After a tumultuous conclusion to the regular season in college football, the matchups for the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff are officially here. Reaching this point took over a century, and there are discussions about potential future expansions for the playoff format.

This is the moment to see if the College Football Playoff Committee made the right choices. The first round will be contested on Friday and Saturday at campus venues before the action moves to bowl games for the quarterfinals and semifinals.

There are several questions on everyone’s mind heading into the games: How will southern teams handle the expected colder temperatures this weekend? Have sports bettors welcomed the expanded array of wagering opportunities? Will the break for the top four seeds serve as an advantage or disadvantage? And how effectively have coaches been able to manage recruiting activities amidst the early signing period and the influx of players into the transfer portal?

Here’s what to look out for:

**Matchups and Game Times**

A total of 11 games are scheduled between December 20 and January 20, all set to be broadcast nationally. Here are the first-round games (all times in EST):

– **No. 10 seed Indiana (11-1) vs. No. 7 seed Notre Dame (11-1)**, Dec. 20, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
**BetMGM Line**: Notre Dame favored by 7.
Indiana and Notre Dame are separated by 200 miles and will meet for the first time since 1991. Indiana has reached 11 victories for the first time in its program history and is coming off a stellar season, while Notre Dame is on a winning streak of ten games since its previous upset loss. This matchup is of particular interest to fans with ties to both programs.
**The winner**: Moves on to the Sugar Bowl to face No. 2 seed Georgia (Jan. 1, 8:45 p.m., ESPN).

– **No. 11 seed SMU (11-2) vs. No. 6 seed Penn State (11-2)**, Dec. 21, noon (TNT/Max)
**BetMGM Line**: Penn State favored by 8.5.
SMU gained the final at-large berth after a narrow defeat to Clemson in the ACC championship game. This marks Penn State’s first appearance in playoff history. Both teams are eager to validate their successful seasons with a significant victory.
**The winner**: Advances to the Fiesta Bowl to take on No. 3 seed Boise State (Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., ESPN).

– **No. 12 seed Clemson (10-3) vs. No. 5 seed Texas (11-2)**, Dec. 21, 4 p.m. (TNT/Max)
**BetMGM Line**: Texas favored by 12.
This game features the first-ever meeting between these teams. Clemson’s entry into the ACC title game came after some struggles, but they ultimately secured a place in the playoff by defeating SMU. Texas has faced its only losses against Georgia this season.
**The winner**: Moves on to the Peach Bowl to play No. 4 seed Arizona State (Jan. 1, 1 p.m., ESPN).

– **No. 9 seed Tennessee (10-2) vs. No. 8 seed Ohio State (11-2)**, Dec. 21, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)
**BetMGM Line**: Ohio State favored by 7.5.
This is a rematch of the Citrus Bowl in 1996, a game won by Tennessee. Ohio State boasts the nation’s top-ranked total defense, while Tennessee ranks fourth, making this matchup intriguing on both sides. Star running back Dylan Sampson from Tennessee is a notable player, and the Volunteers are feeling confident. Meanwhile, Ohio State hopes to avenge past defeats.
**The winner**: Advances to the Rose Bowl to play No. 1 seed Oregon (Jan. 1, 5 p.m., ESPN).

**Favorites to Win**

As of this week, the top-seeded Oregon and Texas teams are each listed with odds of 7-2 to win the national title, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Following closely are Georgia and Ohio State at 5-1.

Here are the other odds: Penn State (25-4), Notre Dame (8-1), Tennessee (25-1), Indiana and SMU (40-1), as well as Clemson and Arizona State (50-1) and Boise State (60-1).

**Understanding the Playoffs**

A 13-member committee has worked over the last six weeks to evaluate teams and set this playoff bracket on December 8. The five highest-rated conference champions were guaranteed spots in the playoffs regardless of their overall rankings. Although Clemson is ranked 16th overall, it received the 12th and final seed as the fifth-highest ranked champion from a conference. The top four seeds are given a week off, securing automatic advancement to the quarterfinals.

The College Football Playoff started with a four-team system back in January 2015. This year marks the first expansion to 12 teams, and discussions about potentially further enlarging the playoff format may occur, possibly starting in 2026.

**Financial Implications**

There is substantial money involved, approximately $115 million is at stake throughout the playoff series. Each conference receives $4 million per team that qualifies for the final 12, alongside an additional $4 million for teams reaching the quarterfinals. Therefore, teams earning byes add $8 million to their respective conferences before even stepping onto the field.

Advancing to the semifinals brings an additional $6 million to the conference, followed by another $6 million for teams making it into the national final. Distribution of these funds varies by conference, and teams that qualify for the playoffs also receive a $300,000 stipend if they meet academic eligibility standards. Teams involved in the playoffs are allocated $3 million to cover expenses for each phase of the competition.