeated season in three decades and on the precipce of winning the program\u2019s first-ever SEC championship. As evidenced by Saturday\u2019s school-record 28-0 second-half comeback vs. South Carolina, both the Aggies and Hoosiers are battle tested.<\/p>\n

CFP National Championship<\/p>\n

\"CollegeJan 19, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; The College Football Playoff National Championship trophy at a press conference at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Savannah Ballroom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Bonagura:\u00a0No. 2\u00a0Indiana\u00a0vs. No. 1\u00a0Ohio State
Schlabach:\u00a0No. 2\u00a0Indiana\u00a0vs. No. 1\u00a0Ohio State<\/p>\n

Despite some exciting semifinal matchups between the SEC\/Big 12 and Big Ten, both ESPN prognosticators don\u2019t diverge from their previous projections of an All-Big Ten national title game, providing the league its third-straight national champion regardless of who wins in Miami.<\/p>\n

Despite creating a rematch of the upcoming Big Ten title game, Bonagura and Schlabach remain confident the two most dominant teams through the first 12 weeks of the season will ultimately be there in the end, as the Big Ten once again dances of the grave of the SEC.<\/p>\n

ESPN\u2019s full 2025 bowl slate predictions<\/p>\n

Saturday, Dec. 13<\/p>\n

Cricket Celebration Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Noon, ABC
Bonagura:\u00a0Jackson State<\/a> vs. South Carolina State<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Jackson State vs. Delaware State<\/a><\/p>\n

LA Bowl
SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
9 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Arizona<\/a> vs. San Diego State<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Washington<\/a> vs. San Diego State<\/p>\n

Tuesday, Dec. 16<\/p>\n

IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl
Cramton Bowl (Montgomery, Alabama)
9 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Western Michigan<\/a> vs. East Carolina<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Jacksonville State<\/a> vs. Troy<\/a><\/p>\n

Wednesday, Dec. 17<\/p>\n

StaffDNA Cure Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
5 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Central Michigan<\/a> vs. Arkansas State<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Buffalo<\/a> vs. Old Dominion<\/a><\/p>\n

68 Ventures Bowl
Hancock Whitney Stadium (Mobile, Alabama)
8:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Coastal Carolina<\/a> vs. Buffalo
Schlabach:\u00a0Coastal Carolina vs. Central Michigan<\/p>\n

Friday, Dec. 19<\/p>\n

Myrtle Beach Bowl
Brooks Stadium (Conway, South Carolina)
Noon, ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Marshall<\/a> vs. Troy
Schlabach:\u00a0Marshall vs. East Carolina<\/p>\n

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
3:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Tulane<\/a> vs. NC State<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0UConn<\/a> vs. Florida State<\/a><\/p>\n

Monday, Dec. 22<\/p>\n

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Albertsons Stadium (Boise, Idaho)
2 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Toledo vs. UNLV<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Ohio<\/a> vs. UNLV<\/p>\n

Tuesday, Dec. 23<\/p>\n

Boca Raton Bowl
Flagler Credit Union Stadium (Boca Raton, Florida)
2 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Southern Miss<\/a> vs. Louisiana Tech<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Arkansas State vs. Miami<\/a> (Ohio)<\/p>\n

New Orleans Bowl
Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
5:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Western Kentucky<\/a> vs. Old Dominion
Schlabach:\u00a0Kennesaw State vs. Southern Miss<\/p>\n

Scooter\u2019s Coffee Frisco Bowl
Ford Center at The Star\u00a0(Frisco, Texas)
9 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0UTSA<\/a> vs. Hawai\u2019i<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0UTSA vs. Louisiana Tech<\/p>\n

Wednesday, Dec. 24<\/p>\n

Sheraton Hawai\u2019i Bowl
Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex (Honolulu)
8 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Boise State<\/a> vs. California<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Hawai\u2019i vs. California<\/p>\n

Friday, Dec. 26<\/p>\n

GameAbove Sports Bowl
Ford Field (Detroit)
1 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Rutgers<\/a> vs. Ohio
Schlabach:\u00a0Rutgers vs. Western Michigan<\/p>\n

Rate Bowl
Chase Field (Phoenix)
4:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0TCU<\/a> vs. Northwestern<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Baylor<\/a> vs. Northwestern<\/p>\n

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl
Gerald J. Ford Stadium (Dallas)
8 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Texas State<\/a> vs. Utah State<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Tulane vs. Boise State<\/p>\n

