The highly anticipated 12-team College Football Playoff bracket was revealed Sunday, marking the debut of the expanded postseason format.
Among the participating teams, several feature players and coaches with ties to Hawai‘i, showcasing the state’s deep-rooted football talent.
Topping the bracket is No. 1 Oregon, the Big Ten champion, led by a roster that includes seven Hawai‘i-born players, such as Mililani’s Dillon Gabriel, Farrington’s Iapani Laloulu, and five others that list Hawaii as their hometown. The Ducks join No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Boise State, and No. 4 Arizona State as the top seeds receiving first-round byes.
CFP Schedule and Matchups (Kickoff times HST):
First Round (Dec. 20-21):
• Friday, Dec. 20: No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame | 3 p.m. | ABC/ESPN
• Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State | 7 a.m. | TNT/MAX
• Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas | 11 a.m. | TNT/MAX
• Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State | 3 p.m. | ABC/ESPN
Quarterfinals (Dec. 31-Jan. 1):
• Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Boise State vs. Penn State/SMU winner | 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 | ABC/ESPN
• Peach Bowl: No. 4 Arizona State vs. Texas/Clemson winner | 8 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1 | ABC/ESPN
• Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon vs. Ohio State/Tennessee winner | 12 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1 | ABC/ESPN
• Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. Notre Dame/Indiana winner | 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1 | ABC/ESPN
Semifinals (Jan. 9-10):
• Orange Bowl: 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9 | ESPN
• Cotton Bowl: 2:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 | ESPN
CFP National Championship:
• Monday, Jan. 20: 2:30 p.m. | ESPN | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Hawai‘i Players in the CFP:
Oregon
• Darrian Anderson (Waipahu)
• Dillon Gabriel (Mililani)
• Kilohana Haasenritter (Hilo)
• Iapani Laloulu (Farrington)
• Kawika Rogers (Kapa‘a)
• Will Straton (Punahou)
• Teitum Tuioti (Honolulu)
Boise State
• Kaonohi Kaniho (Kahuku)
Arizona State
• Leif Fautanu (Pac-Five/UH Lab)
• Blazen Lono-Wong (Kailua)
• Semisi Tonga (Kahuku)
Texas
• Liona Lefau (Kahuku)
• Tausili Akana (Laie)
Clemson
• Tristan Martinez (Iolani)
Notre Dame
• Jordan Botelho (Saint Louis)
• Kahanu Kia (Punahou)
A total of 16 players from Hawai‘i are spread across six playoff teams, all aiming to capture a national championship in the inaugural expanded playoff format.
Coaches w/ Hawaii ties in CFP:
Oregon
- A’lique Terry – Offensive Line (Former University of Hawaii Asst.)
- Tony Tuioti – Defensive Line (University of Hawaii DL & Former assistant)
- Mike Cavanaugh – Offensive Analyst (Former UH assistant)
- Koa Ka’ai – Offensive Analyst (Former UH graduate assistant)
Arizona State
- Shaun Aguano – Running Backs (Kapa’a, Kauai)
- Jason Cvercko – Chief of Staff (Former UH Chief of Staff)
Tennessee
- McKenzie Milton – Offensive analyst (Mililani HS)