As the 2025 College Football Playoffs Rapidly Approach, we outline the history of the CFP and provide insight on teams seeking their first CFP appearance

Prior to the arrival of an expanded field of 12 teams in 2024, the College Football Playoffs were a distant dream for most programs.  With a larger field comes more opportunity for programs seeking to gain admittance to the college game's upper tier of postseason play.  The 2025 season has seen several programs zoom up the national polls and are now on the cusp of gaining their first CFP bid.   Below, we'll provide a brief history of the CFP and feature teams that could be playoff bound in 2025.

A Quick History of the College Football Playoff

To understand why the new format is such a game-changer, it’s important to look back at how the playoff system evolved. The journey from the BCS era to today's expanded bracket reveals a constant push for a fairer and more exciting championship structure.

When the CFP First Began

The College Football Playoff (CFP) was established in 2014, replacing the controversial Bowl Championship Series (BCS) system. The BCS relied on a combination of polls and computer rankings to select the top two teams for a single national championship game. The CFP was designed to create a more definitive process by having the top four teams compete in a single-elimination tournament, finally crowning a true national champion on the field.

The Four-Team Era (2014–2023)

For its first decade, the CFP featured a four-team bracket. While it was an improvement over the BCS, the format was dominated by a small circle of elite programs. Teams like Nick Saban's Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia, and Oklahoma became frequent participants, leaving little room for others. This created a glass ceiling for many deserving teams that put together fantastic seasons but were left on the outside looking in. Strong campaigns from emerging programs often fell just short of a playoff berth, fueling debates about the system's exclusivity.

The Expanded 12-Team Format Begins (2024–Present)

The move to a 12-team playoff marks the most significant change in the sport’s modern history. This expansion was driven by a desire to create a more inclusive and compelling postseason.

Why the CFP Expanded

The push for expansion grew from several key factors. There was a widespread demand for a fairer system that provided more teams with a clear path to the championship. Fans and administrators wanted to ensure that conference champions were rewarded with automatic bids, recognizing the accomplishment of winning a competitive league. Ultimately, the expansion was about granting broader access to rising programs that were consistently competitive but excluded by the four-team structure.

Additional TV revenue was a major factor as well with the CFP and ESPN reaching a six-year deal that put 1.3 billion dollars in the bank for college football programs.

How the 12-Team Playoff Works

The new format is designed to be more inclusive. It guarantees automatic bids to the highest-ranked conference champions, ensuring that winning a conference title has a direct impact on national championship contention. The remaining spots are filled by at-large selections, given to the next highest-ranked teams. Another exciting change is that first-round games will be hosted on college campuses, bringing the thrill of playoff football directly to fans and creating electric home-field environments. This structure significantly benefits teams from major conferences like the SEC, Big 12, and ACC, as well as strong independent programs.

Why Expansion Matters

The 12-team format changes the landscape of college football for the better. It provides more national exposure for a wider range of teams and creates more high-stakes, bowl-game-style matchups for fans to enjoy. Most importantly, it opens the door for breakout teams that were previously boxed out, making the regular season more meaningful for more programs. The 2024 CFP allowed schools such as Arizona State, SMU, Tennessee, Boise State and Penn State to become playoff bound for the first time.

Why 2025 Is the Perfect Year for New Teams To Break Through

The 2025 season is shaping up to be a landmark year for new contenders. A perfect storm of factors has created an environment where several programs have a legitimate chance to make their first playoff appearance. Increased parity across the sport means that more teams are capable of competing at a high level. Conference realignments have shifted the balance of power, creating new opportunities for teams to rise. Many programs also benefit from returning star quarterbacks and revamped coaching staffs, providing the leadership and stability needed for a championship run. With the expanded CFP format, these teams finally have a clear path to the postseason.

Teams Poised To Make Their First College Football Playoff Appearance in 2025

With the playoff field growing, several programs are ready to crash the party. Here are the top teams looking to make their CFP debut in 2025.

Ole Miss Rebels

Under Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss has built a consistently explosive offense and has been recruiting at a high level. With multiple winning seasons and major bowl appearances under their belt, the Rebels have established themselves as a formidable SEC contender. An improved defense to complement their dynamic offense makes them a balanced threat. The expanded playoff format provides a clear opportunity for a program that has been knocking on the door. The Rebels have been led by QB Trinidad Chambliss who stepped in for an injured Austin Simmons early in the 2025 campaign. Chambliss has led Ole Miss with his dual-threat skills and ability to protect the football.

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Texas Tech Red Raiders

The Red Raiders are building serious momentum in the wide-open Big 12. With a passionate fan base and upgraded facilities, the program has the resources and support to make a run. The competitive depth of the conference means that a strong season could easily translate into a playoff berth, making Texas Tech a team to watch in 2025.

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BYU Cougars

Now competing in the Big 12, BYU has greater access to the postseason than ever before. The program boasts a rich tradition, including a 1984 national championship, and has a history of producing strong quarterbacks. With a dedicated fan base and a proven ability to compete on a national stage, the Cougars are well-positioned to take advantage of the expanded format. BYU is led by QB Bear Bachmeier who has been a leader through the air and ground. Bachmeier is a freshman from Murrieta, CA. The Cougars most impressive win of the 2025 campaign is a 24-21 win over Utah.

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Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M consistently recruits in the national top 10, amassing a roster filled with elite talent. Competing in the SEC provides a strong strength of schedule, which is a major factor for the selection committee. With new leadership and renewed momentum from the coaching staff, the Aggies have the potential to finally translate their recruiting success into a playoff appearance.

Sophomore QB Marcel Reed has been a driving force for the Aggies with multiple TD passes in numerous games. Key wins for Texas A&M include wins over Notre Dame, LSU and Missouri.

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Virginia Cavaliers

The ACC’s landscape provides an opportunity for a team like Virginia to make a surprise run. With significant program improvements in recent years and a focus on strong defensive play, the Cavaliers could sneak into the 12-team field. If they can put together a breakout season, they have the potential to be a dark horse contender.

UVA's 2025 season has included thrilling moments with the Cavaliers having played in three overtime games. Not only did Virginia will all three of those games, but one of those victories included a win over No. 8 ranked FSU.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Georgia Tech is a program on the rise, thanks to big recruiting wins and a steadily improving offense. Their ACC schedule, while challenging, is more manageable than those in the SEC or Big Ten, giving them a more accessible path to the CFP. With their upward trend, the Yellow Jackets could be a surprise team in the 2025 playoff race.

QB Haynes King paces the Georgia Tech offensive attack. The senior from longview, Tx leads the team in passing and rushing.

Utah Utes

Utah has been one of the strongest programs in the country to have never made the CFP. With multiple Pac-12 titles and consistent top-10 finishes, the Utes have proven they can compete at an elite level. Known for their dominant defenses and exceptional coaching under Kyle Whittingham, Utah enters a new conference landscape with even more opportunities to finally break through.

Junior QB Devon Dampier has been a sparkplug for the Utes offense as the passing leader and one of the top rushers. Dampier has led Utah to wins over No. 21 Arizona State and No. 17 Cincinnati.