Saturday, Dec. 27<\/p>\n

Go Bowling Military Bowl
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland)
11 a.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Duke<\/a> vs. South Florida<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Wake Forest<\/a> vs. Navy<\/a><\/p>\n

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
Yankee Stadium (Bronx, New York)
Noon, ABC
Bonagura:\u00a0Pittsburgh<\/a> vs. Minnesota
Schlabach:\u00a0Louisville<\/a> vs. Illinois<\/a><\/p>\n

Wasabi Fenway Bowl
Fenway Park (Boston)
2:15 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Clemson<\/a> vs. Army<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Clemson vs. South Florida<\/p>\n

Pop-Tarts Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
3:30 p.m., ABC
Bonagura:\u00a0Miami<\/a> vs. Houston<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Georgia Tech<\/a> vs. BYU<\/a><\/p>\n

Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl
Arizona Stadium (Tucson, Arizona)
4:30 p.m., CW Network
Bonagura:\u00a0Miami (Ohio) vs. Fresno State<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Toledo vs. Fresno State<\/p>\n

Isleta New Mexico Bowl
University Stadium (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
5:45 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0New Mexico<\/a> vs. Washington State<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0New Mexico vs. Georgia Southern<\/p>\n

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl
EverBank Stadium (Jacksonville, Florida)
7:30 p.m. ABC
Bonagura:\u00a0Virginia<\/a> vs. LSU<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Miami vs. Texas<\/a><\/p>\n

Kinder\u2019s Texas Bowl
NRG Stadium (Houston)
9:15 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Cincinnati<\/a> vs. Kentucky<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Cincinnati vs. Kentucky<\/p>\n

Monday, Dec. 29<\/p>\n

JLab Birmingham Bowl
Protective Stadium (Birmingham, Alabama)
2 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Florida State<\/a> vs. James Madison<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0NC State vs. James Madison<\/p>\n

Tuesday, Dec. 30<\/p>\n

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
Independence Stadium (Shreveport, Louisiana)
2 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Baylor vs. Kennesaw State
Schlabach:\u00a0Kansas State vs. Western Kentucky<\/p>\n

Music City Bowl
Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
5:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Iowa<\/a> vs. Missouri<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Minnesota vs. LSU<\/p>\n

Valero Alamo Bowl
Alamodome (San Antonio)
9 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0BYU vs. USC<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Houston vs. USC<\/p>\n

Wednesday, Dec. 31<\/p>\n

ReliaQuest Bowl
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Noon, ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Illinois vs. Texas
Schlabach:\u00a0Iowa vs. Tennessee<\/a><\/p>\n

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
Sun Bowl Stadium (El Paso, Texas)
2 p.m., CBS
Bonagura:\u00a0Wake Forest vs. Arizona State
Schlabach:\u00a0Pittsburgh vs. Arizona<\/p>\n

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
3 p.m., ABC
Bonagura:\u00a0Michigan<\/a> vs. Vanderbilt<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Michigan vs. Vanderbilt<\/p>\n

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
3:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Nebraska<\/a> vs. Utah<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Nebraska vs. Utah<\/p>\n

Friday, Jan. 2<\/p>\n

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Amon G. Carter Stadium (Fort Worth, Texas)
1 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Kansas State vs. Navy
Schlabach:\u00a0TCU vs. Army<\/p>\n

AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (Memphis, Tennessee)
4:30 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Iowa State<\/a> vs. Memphis<\/a>
Schlabach:\u00a0Iowa State vs. Memphis<\/p>\n

Duke\u2019s Mayo Bowl
Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)
8 p.m., ESPN
Bonagura:\u00a0Louisville vs. Tennessee
Schlabach:\u00a0Duke vs. Missouri<\/p>\n

Holiday Bowl
Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego)
8 p.m., Fox
Bonagura:\u00a0SMU<\/a> vs. Washington
Schlabach:\u00a0SMU vs. Arizona State<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With just two weekends remaining in the regular season, the 2025 College Football Playoff race is heating up…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":296698,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[399,398,396,397,99],"class_list":{"0":"post-296697","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ncaa-football","8":"tag-football","9":"tag-ncaa","10":"tag-ncaa-football","11":"tag-ncaafootball","12":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296697","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=296697"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296697\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/296698"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=296697"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=296697"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=296697"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}