College Football Playoff live rankings: Updated 12-team bracket revealed in second CFP poll of 2025

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• College Football Playoff rankings
• College Football Playoff bracket
• College Football Playoff predictions
• How College Football Playoff format works
• College Football Playoff rankings release schedule

College football fans across the country will be glued to their screens Tuesday evening for the release of the second College Football Playoff poll.

Nothing is guaranteed on the gridiron, but a few trends have emerged following a relatively steady weekend of games. Ohio State remained undefeated and is expected to once again occupy the top spot in the rankings.

Indiana also likely holds a high position, though its victory came under more precarious circumstances. The Hoosiers appeared poised for heartbreak against Penn State, but Fernando Mendoza delivered a last-second touchdown to secure the win.

Texas A&M recorded a three-score victory over SEC opponent Missouri.

Barring any surprises, these three teams should remain at the top of the rankings, though their order could shift.

The rest of the poll is wide open, with uncertainty surrounding the bracket ahead of another weekend of dramatic matchups.

AllSportsPeople is tracking the second CFP bracket reveal of the 2025 season, including the committee’s rankings of the top 25 teams and a refreshed projected bracket.

STREAM: Watch the second CFP rankings show live with Fubo (free trial)

College Football Playoff rankings 2025

Who are the top 12 teams in second CFP bracket poll?

This section will be updated upon the conclusion of the latest CFP bracket reveal.

MORE: What are BYU's CFP chances after loss to Texas Tech?

First four teams out

This section will be updated upon the conclusion of the latest CFP bracket reveal.

MORE: Could Mike Elko's 9-0 Aggies actually run the table?

Rest of the top 25

This section will be updated upon the conclusion of the latest CFP bracket reveal.

College Football Playoff bracket 2025

This section will be updated upon the conclusion of the latest CFP bracket reveal.

MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NEWS:

• Explaining the CFP bracket format for 2026
• Comparing every CFP ranking from 2014 to final Top 25
• Breaking down Group of 5 playoff odds: Who will get the 12 seed?

How College Football Playoff format works in 2025

The 12-team CFP format popularized in 2024 returns to the fore in 2025. However, there are some differences to this year's bracket.

Automatic bids are given to the top five highest-ranked conference champions. In a change from 2024 though, the four highest-ranked teams will get the top four seeds and the first-round bye, regardless of whether or not they won their conference. There are seven at-large bids available for non-conference champs.

While the top four seeds get the bye, seeds 5-12 will play in the first round. 

Here's a look at how the College Football Playoff seeding will play out:

First round

• No. 1 team (bye)
• No. 2 team (bye)
• No. 3 team (bye)
• No. 4 team (bye)
• No. 12 team at No. 5 team
• No. 11 team at No. 6 team
• No. 10 team at No. 7 team
• No. 9 team at No. 8 team

Quarterfinals

• No. 1 team vs. No. 8/9 team
• No. 2 team vs. No. 7/10 team
• No. 3 team vs. No. 6/11 team
• No. 4 team vs. No. 5/12 team

College Football Playoff predictions

Here are AllSportsPeople' first CFP bracket projections for Week 12, according to Bill Bender:

MORE: LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier benched in loss to Alabama

College Football Playoff rankings release schedule 2025

A weekly CFP ranking reveal show will be available to watch on ESPN every Tuesday until Sunday, Dec. 7 — Selection Day. The time for the show will vary by week. The schedule is listed below.