Get ready for a thrilling ride as the 2025-26 college football bowl season kicks off, but here's the twist: this year's schedule is packed with matchups that could redefine the sport's landscape. The action begins on December 13th and culminates in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on January 19th, with games spread across the country, from the sunny shores of Hawai'i to the snowy fields of Boise, Idaho. But here's where it gets controversial—the College Football Playoff First Round features a clash between No. 7 Texas A&M and No. 10 Miami (Fla.) at Kyle Field, a game that has fans and analysts divided over who will advance. And this is the part most people miss: the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on December 22nd, where Washington State takes on Utah State, might just be the underdog story of the season. Is this the year we see a Cinderella team rise to the top?
The schedule is a football fan's dream, with games like the Pinstripe Bowl between Clemson and Penn State at Yankee Stadium, and the Pop-Tarts Bowl featuring No. 12 BYU against No. 22 Georgia Tech in Orlando. But let's not forget the historical significance of the Rose Bowl, where No. 1 Indiana faces No. 9 Alabama on January 1st—a matchup that could be a turning point in the season. Will tradition prevail, or will we witness a new era in college football?
As we dive into the details, here's a breakdown of the key games, times, and TV channels, ensuring you don't miss a single play. The College Football Playoff Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the National Championship Game are the main events, but the lead-up games are just as crucial, with teams battling for pride and a shot at glory. Who will emerge as the champion, and will it be a familiar face or a new contender?
2025-26 College Football Bowl Game Schedule:
Saturday, Dec. 20
- College Football Playoff First Round:
- No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Miami (Fla.) at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC (Kyle Field, College Station, Texas)
- No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 20 Tulane at 3:30 p.m. ET on TNT, HBO Max, truTV (Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Miss.)
- No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 24 James Madison at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, HBO Max, truTV (Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Ore.)
Monday, Dec. 22
- Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Washington State vs. Utah State at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN (Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho)
Tuesday, Dec. 23
- New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN (Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, La.)
- Frisco Bowl: UNLV vs. Ohio at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN (Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, Texas)
Wednesday, Dec. 24
- Hawai'i Bowl: Cal vs. Hawai'i at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN (Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, Hawai'i)
Friday, Dec. 26
- GameAbove Sports Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Northwestern at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN (Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.)
- First Responder Bowl: FIU vs. UTSA at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN (Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, Texas)
Saturday, Dec. 27
- Pinstripe Bowl: Clemson vs. Penn State at 12 p.m. ET on ABC (Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.)
- Pop-Tarts Bowl: No. 12 BYU vs. No. 22 Georgia Tech at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC (Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Fla.)
Thursday, Jan. 1
- College Football Playoff Quarterfinal: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 9 Alabama at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN, WatchESPN (Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.)
Monday, Jan. 19
- College Football Playoff National Championship Game: at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Fla.)
This schedule is subject to change, and we'll keep you updated as the games unfold. But the real question is: who will you be rooting for, and do you think the rankings will hold up under the pressure of bowl season? Let the debates begin!
