The College Football Playoff began Dec. 19, 2025 and ends Jan. 19. Who will win the national title? Ohio State? Georgia? Someone else?

Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches a deep pass in front of Hoosiers defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) during action in the college football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Indiana Hoosiers in the Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday, December 6, 2025. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

The 2025-26 College Football Playoff is upon us, and Indiana looks to win its first national championship in program history. But will Curt Cignetti and company be able to do it with a tough road in front of them?

Here are predictions and projections for the final College Football Playoff bracket and 12-team CFP field after conference championship games.

We asked our staff at Buckeyes Wire to predict and pick the entire CFP bracket, including the championship game. Here's what they all had to say.

Each reporter picked every winner in the bracket and eventual national championship matchup, plus why each thinks the winning program will hoist the trophy on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

The haters told us we were in for a relative snoozefest of a first round of the College Football Playoff, and ... well, the haters were correct, honestly great