Get ready for an action-packed college football bowl season in 2025-26! But here's the kicker: this year's schedule is packed with matchups that could redefine the sport's landscape. From underdog stories to powerhouse clashes, every game promises edge-of-your-seat excitement. And this is the part most people miss: the bowl season isn't just about the big names; it's a stage for rising stars and unexpected heroes. Let's dive into the full lineup, complete with dates, times, and TV channels, so you don't miss a single play.
The season kicks off on Saturday, December 13, and runs through the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday, January 19. But here's where it gets controversial: the College Football Playoff First Round features matchups like No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama, a game that has fans and analysts divided. Will Alabama's experience prevail, or will Oklahoma's momentum carry them through? This is just one of many questions that will be answered on the field.
Bold Prediction: Keep an eye on the No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 24 James Madison game. James Madison, a relative newcomer to the big stage, could pull off a stunning upset that shakes up the bracket. And don't sleep on the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl between Washington State and Utah State—it's a classic underdog story waiting to unfold.
Here’s the complete schedule, with all times in ET:
Thursday, Dec. 18
- Xbox Bowl: Arkansas State vs. Missouri State | 9 p.m. | ESPN2 | Ford Center, Frisco, Texas
Friday, Dec. 19
- Myrtle Beach Bowl: Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan | 11 a.m. | ESPN | Brooks Stadium, Conway, S.C.
- Gasparilla Bowl: Memphis vs. NC State | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.
- College Football Playoff First Round: No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama | 8 p.m. | ESPN, ABC | Memorial Stadium, Norman, Okla.
Saturday, Dec. 20
- College Football Playoff First Round: No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Miami (Fla.) | 12 p.m. | ESPN, ABC | Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
- College Football Playoff First Round: No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 20 Tulane | 3:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max, truTV | Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Miss.
- College Football Playoff First Round: No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 24 James Madison | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max, truTV | Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Ore.
Monday, Dec. 22
- Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Washington State vs. Utah State | 2 p.m. | ESPN | Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho
Tuesday, Dec. 23
- New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN | Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, La.
- Frisco Bowl: UNLV vs. Ohio | 9 p.m. | ESPN | Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, Texas
Wednesday, Dec. 24
- Hawai'i Bowl: Cal vs. Hawai'i | 8 p.m. | ESPN | Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, Hawai'i
Friday, Dec. 26
- GameAbove Sports Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Northwestern | 1 p.m. | ESPN | Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.
- Rate Bowl: New Mexico vs. Minnesota | 4:30 p.m. | ESPN | Chase Field, Phoenix, Ariz.
- First Responder Bowl: FIU vs. UTSA | 8 p.m. | ESPN | Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, Texas
Saturday, Dec. 27
- Military Bowl: Pitt vs. East Carolina | 11 a.m. | ESPN | Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Md.
- Pinstripe Bowl: Clemson vs. Penn State | 12 p.m. | ABC | Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.
- Fenway Bowl: UConn vs. Army | 2:15 p.m. | ESPN | Fenway Park, Boston, Mass.
- Pop-Tarts Bowl: No. 12 BYU vs. No. 22 Georgia Tech | 3:30 p.m. | ABC | Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
- Arizona Bowl: Miami (Ohio) vs. Fresno State | 4:30 p.m. | The CW Network | Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz.
- New Mexico Bowl: No. 25 North Texas vs. San Diego State | 5:45 p.m. | ESPN | University Stadium, Albuquerque, N.M.
- Gator Bowl: Missouri vs. No. 19 Virginia | 7:30 p.m. | ABC | EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.
- Texas Bowl: LSU vs. No. 21 Houston | 9:15 p.m. | ESPN | NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Tuesday, Dec. 30
- Independence Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech | 2 p.m. | ESPN | Independence Stadium, Shreveport, La.
- Music City Bowl: Tennessee vs. Illinois | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN | Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.
- Alamo Bowl: No. 16 USC vs. TCU | 9 p.m. | ESPN | Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
Wednesday, Dec. 31
- ReliaQuest Bowl: No. 23 Iowa vs. No. 14 Vanderbilt | 12 p.m. | ESPN | Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.
- Sun Bowl: Arizona State vs. Duke | 2 p.m. | CBS | Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas
- Citrus Bowl: No. 13 Texas vs. No. 18 Michigan | 3 p.m. | ABC | Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
- Las Vegas Bowl: Nebraska vs. No. 15 Utah | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nev.
- College Football Playoff Quarterfinal: No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Texas A&M/No. 10 Miami (Fla.) winner | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN | AT&T Stadium (Cotton Bowl), Arlington, Texas
Thursday, Jan. 1
- College Football Playoff Quarterfinal: No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon/No. 24 James Madison winner | 12 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN | Hard Rock Stadium (Orange Bowl), Miami Gardens, Fla.
- College Football Playoff Quarterfinal: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 8 Oklahoma/No. 9 Alabama winner | 4 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN | Rose Bowl (Rose Bowl), Pasadena, Calif.
- College Football Playoff Quarterfinal: No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss/No. 20 Tulane winner | 8 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN | Caesars Superdome (Sugar Bowl), New Orleans, La.
Friday, Jan. 2
- Armed Forces Bowl: Texas State vs. Rice | 1 p.m. | ESPN | Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas
- Liberty Bowl: Navy vs. Cincinnati | 4:30 p.m. | ESPN | Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, Tenn.
- Duke's Mayo Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest | 8 p.m. | ESPN | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
- Holiday Bowl: No. 17 Arizona vs. SMU | 8 p.m. | FOX | Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, Calif.
Thursday, Jan. 8
- College Football Playoff Semifinal | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN | State Farm Stadium (Fiesta Bowl), Glendale, Ariz.
Friday, Jan. 9
- College Football Playoff Semifinal | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Peach Bowl), Atlanta, Ga.
Monday, Jan. 19
- College Football Playoff National Championship Game | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Fla.
Past College Football Playoff Results (2014-2024):
- 2014: Ohio State wins the inaugural CFP National Championship.
- 2015: Alabama edges Clemson in a thrilling final.
- 2016: Clemson gets revenge, defeating Alabama in a rematch.
- 2017: Alabama claims another title, this time over Georgia in overtime.
- 2018: Clemson dominates Alabama for their second title.
- 2019: LSU dethrones Clemson in a high-scoring championship game.
- 2020: Alabama secures another title, defeating Ohio State.
- 2021: Georgia ends their drought, beating Alabama.
- 2022: Georgia continues their dominance with a blowout win over TCU.
- 2023: Michigan claims the title, defeating Washington.
- 2024: Ohio State wins a thrilling championship over Notre Dame.
Thought-Provoking Question: With the rise of underdog teams like James Madison, is the College Football Playoff ready for a major shakeup? Could we see a non-Power Five team make a deep run this year? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
