Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama defensive lineman James Smith (23) and Alabama defensive lineman Jordan Renaud (11) combine to bring down Georgia running back Nate Frazier (3) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News

It all comes down to this — or, rather, these.

Following the completion of four conference championship games on Friday, Dec. 5 (most notably the American and Sun Belt championships) the College Football Playoff selection committee has precious few data points remaining to inform the final top 25 and 12-team bracket.

All that remain are the MAC and Power Four championship games.

The bracket has already been partially set with the completion of the American championship on Dec. 5, with No. 20 Tulane defeating No. 24 North Texas 34-21. The Green Wave are set up for no worse than the No. 12 seed.

James Madison also handled its business with a 31-14 win vs. Troy in the Sun Belt title game, though Bob Chesney and Co. now need unranked Duke to upset No. 17 Virginia to potentially sneak in as the fifth highest-ranked conference championship.

Curiously, the Big Ten championship — which features the top two teams in the country in No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana — has the least impact on the final CFP bracket. The Buckeyes and Hoosiers are both locks for the CFP, and the only thing on the line in the game is a trophy and seeding (to say nothing of pride and bragging rights).

In the SEC, No. 9 Alabama will look to beat No. 3 Georgia a second time this season — or at least play the Bulldogs close — to avoid being ousted from the bracket from behind. In the Big 12, No. 11 BYU hopes to exact revenge vs. No. 4 Texas Tech and steal a bid from either the Crimson Tide or No. 10 Notre Dame, the latter of whom is idle.

Then there's the ACC, which could throw the whole bracket into disarray if unranked Duke upsets No. 17 Virginia in the title game. That would open the door for James Madison to make it in as the No. 12 seed of the 2025-26 bracket, marking the first time two Group of Five teams have made the playoff.

Through it all, USA TODAY Sports will be providing live score updates and bracket projections. Follow along:

College Football Playoff conference championships live scoreboard

Here's a look at scores and results from top-25 teams in action during conference championship, according to the latest CFP rankings:

Games listed in order of CFP rankings. All times Eastern.

  • 1. Ohio State: vs. No. 2 Indiana (Big Ten) | 8 p.m. | Fox
  • 2. Indiana: vs. No. 1 Ohio State (Big Ten) | 8 p.m. | Fox
  • 3. Georgia: leads No. 9 Alabama 14-0 (SEC)
  • 4. Texas Tech: beat No. 11 BYU 34-7 (Big 12)
  • 9. Alabama: trails No. 3 Georgia 14-0 (SEC)
  • 11. BYU: lost 34-7 to No. 4 Texas Tech (Big 12)
  • 17. Virginia: vs. Duke (ACC) | 8 p.m. | ABC
  • 20. Tulane: beat No. 24 North Texas 34-21 (American)
  • 24. North Texas: lost 34-21 to No. 20 Tulane (American)
  • 25. James Madison: beat Troy 31-14 (Sun Belt)

CFP bracket projections

Here's a projection of the final 12-team bracket throughout conference championship weekend:

Teams that are bolded have been moved up or down projected CFP bracket rankings

  1. Ohio State (12-0) *
  2. Indiana (12-0)
  3. Georgia (11-1) *
  4. Texas Tech (12-1) *
  5. Oregon (11-1)
  6. Mississippi (11-1)
  7. Texas A&M (11-1)
  8. Oklahoma (10-2)
  9. Alabama (10-2)
  10. Notre Dame (10-2)
  11. Virginia (10-2) *
  12. Tulane (11-2) *

* Indicates one of five highest-ranked conference champions

GEORGIA LEADS 14-0 AT HALFTIME: Heroics may be needed for Alabama to come back in this one. The Crimson Tide are down 14-0 and have failed to score in their first four drives for the first time all season. The defense has done its part to slow the bleeding but Ty Simpson and Co. need to start scoring points if they want any hope of getting back in this one.

GEORGIA LENGTHENS LEAD OVER ALABAMA: Alabama's in danger of getting run out of Mercedes-Benz Stadium at this rate. Following an interception by Ty Simpson, Georgia takes the ball down the field and scores again to go up 14-0. The Crimson Tide might not be out of the CFP with a close loss, but that might change if they're blown out.

BULLDOGS STRIKE FIRST IN SEC CHAMPIONSHIP: And just like that, the Bulldogs open with an easy, walk-in touchdown after the special teams unit clips an Alabama punt.

GEORGIA OPENS SEC CHAMPIONSHIP ON OFFENSE: Alabama wins the toss and defers to the second half. It'll be Gunner Stockton and the Georgia offense up first in Atlanta.

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP 30 MINUTES FROM KICKOFF: No. 3 Georgia and No. 9 Alabama are 30 minutes away from rematching in the SEC championship game. The Bulldogs are a virtual lock to make the CFP regardless of the outcome, but Alabama will hope to win — or, failing that, play competitively — vs. Georgia in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Would the CFP selection committee drop Alabama from the bracket if they lose? Notre Dame and Miami are watching the game, hoping the Bulldogs will force the issue.

TEXAS TECH WINS BIG 12 CHAMPION, SECURES CFP BID: An absolutely dominant effort by Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship game. The Red Raiders demolished BYU 34-7, securing a CFP bid and, likely, a first-round bye. The Red Raiders will enter the playoff as Big 12 champions with a 12-1 record.

TEXAS TECH ADDS ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN: Morton connects with Coy Eakin for a 28-yard touchdown, their second of the day. It's 31-7 Tech with just half a quarter to play.

TEXAS TECH DEFENSE DOMINATING BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP: Texas Tech's defense has been utterly dominant in the second half of this game. They've held the BYU offense to, in order, a missed 46-yard field goal attempt; an interception; punt; interception; and turnover on downs.

