2024 College Football Bowl Schedule, Playoff Bracket, Dates, Kickoff Times, and NCAA Top 25 Rankings

2024 College Football Bowl Season Kicks Off with Intense Rivalries and Playoff Aspirations

As we approach the much-anticipated season of college football, fans across the country are gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying 2024 Bowl Season. With the regular season wrapped up, teams are now setting their sights on bowl games and the coveted College Football Playoff (CFP). Here's a comprehensive look at the schedule, rankings, and everything you need to know before the bowl games commence.

NCAA Top 25 Rankings

The final College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings for 2024 have been released, setting the stage for the postseason. Here are the top 25 teams according to the CFP selection committee:

1. Alabama Crimson Tide
2. Georgia Bulldogs
3. Michigan Wolverines
4. Ohio State Buckeyes
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
6. LSU Tigers
7. Clemson Tigers
8. Florida State Seminoles
9. Penn State Nittany Lions
10. Oklahoma Sooners
11. USC Trojans
12. Oregon Ducks
13. Washington Huskies
14. Texas Longhorns
15. Tennessee Volunteers
16. Utah Utes
17. Kansas State Cowboys
18. UCLA Bruins
19. Ole Miss Rebels
20. TCU Horned Frogs
21. Pittsburgh Panthers
22. North Carolina Tar Heels
23. Kansas Jayhawks
24. Iowa Hawkeyes
25. Wisconsin Badgers

College Football Playoff Bracket

The College Football Playoff semifinals are scheduled to take place on January 1st, 2024:

• Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl - No. 1 Alabama vs. No.4 Ohio State
• Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic - No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 3 Michigan

The winners of these semifinals will move on to the National Championship game, set for January 11, 2024, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Bowl Schedule Highlights

Apart from the playoffs, college football fans have a plethora of bowl games to look forward to. Here are some notable matchups:

• Rose Bowl: Utah Utes vs. Penn State Nittany Lions - December 29, 2024
• Sugar Bowl: LSU Tigers vs. Oklahoma Sooners - December 31, 2024
• Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Oregon Ducks - January 1, 2024
• Orange Bowl: Clemson Tigers vs. Texas Longhorns - January 1, 2024
• Citrus Bowl: Florida State Seminoles vs. Wisconsin Badgers - January 2, 2024

Kickoff Times and TV Schedules

Each game brings its unique flare, and here’s how you can catch the action:

• Peach Bowl - Alabama vs. Ohio State: **4 PM ET, ESPN**
• Cotton Bowl - Georgia vs. Michigan: **8 PM ET, ESPN**
• Rose Bowl - Utah vs. Penn State: **5 PM ET, ABC**
• Sugar Bowl - LSU vs. Oklahoma: **8:45 PM ET, ESPN**
• Fiesta Bowl - Notre Dame vs. Oregon: **1 PM ET, ESPN**
• Orange Bowl - Clemson vs. Texas: **6 PM ET, ESPN**
• Citrus Bowl - Florida State vs. Wisconsin: **1 PM ET, ABC**

Storylines to Watch

Here are some key narratives developing as we head into the postseason:

The Legacy Continuation: Alabama, under the stewardship of Coach Nick Saban, aims to add yet another chapter to its storied history, although this year they face a rejuvenated Ohio State squad, eager to reclaim their status in college football.

The Cinderella Story?: Georgia, a team that has been somewhat overshadowed by other powerhouses, has the chance to prove its worth against Michigan, a team known for its physical and tough gameplay.

New Blood vs. Tradition: In the Rose Bowl, the traditional might of Penn State will clash with the emerging power of Utah, symbolizing the changing dynamics within college football.

The Underdogs: Teams like Notre Dame and Texas, often undervalued, might surprise by making significant noise in their respective bowl games, thus adding an extra layer of excitement to the season's climax.

College Football Bowl Season: More Than Just Football

College football bowl games are not just about the competition; they are cultural touchstones, bringing together communities, fans, and alumni in celebrations of sportsmanship, tradition, and festivity. Here’s what makes these events special:

• Parades and Festivities: Cities hosting bowl games often feature parades, pep rallies, and community events which add to the vibrancy of the game experience.
• Pageantry: Each game comes with its unique pre-game rituals, from mascots running onto the field to national anthems sung by notable artists.
• Economic Impact: Bowl games are significant for local economies, boosting tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors as fans converge on the host cities.
• Legacy and Rivalry: This season, apart from playoff games, historic rivalries like the matchup between Clemson and Texas, which carries a rich history, continue to captivate audiences nationwide.

In conclusion, the 2024 College Football Bowl Season is poised to be an action-packed and memorable series of games, with teams fighting not only for glory but to leave an indelible mark in the lore of college football. Fans are ready to strap in for what promises to be an exceptional conclusion to a remarkable season.