College Football Playoff 2025: Notre Dame Fighting Irish NCAA Bowl Games 2024-2025

The 2024-2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) marks a historic moment in college football, as the playoff expands to 12 teams for the first time. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have once again earned their spot in the postseason, aiming for another successful bowl game appearance and, ultimately, a chance to compete for the CFP National Championship.

In this article, we will guide you through Notre Dame’s journey in the 2024-2025 College Football Playoff, providing you with detailed information about the games, schedule, and key moments in their path to success. Whether you’re a long-time Fighting Irish fan or a newcomer to college football, this comprehensive guide will help you stay informed throughout the postseason.

The 2024-2025 College Football Playoff: A New Era

How the 12-Team CFP Works

The 2024 season introduces a groundbreaking change to the College Football Playoff system: a 12-team format. This expansion significantly alters how teams are selected and the overall structure of the playoffs. The 12-team CFP will consist of:

• Six automatic bids for the highest-ranked conference champions.
• Six at-large selections for the best remaining teams based on rankings.

This expansion allows for more teams to compete for the championship, giving schools like Notre Dame a better chance at postseason glory. The first round of games will be held at higher-seeded schools, while the later rounds are played at predetermined neutral-site venues.

The introduction of this format promises a more dynamic and exciting postseason experience for fans and players alike. It also opens the door for schools to potentially make deep runs that previously may have been out of reach.

Notre Dame’s Path to the 2024-2025 CFP

Regular Season Performance

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish had an impressive 2024 regular season, battling hard in each game to secure their spot in the CFP. As the No. 7 seed in the playoff, Notre Dame will face No. 10 Indiana in the first round. The Fighting Irish had a strong performance in their regular-season games, with several key victories that solidified their position in the playoff rankings.

Key Wins and Losses

Notre Dame’s season was highlighted by crucial wins over top-tier teams, showcasing their strength on both sides of the ball. However, they also faced a few tough losses that tested their resilience. Despite these setbacks, their overall performance earned them a solid ranking in the CFP.

The First Round: Notre Dame vs. Indiana (December 20, 2024)

In the first round of the 2024-2025 College Football Playoff, the Fighting Irish will take on Indiana in a highly anticipated game on December 20, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. ET. This game will be broadcasted on ABC/ESPN, giving fans across the country the chance to watch the action live.

Key Matchup Analysis

• Notre Dame’s Strengths: With a balanced offense and a defense that has shown up when needed, Notre Dame will look to capitalize on their ability to control the game. The Irish have a powerful rushing attack, led by their dynamic running back, and a strong defensive line that will look to put pressure on Indiana’s quarterback.
• Indiana’s Challenge: As the underdogs, Indiana will need to rely on their defense and the playmaking ability of their quarterback to challenge Notre Dame. While they are a formidable opponent, they will face a tough task going up against a team with Notre Dame’s depth and talent.

The 2024-2025 College Football Playoff Schedule

The 2024-2025 CFP includes several exciting matchups, culminating in the CFP National Championship Game. Here is the full schedule for the 2024-2025 CFP:

First Round (Dec. 20-21, 2024)

• Friday, Dec. 20: No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame – 8:00 p.m. ET | ABC/ESPN
• Saturday, Dec. 21:
  • No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State – 12:00 p.m. ET | TNT/MAX
  • No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas – 4:00 p.m. ET | TNT/MAX
  • No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State – 8:00 p.m. ET | ABC/ESPN

Quarterfinals (Dec. 31, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025)

• Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Boise State vs. No. 6 Penn State/No. 11 SMU winner – 7:30 p.m. ET Tuesday, Dec. 31 | ESPN
• Peach Bowl: No. 4 Arizona State vs. No. 5 Texas/No. 12 Clemson winner – 1:00 p.m. ET Wednesday, Jan. 1 | ESPN
• Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 8 Ohio State/No. 9 Tennessee winner – 5:00 p.m. ET Wednesday, Jan. 1 | ESPN
• Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame/No. 10 Indiana winner – 8:45 p.m. ET Wednesday, Jan. 1 | ESPN

Semifinals (Jan. 9-10, 2025)

• Orange Bowl: 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 9 | ESPN
• Cotton Bowl: 7:30 p.m. ET Friday, Jan. 10 | ESPN

CFP National Championship

• Jan. 20, 2025: 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

The matchups in these rounds will determine who moves on to the CFP National Championship, where the top teams battle it out for the title.

2024-25 College Football Playoff Schedule Overview

This year, the CFP promises to deliver a packed slate of games, with action beginning on December 20th and culminating in the National Championship on January 20, 2025. Below, we break down each round and key matchups, so you can plan your viewing accordingly.