MORE TURNOVERS LEAD TO MORE POINTS: Another Bear Bachmeier turnover (this one a fumble) leads to another field goal for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are clamping down on BYU.

TEXAS TECH TURNS TURNOVER INTO POINTS: Texas Tech is starting to put the squeeze on BYU. Following the Red Raiders' failed fourth-down attempt, Texas Tech linebacker Ben Roberts intercepts Bear Bachmeier and returns it 9 yards to the Cougar 11-yard line. One play later, running back Cameron Dickey takes it all the way for the score. One 2-point conversion later and the Red Raiders' lead has swelled to 21-7.

TEXAS TECH FAILS TO CONVERT FOURTH DOWN: Now it's Texas Tech's turn to roll the dice. Facing fourth-and-2 from the BYU 14-yard line, Joey McGuire opts to go for it in hopes of extending the lead with a touchdown. Red Raiders fans might grumble at a no-call on a potential defensive pass interference the end zone, but Morton's pass falls harmlessly to the turf. A field goal would have made it a two-possession game for Tech.

THIRD QUARTER BEGINS IN BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP: Here's the start of the third quarter in the Big 12 title game, with BYU starting on offense. The Cougars desperately need a score, or at least to show they can move the ball, after failing to cross midfield after their opening drive.

BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP TRENDS: According to the ABC broadcast of the Big 12 championship game, the team leading at halftime has won the last five conference title games. Texas Tech leads 13-7 with two quarters left to claim the Big 12 championship — and a playoff bid.

TEXAS TECH EXTENDS LEAD OVER BYU: With points seemingly coming at a premium, Texas Tech managed to extend its lead to 13-7 with 21 seconds left to play in the half off a 40-yard field goal from Stone Harrington.

SPECIAL TEAMS MISCUES IN BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP: Couple interesting special teams plays in the Big 12 championship game, as BYU opts to try a trick play on a punt attempt. It's poorly executed and gives Texas Tech the ball at its own 42-yard line. No harm no foul, however, as Texas Tech's 48-yard field goal sails wide left.

TEXAS TECH REGAINS LEAD VS. BYU: Texas Tech responds in a big way with a field goal and touchdown on consecutive drives after allowing BYU to take a 7-0 lead. The touchdown — a 33-yard connection between Behren Morten and Coy Eakin — gives the Red Raiders a 10-7 lead with 10:42 left in the first half.

BYU LEADS AFTER ONE QUARTER: Texas Tech's drive inside the BYU red zone stalls on third-and-goal, bring up a 22-yard field goal to start the second quarter.

BYU TAKES FIRST LEAD OVER TEXAS TECH THIS SEASON: Trouble brewing in the Big 12 championship? BYU caps a 14-play, 90-yard drive with a 10-yard rushing touchdown from running back LJ Martin to go up 7-0. It's the Cougars' first lead over Texas Tech this season, and the Red Raiders' first touchdown given up on an opening drive all year.

TEXAS TECH, BYU KICK OFF IN BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP: One of the more impactful games during conference championship weekend just kicked off at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. If BYU beats Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship, they Cougars will "steal" a bid in the final 12-team CFP bracket. Follow along for updates here.

CFP rankings after Week 14

Here's a look at the CFP top 25 after Week 14:

  1. Ohio State
  2. Indiana
  3. Georgia
  4. Texas Tech
  5. Oregon
  6. Ole Miss
  7. Texas A&M
  8. Oklahoma
  9. Alabama
  10. Notre Dame
  11. BYU
  12. Miami
  13. Texas
  14. Vanderbilt
  15. Utah
  16. Southern California
  17. Virginia
  18. Arizona
  19. Michigan
  20. Tulane
  21. Houston
  22. Georgia Tech
  23. Iowa
  24. North Texas
  25. James Madison

CFP Week 14 bracket

Here is what the CFP bracket would look like if the season concluded after Week 14:

  1. Ohio State *
  2. Indiana
  3. Georgia *
  4. Texas Tech *
  5. Oregon
  6. Ole Miss
  7. Texas A&M
  8. Oklahoma
  9. Alabama
  10. Notre Dame
  11. Virginia *
  12. Tulane *

* indicates one of five highest-ranked conference champions

First-round byes:

  • No. 1 Ohio State
  • No. 2 Indiana
  • No. 3 Georgia
  • No. 4 Texas Tech

First-round games:

  • No. 12 Tulane at No. 5 Oregon
  • No. 11 Virginia at No. 6 Ole Miss
  • No. 10 Notre Dame at No. 7 Texas A&M
  • No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma

CFP schedule 2025-26

CFP first round

  • Friday, Dec. 19
    • Game 1: 8 p.m. ET
  • Saturday, Dec. 20
    • Game 2: Noon ET
    • Game 3: 3:30 p.m. ET
    • Game 4: 7:30 p.m. ET

CFP quarterfinals

  • Wednesday, Dec. 31
    • Cotton Bowl: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Thursday, Jan. 1
    • Orange Bowl: Noon ET
    • Rose Bowl: 4 p.m. ET
    • Sugar Bowl: 8 p.m. ET

CFP semifinals

  • Thursday, Jan. 8
    • Fiesta Bowl: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Friday, Jan. 9
    • Peach Bowl: 7:30 p.m. ET

CFP championship game

  • Monday, Jan. 19
    • CFP championship: 7:30 p.m. ET

When is next CFP rankings reveal?

  • Date: Sunday, Dec. 7
  • Time: Noon ET

The final CFP rankings reveal will take place on Sunday, Dec. 7 at noon ET. The top 25 released by the selection committee — and the corresponding bracket — will be the final one of the season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CFP predictions: College Football Playoff live bracket projections for 12-team field

Reporting by Zac Al-Khateeb, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect