College Football Playoff dates, times & schedule announced for first 12-team playoff

When the 2024 college football season begins, so does the expanded College Football Playoff when it goes from four teams to 12. That opens the door for a lot of teams to play meaningful football through November and even some teams that have one or two losses have the opportunity to still play for the National Championship.

If there was a year for Virginia Tech to enter the season with high expectations and dreams of making the 12-team field, 2024 is it. I'm not saying that they are going to make the field, but with a doable schedule, this season that does not include Florida State, North Carolina State or Louisville, their toughest games will come from Miami, Clemson, Syracuse, and Georgia Tech.

Wednesday, the dates and times were released for the College Football Playoff, and with a little luck, the Hokies might find themselves in the hunt for a berth come early December.

2024-25 College Football Schedule, Dates & Times

First Round

• Game 1: Friday, Dec. 20, 8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN
• Game 2: Saturday, Dec. 21, Noon ET, TNT Sports
• Game 3: Saturday, Dec. 21, 4 p.m. ET, TNT Sports
• Game 4: Saturday, Dec. 21, 8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN

Quarterfinals

• Game 1: VRBO Fiesta Bowl, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
• Game 2: Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
• Game 3: Rose Bowl Game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN
• Game 4: All-State Sugar Bowl, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 8:45 p.m. ET, ESPN

Semifinals

• Game 1: Capital One Orange Bowl, Thursday, Jan. 9, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
• Game 2: Good Year Cotton Bowl, Friday, Jan. 10, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

National Championship Game

• Monday, Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Virginia Tech's 2024 season kicks off Aug. 31 on Labor Day Weekend at Vanderbilt with a noontime kickoff.