First Round: December 20-21

The action kicks off on December 20, featuring No. 7 Notre Dame hosting No. 10 Indiana in a matchup full of potential. Then, on December 21, four exciting games will take place, including:

• No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State at 12 p.m. ET on TNT/MAX
• No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas at 4 p.m. ET on TNT/MAX
• No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State at 8 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN

Expect fireworks from these matchups as teams fight for their place in the next round!

Quarterfinals: December 31 – January 1

Once the first round wraps up, we head into the Quarterfinals over New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Key games to note:

• Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Boise State vs. winner of Penn State/SMU at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
• Peach Bowl: No. 4 Arizona State vs. winner of Texas/Clemson at 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN
• Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon vs. winner of Ohio State/Tennessee at 5:00 p.m. ET on ESPN
• Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. winner of Notre Dame/Indiana at 8:45 p.m. ET on ESPN

These games set the stage for intense, do-or-die competition as the best of the best move closer to a National Championship.

Semifinals: January 9-10

The Semifinals will feature two high-profile matchups on January 9 and 10:

• Orange Bowl: 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 9 (ESPN)
• Cotton Bowl: 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 10 (ESPN)

The winners of these games will advance to the CFP National Championship, where the season’s ultimate victor will be crowned.

CFP National Championship: January 20

The 2024-25 College Football Playoff National Championship Game is set for Monday, January 20, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. ET, live from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. This grand finale will be broadcast on ESPN and marks the culmination of a long and exciting season.

History of the CFP National Championship Game

The CFP National Championship Game has seen some of the greatest moments in college football history. Here’s a glimpse of how past championships have played out:

• 2015: No. 4 Ohio State 42, No. 2 Oregon 20 – Arlington, Texas
• 2016: No. 2 Alabama 45, No. 1 Clemson 40 – Glendale, Arizona
• 2017: No. 2 Clemson 35, No. 1 Alabama 31 – Tampa, Florida
• 2018: No. 4 Alabama 26, No. 3 Georgia 23 – Atlanta, Georgia
• 2019: No. 2 Clemson 44, No. 1 Alabama 16 – Santa Clara, California
• 2020: No. 1 LSU 42, No. 3 Clemson 25 – New Orleans, Louisiana
• 2021: No. 1 Alabama 52, No. 3 Ohio State 24 – Miami Gardens, Florida
• 2022: No. 3 Georgia 33, No. 1 Alabama 18 – Indianapolis, Indiana
• 2023: No. 1 Georgia 65, No. 3 TCU 7 – Inglewood, California
• 2024: No. 1 Michigan 34, No. 2 Washington 13 – Houston, Texas

This legacy continues to evolve with each season, and the 2024-25 season promises to add to it with even greater excitement.

What to Expect in the 2024-25 CFP

The expanded format will feature more teams, creating new dynamics for both the players and fans. With more spots available, teams like Indiana, SMU, and Clemson have earned their chance to shine on the national stage, which was not the case in previous years. This expansion is designed to give fans a wider variety of matchups and more thrilling football.

Additionally, under the 12-team format, there will be an increased focus on both conference champions and at-large selections. Teams will need to earn their place in this highly competitive field, whether through conference titles or strong regular-season performances.

Key Players to Watch

As we head into the 2024-25 playoffs, some standout players are shaping up to make a big impact:

• J.J. McCarthy (Michigan) – After leading Michigan to the 2024 CFP National Championship, McCarthy has solidified himself as one of the top quarterbacks in college football. His ability to both pass and run adds a unique dimension to Michigan’s offense.
• Blake Corum (Michigan) – A key offensive weapon, Corum broke Michigan’s rushing records and was instrumental in their playoff run. His vision and agility make him a standout in every game.
• Will Johnson (Michigan) – Known for his clutch performances, Johnson earned the Defensive MVP during the 2023-24 National Championship. His playmaking ability is one to watch in the 2024-25 playoffs.
• Bo Nix (Oregon) – As the starting quarterback for No. 1 Oregon, Nix will lead his team into the Quarterfinals with high hopes of securing a spot in the Championship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does the 12-team College Football Playoff work?

The 12-team format features six automatic bids for conference champions and six at-large bids. Teams are seeded based on their performance throughout the regular season, leading to a more inclusive playoff system.

Q: What happens if a top-ranked team loses early?

An upset could dramatically shake up the playoff picture. Lower-ranked teams now have a greater chance to advance to the later rounds, making the tournament even more unpredictable and exciting.

Q: Where is the CFP National Championship held?

This year, the National Championship will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on January 20, 2025.