Today, college football fans might be feeling a bit of a void as there are no bowl games airing on either Saturday, January 3, or Sunday, January 4. This is quite a shift from the nearly daily excitement that has characterized the bowl season. While Saturdays are typically filled with college football action, today marks a pause in the festivities. Fans will have to wait until Thursday, January 8, for the next batch of thrilling College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinal games.
The current season has provided ample entertainment, but it’s important to note that the traditional bowl schedule has officially concluded. Only three college football games remain before we enter a lengthy offseason: the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, and the much-anticipated national championship.
For those craving some football action this weekend, the NFL is stepping in to fill the gap. With crucial playoff implications on the line, both Saturday and Sunday feature exciting matchups that are sure to keep fans engaged.
Looking ahead, here's what you need to know about the upcoming college football schedule:
College Football Playoff Schedule: Semifinal Games on January 8-9
The next set of college football games will kick off on Thursday, January 8, with no more traditional bowl games left on the calendar. The remaining contests are all part of the College Football Playoff process, which includes two semifinal matchups followed by the national championship game on Monday, January 19.
Here’s the lineup for these pivotal games:
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|------------|---------------------------------|------------|------------|
| January 8 | Fiesta Bowl: Miami vs. Ole Miss | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| January 9 | Peach Bowl: Oregon vs. Indiana | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| January 19| National Championship | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
NFL Schedule for Saturday, January 3
Despite the lull in college football, the NFL is heating up with its Week 18 slate starting on Saturday, January 3. Fans can enjoy an NFC double-header, making it an excellent alternative for football enthusiasts.
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
|------------|----------------------------------------|------------|------------|
| January 3 | Panthers vs. Buccaneers | 4:30 p.m. | ABC/ESPN |
| January 3 | Seahawks vs. 49ers | 8:00 p.m. | ABC/ESPN |
Updated College Football Playoff Bracket
Let’s take a closer look at the updated College Football Playoff bracket, which showcases the upcoming semifinal matchups. The Fiesta Bowl will see Ole Miss take on Miami at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, January 8, while the Peach Bowl features Indiana squaring off against Oregon on Friday, January 9, also at 7:30 p.m. All three of these crucial games will be broadcasted on ESPN.
When Does the 2026 College Football Season Kick Off?
Once the 2023 national champion is crowned on January 19, fans will eagerly turn their attention to the upcoming 2026 college football season. A few games are already scheduled for Week 0 on August 29, including exciting international matchups where North Carolina will face TCU in Dublin, Ireland, and Virginia will compete against NC State in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The more traditional college football schedule will officially commence on Thursday, September 3, with a full roster of games set for Saturday, September 5. Until then, fans still have a bit more time to savor the thrill of the ongoing college football postseason.
Jonathan Adams, a seasoned sports writer, shares insights and updates on various sports, including the NFL and college football, contributing to well-respected platforms such as NFL.com and CBS Sports.
