The College Football Playoff is a high-stakes, multi-round tournament structure designed to determine the national champion of the top tier of collegiate football. Under the modern expanded 12-team format, the postseason gauntlet includes first-round games hosted on college campuses, high-intensity quarterfinal and semifinal matchups contested at iconic, traditional New Year Six bowl locations, and finally, the ultimate National Championship game. The tournament bracket is determined by an official selection committee that carefully analyzes conference championship results, strength of schedule, and overall performance throughout the regular season to pick the most deserving elite teams in the country. This expanded playoff system creates an immensely competitive atmosphere, rewarding consistency throughout the fall and ensuring that the final national crown is earned on the field through grueling high-pressure elimination games.