How to Use a Printable College Football Playoff Bracket to Make Your CFP Picks

• The 2024 College Football Playoff has expanded to 12 teams, transforming the championship landscape
• First-round games begin December 20-21, with the National Championship set for January 20, 2025
• Download and print your 2024 CFP bracket to track all the action from the first round through the title game

The wait is over! The College Football Playoff Committee has revealed its historic first 12-team field for the 2024-25 playoff. Join the excitement by downloading SBD’s printable 2024 College Football Playoff Bracket.

Below, you’ll find details on the new playoff format, seeding structure, key dates to remember, and potential upset alerts as we enter this new era of college football.

Click on the image above to open and download a PDF of the printable bracket.

The 12-team tournament kicks off with first-round games at campus sites on December 20-21. The top four seeds receive first-round byes, while seeds 5-12 battle it out in the opening weekend.

How Does the 12-Team Playoff Work?

The expanded playoff revolutionizes college football’s postseason with home-field advantage, conference champion priority, and those coveted first-round byes all playing crucial roles in crowning a champion.

Five conference champions earn automatic bids, with the top four receiving first-round byes. Seven at-large spots go to the next highest-ranked teams, creating the most inclusive playoff field in FBS history.

2024-25 College Football Playoff Schedule

Seeds 5-8 host first-round games on campus, bringing playoff football to college stadiums for the first time. Winners advance to the quarterfinals at traditional bowl sites, maintaining the sport’s most cherished postseason traditions.

First-Round Matchups to Watch

The inaugural playoff delivers four can’t-miss games at some of college football’s most iconic venues:

No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame (Dec. 20, 8:00 PM ET, ABC/ESPN) –

Friday night lights in South Bend kick off the expanded playoff era. The Fighting Irish get home field advantage, but keep an eye on those December temperatures – this could be a classic cold-weather slugfest.

No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State (Dec. 21, 12:00 PM ET, TNT/Max) –

The Mustangs snuck in over Alabama and now face what could be a White Out atmosphere at Beaver Stadium. SMU’s high-powered offense meets its biggest test yet.

No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas (Dec. 21, 4:00 PM ET, TNT/Max) –

DKR will be electric as the Longhorns host their first-ever playoff game. Texas aims to prove the committee right after some controversy about their selection.

No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State (Dec. 21, 8:00 PM ET, ABC/ESPN) –

Prime time in the Horseshoe features two proud programs looking to make a statement. The Vols’ tempo vs. the Buckeyes’ physicality could be the matchup of the weekend.

The Path Through the Quarterfinals

Winners from the first round face a quick turnaround into these quarterfinal matchups:

• Fiesta Bowl: SMU/Penn State winner vs. No. 3 Boise State
• Peach Bowl: Clemson/Texas winner vs. No. 4 Arizona State
• Rose Bowl: Tennessee/Ohio State winner vs. No. 1 Oregon
• Sugar Bowl: Indiana/Notre Dame winner vs. No. 2 Georgia

Looking for Betting Advice?

With first-round games at campus sites, this isn’t your typical bowl season handicapping. Here’s what the sharp money should be watching:

Weather Warriors (UNDER Alert) – Bundle up if you’re heading to South Bend or Happy Valley. The forecast calls for temperatures in the low 20s with a chance of snow at both venues. These conditions scream UNDER, especially in South Bend where both teams bring top-20 defenses to the party.
Road Dogs with Bite – Indiana (+7.5) looks juicy against Notre Dame. The Hoosiers’ top-ranked offensive success rate should help them keep pace, even in hostile territory. Tennessee (+7.5) also deserves a long look – that tempo could give Ohio State fits, especially with the Buckeyes breaking in new defensive starters.

Home Field Heroes – Penn State (-8.5) should feast on SMU’s suspect run defense. The Mustangs haven’t faced an atmosphere like a White Out at Beaver Stadium all year, and it shows in their road splits.

The College Football Playoff (CFP) is one of the most exciting times of the year for college football fans. With the top four teams in the country competing for a shot at the national championship, there is no shortage of drama and excitement. One way to enhance your CFP experience is by using a printable bracket to make your picks and track the progress of the tournament.

Using a printable CFP bracket is a simple and effective way to keep track of the games and make your predictions for each round. Here are some tips on how to use a printable college football playoff bracket to make your CFP picks:

1. Find a printable bracket: The first step is to find a printable CFP bracket online. There are many websites that offer free printable brackets that you can download and print out. Look for a bracket that includes all four teams in the playoff, as well as the dates and times of each game.

2. Fill in your picks: Once you have your bracket printed out, it’s time to start making your picks. Fill in the bracket with your predictions for each game, starting with the semifinal matchups and ending with the national championship game. Consider factors such as team records, rankings, and matchups when making your picks.

3. Keep track of the games: As the CFP games are played, be sure to keep track of the results and update your bracket accordingly. Cross out the teams that are eliminated and advance the winners to the next round. This will help you stay organized and see how your picks are faring as the tournament progresses.

4. Compare your picks: Once the CFP is over and a national champion is crowned, compare your bracket to the actual results. See how many of your picks were correct and how well you did in predicting the outcome of each game. This can be a fun way to test your college football knowledge and see how well you stack up against other fans.

Using a printable college football playoff bracket to make your CFP picks can add an extra layer of excitement to the tournament. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking to have some fun with friends, filling out a bracket and making your predictions can make watching the games even more enjoyable. So grab a printable bracket, make your picks, and get ready for some thrilling college football action!