College Football Playoff announced dates and times for first-ever 12-team playoff

The College Football Playoff released the dates and times for all 11 games that are now a part of the expanded 12-team playoffs at the end of the 2024-25 season.

For a month straight, from Dec. 20 through Jan. 20, the 12 best teams in college football will clash for their chance at the National Championship trophy.

Gus Malzahn and the UCF Knights may not have the greatest odds at earning one of the coveted spots in the playoffs this year but... what if?

As the Knights get ready for their third season in the Big 12, UCF fans are hopeful, if not optimistic, that their team may just stand a chance this year.

2024-25 College Football Playoff Schedule

Playoff first round:

• Game 1: Friday, December 20 at 8 p.m. ET on TNT Sports
• Game 2: Saturday, December 21 at noon ET on TNT Sports
• Game 3: Saturday, December 21 at 4 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN
• Game 4: Saturday, December 21 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN

Playoff quarterfinals:

• Game 1: VRBO Viesta Bowl, Tuesday, December 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
• Game 2: Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Wednesday, January 1 at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN
• Game 3: Rose Bowl, Wednesday, January 1 at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN
• Game 4: Allstate Sugar Bowl, Wednesday, January 1 at 8:45 p.m. ET on ESPN

Playoff semifinals:

• Game 1: Capital One Orange Bowl, Thursday, January 9 at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN
• Game 2: Goodyear Cotton Bowl, Wednesday, January 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

National Championship:

• Monday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

Malzahn and the Knights are scheduled to kick off their 2024 season against the New Hampshire Wildcats. UCF and New Hampshire will kickoff the game at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 29