By Staff
Forget committees and playoff expansion debates—our annual fictional 64-team NCAA football tournament offers a fresh and exciting take on the postseason. Inspired by March Madness, teams are seeded based on ESPN’s latest SP+ projections for 2025.
Ohio State, Texas, Penn State, and Georgia claim the top seeds, with Georgia heading to the West Region as the lowest-ranked No. 1. Though fictional, the bracket captures the unpredictability and drama fans love about college football.
Midwest Regional
The Midwest Regional features some of the toughest programs in college football, making it one of the strongest and most competitive regions year after year. While the outcomes here are fictional, the Midwest consistently delivers some of the most exciting football in the country—drawing passionate fanbases and plenty of wagers on hometown favorites.
Sports betting writer James Briscoe highlights how interested fans can get in on the action and bet without the hassle of KYC procedures by using reputable, licensed sportsbooks that offer a streamlined registration process requiring only a username and password.
Once registered, users can enjoy anonymous betting, competitive odds, and a range of bonuses on college football markets. As the action heats up in the Midwest, the opportunity to engage with the game grows even more exciting, with every matchup offering high stakes, fierce competition, and a deeper connection for fans and bettors alike. The first round of the Midwest Regional delivered exactly what fans expected, with dominant performances, closely contested matchups, and plenty of early tournament drama.
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First Round
Ohio State easily beats Boston College, winning 45-14 after scoring on its first three possessions. Oregon takes control in the third quarter against UCF, turning turnovers into points in a 38-17 victory. Tennessee survived a close game against Pittsburgh, winning 30-21 after a key interception return by Boo Carter. South Carolina used its pass rush to disrupt North Carolina’s offense, securing a 24-19 win.
BYU controlled its game from the start, defeating Colorado 34-13. Kentucky edged out Louisville 24-23 with a late touchdown pass from Zach Calzada. TCU leaned on its passing attack to beat Georgia Tech 28-21, while Arkansas defeated Boise State 31-27 behind quarterback Taylen Green’s 390 total yards against his former team.
Second Round
Ohio State wore down Arkansas in the second half to win 30-24. Oregon advanced with a 35-21 win over TCU, as Dante Moore accounted for three touchdowns. Tennessee got past Kentucky 28-20, with a crucial late interception stopping Kentucky’s comeback attempt. BYU pulled off a 31-30 upset over South Carolina, sealing the game with a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Regional Semifinals
Ohio State faces BYU, while Oregon takes on Tennessee for a chance to advance to the Final Four.
South Regional
The South Regional showcases powerhouse programs alongside emerging teams looking to make a statement. The early rounds test each team’s resilience.
First Round
Texas Longhorns opened the South Regional with a dominant 45-21 win over Maryland, as Arch Manning threw for three touchdowns and rushed for another. Notre Dame needed a fourth-quarter rally to avoid an upset against California, winning 34-27. Miami took down Kansas 30-14 with three second-half touchdown passes from Carson Beck. Florida’s defense played a major role in its 37-10 victory over James Madison.
Illinois controlled the clock and used a strong running game to defeat NC State 21-18. Virginia Tech stunned Iowa 17-14 in a defensive battle. USC relied on its defense to beat Minnesota 28-20, while Texas Tech needed overtime to win 38-35 against Utah, sealing the game with a 36-yard field goal.
Second Round
In the second round, Texas’ defense stepped up in the second half to defeat Texas Tech 31-20. Notre Dame and USC battled until the final minutes, with backup quarterback CJ Carr running in a game-winning touchdown to give Notre Dame a 28-24 victory. Miami controlled both the ground and passing attack to beat Virginia Tech 34-17, while Illinois pulled off a 30-27 upset over Florida after Gabe Jacas’ late-game sacks pushed Florida out of field goal range.
Regional Semifinals
Texas faces Illinois, while Notre Dame is matched against Miami. The results of these matchups will determine the region’s finalist.
East Regional
The East Regional brings traditional heavyweights into competition with underdogs ready to prove themselves. The first two rounds deliver tight games and unexpected outcomes.
First Round
Penn State starts off strong in the East Regional Division, dominating West Virginia in a 45-17 win. Alabama’s defense proves to be the difference in a 28-7 victory over Syracuse, limiting the Orange to under 200 total yards. Michigan barely escaped against Army, scoring a last-minute touchdown to win 28-27. SMU handled Tulane 30-21, controlling possession throughout the game.
Memphis delivered a surprise in the first round by upsetting Texas A&M 24-20, with a late touchdown sealing the win. Wisconsin followed with another upset, eliminating Oklahoma 26-21. Indiana’s defense overwhelmed Washington, leading to a 34-13 victory, while Nebraska pulled out a 28-24 win over Arizona State.
Second Round
The second round saw Penn State end Memphis’ run with a 33-17 victory, using its defense to control the game. Alabama overpowered Michigan, winning 35-21 to advance to the next round.
Regional Semifinals
Penn State faces Memphis, while Alabama and Michigan battle for a Final Four spot.
West Regional
The West Regional features a mix of elite teams and potential Cinderella stories. Defensive battles and high-scoring duels keep the tournament thrilling.
First Round
Georgia faced a challenge from Oklahoma State but pulled away in the second half to secure a 33-21 win. Clemson had no trouble against Mississippi State, winning 41-20. Ole Miss relied on its fast-paced offense to handle Cincinnati, winning 37-21. LSU defeated Florida State 25-17 in a game that featured strong defensive play from both teams.
Missouri’s offense was the key in a 38-23 win over Rutgers, while Vanderbilt pulled off an upset against Kansas State, winning 23-21 with a last-minute drive. Auburn controlled Duke from start to finish, winning 35-14. Iowa State relied on its defense to beat Baylor 28-16, preventing any late comeback attempts.
Second Round
Georgia’s defense stepped up late to secure a 20-13 victory over Iowa State. Clemson’s Cade Klubnik threw three touchdowns to lead the Tigers to a 35-20 win over Ole Miss.
Regional Semifinals
Georgia meets LSU, while Clemson and Ole Miss clash for a Final Four spot.
