Who do Americans want to win the 2024-25 College Football Playoff?

Ahead of the 2024-25 NCAA College Football Playoff (CFP), interest among the general population varies widely.

YouGov asked more than 17,500 Americans if they are planning to watch, what they think about the expansion of the playoff from four to twelve teams, and who they want to win. This survey dataset was referenced anonymously against previous surveys completed by each respondent to further understand which parts of the country are rooting for which teams.

How many people plan to watch the 2024-25 CFP?

At least 42% of Americans plan to tune in for the CFP, with 16% intending to watch most of the games, 20% planning to catch only a few, and an additional 6% reserving their attention solely for the championship.

However, nearly half of the country (48%) does not plan to watch any games, while 11% remain undecided before the games begin.

What is the right number of teams to compete in the CFP?

Among those who plan to watch the CFP, opinions about the ideal size of the CFP field reflect diverse perspectives. While 4% prefer the traditional two-team format and 10% favor the current four-team playoff model, the majority advocate for expansion.

While the highest percentage of respondents said 12 teams was the right amount, a combined 31% said fewer than 12, but more than the four teams from previous years’ playoffs.

Notably, 17% push for further expansion, opting for more than 12 teams. Despite their intention to watch the CFP, 10% of prospective viewers are unsure how many teams should be included, and 8% do not care.

Which team in the CFP has the most support?

When it comes to team allegiances, Texas leads the pack as the preferred team among CFP watchers, with 14% showing support for the Longhorns over all other schools.

CFP mainstay Georgia follows closely with 12%, while Ohio State garners fandom among 9% of prospective viewers. Other schools such as Oregon and Arizona State (each at 8%), Notre Dame (6%), and Indiana and Penn State (both at 5%), round out the top picks.

SMU holds the underdog spot, with 1% of US CFP viewers rooting for them heading into the playoffs.

Interestingly, 11% "don’t care" which team wins but plan to watch anyway, while 10% are not sure.

Who do residents of each state want to win?

Zooming back out to the general population, not just prospective viewers of the College Football Playoff, we can see local preferences emerge.

Oregon has the most devoted statewide following, with 50% of respondents in the state saying they want the Ducks to win. Close behind, we see that nearly half of Georgia’s residents (47.3%) support the Bulldogs, and 46% of Ohioans rally behind the Buckeyes. Similarly, Texas commands an overwhelming 45.9% of in-state support, despite the Dallas-based SMU Mustangs also competing in the playoffs.

This trend continues among other state with a single team in the playoffs: Arizona State claims 44% of fans in Arizona, Penn State has 36% of Pennsylvania residents rooting for them, the Volunteers are supported by 36% of Tennessee residents rooting for them, and Clemson is the preferred winner for the South Carolina (16%).

Meanwhile, in Indiana, home of Notre Dame and the University of Indiana both, and neighbors to Ohio State, 32% root for the Hoosiers, while the Fighting Irish are the top pick for 13%.

Idaho, home to Boise State, fell just beneath the 100-respondent threshold. Among respondents in Idaho, the Broncos held a significant lead, in line with Penn State and Tennessee among residents of their respective states.

A few other standout stats from the state-level data:

• With the Crimson Tide out of the running, Alabamans are most likely to say they want the Georgia Bulldogs (20%). This is the highest percentage of a state rooting for an out-of-state team.
• Utah is the only state backing SMU before the Playoff begins, opting for the Mustangs (7%) ahead of nearby Boise State or Arizona State
• In addition to winning the popular vote, Texas also has the support of the most states: Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia.
• With last year’s winner Michigan not in contention, Michiganders appear to be rallying around an unexpected team: Michigan rival Ohio State. That said, only 7% of residents support their rival with loyalties spread thin across multiple teams
• Notre Dame may not have the support of its state, but the Fighting Irish are the top pick for their neighbors in Illinois (5%), as well as residents of Connecticut (7%) and Massachusetts (7%).
  

While a significant portion of the population opts out entirely, those engaged are eager for an expanded playoff format and bring fervent local pride to the postseason.

As the inaugural 12-team format kicks off and teams get eliminated, support will consolidate and morph. For now, the regional pride and conference alignment shines through.

Photo: Sean Benesh (Unsplash)