The NCAA on Sunday announced the bracket for the Division III football playoffs, which begin this coming weekend.
The bracket expanded from 32 to 40 teams last year, which culminated in North Central (Ill.) winning its second national title in three seasons. The Cardinals have played in the last four Stagg Bowls and will enter the tournament a favorite to return to the title game after polishing off their fifth consecutive undefeated season on Saturday. North Central has won a record 51 consecutive CCIW games.
Twenty-four teams earned first-round byes, with eight second-round matchups already set.
The top half of the bracket can be found here:
And the bottom half:
The playoffs begin Saturday, Nov. 22, with rounds continuing at campus sites each Saturday through the semifinals on Dec. 20. The 2025 Division III national champion will be crowned at the Stagg Bowl on Jan. 4 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.