Kickoff for the Rose Bowl is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on Jan. 1, airing on ESPN. This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

A week before the College Football Playoff begins, the No. 1 team in the country Indiana has news about one of its top coaches.

Alabama and Miami are in, Notre Dame is out and Indiana is No. 1 in the College Football Playoff’s 12-team bracket.

This year's College Football Playoff field defied expectations in several ways. Here's what you need to know about the 12 teams.

The College Football Playoff is just over a week away from starting, as the Alabama Crimson Tide will kick things off on Friday against the Oklahoma Sooners. Od

The No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers will be without one of its best pass rushers and defenders during the College Football Playoff.

Indiana defensive end Stephen Daley will likely miss the College Football Playoff due to an injury he sustained after the Hoosiers' victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game, coach Curt Cignetti said on Wednesday.

The 12-team field includes Miami, excludes Notre Dame and has a pair of Group of 5 teams in James Madison and Tulane.

It's the best time of year to be a college football fan. After another chaotic season, the field for the 12-team College Football Playoff has been set, and in just a few short weeks we'll be crowning a new national champion.