According to Executive Director Rich Clark, the College Football Playoffs is scheduled to release its final version of updated strength of schedule metrics in mid-August. This announcement will coincide with the annual preseason meeting of the 13-member selection committee, which will take place in Colorado Springs.
At the center of the debate is whether to extend the playoffs from 12 to 16 teams, and if they will reward multiple automatic qualifiers from the Big Ten and SEC. Clark stated that CFP executives haven’t met since June, when they resumed talks on various 12-, 14-, and 16-team formats. Their next in-person meeting is scheduled for September 24.
Clark said, “I know they want to [decide] before [December 1], they want to get it resolved so that they can make decisions within their conferences and the rest of college football can make decisions as well.”
The CFP format could impact the number of conference games played in the SEC and Big Ten. The CFP will implement straight seeding for the 12-team playoff for at least one year, allocating spots to the five highest-ranked conference champions. However, these teams will not be assured a first-round bye.
When Does College Football Return?
Week 0 of the 2025 College football season will kick off on August 23, and the regular season will conclude on December 13. Immediately following the regular season, the league will host its bowl games and college football playoffs, leading to the 2026 College Football National Championship.
Betting Odds for Week 0
Most of the legal college football betting that takes place in the USA is online with offshore sportsbooks or domestic sites that are authorized to operate online. While some brick-and-mortar locations offer odds for the season, the convenience of online sources far outweighs that of their in-person counterparts.
Iowa State vs. Kansas State
- Spread: +3.5 (-115), -3.5 (-105)
- Win: +140, -165
- Total: O49.5 (-105), U49.5 (-115)
*Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
Fresno State vs. Kansas
- Spread: +14.0 (-120), -14.0 (EVEN)
- Total: O51.5 (-110), U51.5 (-110)
Sam Houston State vs. Western Kentucky
- Spread: +9.5 (-110), -9.5 (-110)
- Total: O61.5 (-110), U61.5 (-110)
Stanford vs. Hawaii
- Spread: -2.5 (-110), +2.5 (-110)
- Win: -135, +115
- Total: O55.5 (-110), U55.5 (-110)
Week 1 Schedule
Week one of the college football season will begin on August 28, when most teams will play their first season games. While for most prominent teams the week one matchup is generally a gimme, this year, three games of prominence will draw a lot of attention.
Alabama vs. Florida State
- Spread: -12.5 (-120), +12.5 (EVEN)
- Win: -575, +400
- Total: O51.0 (-110), U51.0 (-110)
Auburn vs. Baylor
- Spread: -2.5 (-115), +2.5 (-105)
- Win: -140, +120
- Total: O56.5 (-110), U56.5 (-110)
Georgia Tech vs. Colorado
- Spread: -4.0 (-115), +4.0 (-105)
- Win: -175, +150
- Total: O57.5 (-112), U57.5 (-112)
LSU vs. Clemson
- Spread: +3.0 (-110), -3.0 (-110)
- Win: +130, -150
- Total: O56.5 (-110), U56.5 (-110)
*Odds via Bovada