The road to the national championship is in full swing, and the 2024-25 College Football Playoff bracket has delivered nothing short of fireworks. The field of 12 was locked in back on December 8, and boy, have we been spoiled with thrilling matchups.
The stage is set for an epic showdown in the Cotton Bowl, with Texas and Ohio State vying for a ticket to the big dance against Notre Dame. With today’s best bets you can be part of the match on another level. You can come every day to see Cotton Bowl new picks and bets best recommended by AI. Let’s go through some steps that prequel Cotton Bowl and then you can decide on your picks, shall we?
The first round of games kicked off on December 20 and 21, with plenty of drama to go around. Notre Dame handled Indiana with a 27-17 victory, silencing critics who doubted their playoff credentials. Meanwhile, Penn State steamrolled SMU 38-10, proving they meant business. Over in Texas, the Longhorns took down Clemson 38-24, and Ohio State crushed Tennessee 42-17, giving us a glimpse of their explosive potential.
The quarterfinals brought more fireworks as teams punched their tickets to the semis. Notre Dame, the Cinderella story of this playoff, toppled Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, 23-10. Meanwhile, Penn State proved too much for Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, handing the Broncos a 31-14 defeat. In the Peach Bowl, Texas outlasted Arizona State in a thrilling double-overtime clash, 39-31. And let’s not forget the Rose Bowl, where Ohio State stunned top-seeded Oregon with a dominant 41-21 performance, sending shockwaves through the playoff landscape.
The College Football Playoff committee’s ranking system added its own twist to the drama. While the top four seeds are reserved for the highest-ranked conference champions, the placement of teams like Boise State and Arizona State raised eyebrows. Boise State, despite being ranked ninth, earned a coveted bye due to its status as the third-highest conference champ, while Arizona State, seeded fourth, jumped over Clemson to grab the final bye spot. This structure kept fans debating long after the bracket was unveiled, showcasing the unique blend of merit and intrigue that makes the playoff system so captivating.
Fast-forward to January 9, and the Orange Bowl delivered a nail-biter as Notre Dame edged out Penn State 27-24, earning their spot in the championship. With just one semifinal left, all eyes turned to the Cotton Bowl on January 10, where Texas faced Ohio State. The stakes couldn’t have been higher: the winner would battle Notre Dame for the crown on January 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
This playoff journey hasn’t just been about wins and losses—it’s a testament to the thrill of college football. The bracket format ensured that conference champions got their due, while the wild cards kept things unpredictable. Oregon, Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State all earned byes as the top-ranked conference champs, but the underdogs have proven they belong. Notre Dame’s run, in particular, has captivated fans, showing that rankings don’t tell the whole story.
From the first kickoff to the Cotton Bowl clash, this playoff has delivered unforgettable moments. And with one game left to crown a champion, the excitement is far from over. Who will hoist the trophy? All we can do is grab the popcorn and enjoy the ride.
