Complete Guide to College Football Bowl Season on Sling
You can watch over 40 Bowl Games with Sling, including the College Football Playoff and National Championship. Here’s a preview.
College Football’s Bowl season is here and with the flexible options available only on Sling, you can watch as much or as little as you want.
- Want to check in on your alma mater? Subscribe to a 1-Day Pass and watch just the game you care about.
- Planning a holiday football binge? Get a 3 Day or 7 Day Pass and set your own watch window.
- Want every Bowl Game you can get? Get a monthly subscription with Sling Orange for ESPN, and add Sling Blue or Select to get ABC and FOX in designated markets.
With Sling, watching Bowl Season is simple, unlike the College Football Playoff selection process. Click the button below to subscribe and get the most games possible.
NOTE: With ESPN discontinuing ESPN3 and removing it from Sling and all other TV providers earlier this month, ABC broadcasts will only be available to Sling Blue or Select subscribers in designated markets.
College Football Playoff – National Championship
CFP National Championship Game: No. 10 Miami vs No. 1 Indiana
When: Monday, January 19 – 7:30 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
Where: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
Teams: No. 10 Miami vs No. 1 Indiana
Looking back five months at the 2025 preseason rankings, you’ll see the two teams now playing for the National Championship were ranked 10th (Miami) and 20th (Indiana), respectively. And who could have thought that the preseason No. 20 team in the country would now be in the conversation, in some circles, as one of the greatest college football teams of all time? Yes, the same program that went 3-9 just two years ago and has had only three winning seasons since 1993. Welcome to the portal era, where if you have the right coach and an eye for talent, you can go from doormat to dominance.
In just two seasons at Indiana, Curt Cignetti is beginning to look like the man who could take over the mantle as the next Nick Saban of the sport. Hyperbole or not, this is no disrespect to the Kirby Smart’s, Ryan Day’s, or Dabo Swinney’s of the world. Sustained success in college football is incredibly hard, especially in today’s landscape. Saban won six national titles over 16 years in Tuscaloosa, so we’ll see how the Cignetti era looks a decade from now. But for now, it’s an unprecedented turnaround, and the Hoosiers will face off against a Miami program that went 7–6 just two years ago, losing to Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Head coach Mario Cristobal went 12-13 over his first two years in Coral Gables, but to the administration’s credit, they stuck with him. Cristobal has instilled his tough, physical culture at “The U,” and for the first time since the early 2000s, the Canes look like they’re “back.” It’s a term Cristobal refuses to acknowledge, but watching their elite defense, powerful running game, and electric players like Malachi Toney, it’s hard not to think Miami will be around for a while.
So how will the 2026 College Football National Championship shake out? The game is being played on the Hurricanes’ home field, yet it’s expected there will be more red than orange at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night. The current line shows the Hoosiers as a 7.5-point favorite, and it’s with good reason. Cignetti and his team dismantled Alabama and Oregon en route to the national championship game. They’ve looked like the better-prepared team and have dominated all three phases.
However, the one team that kept it close against Indiana was Ohio State. Miami handled the Buckeyes thanks to a dominant ground game and an elite defense. If Miami is going to have a shot in this game, they’ll have to rely on what got them here: running the football, creating havoc on defense, and Carson Beck continuing to avoid costly mistakes. The Canes have rushed for over 150 yards in every playoff game behind Mark Fletcher and an offensive line with an average weight of 330 pounds.
Defensively, Miami showed some gaps against Ole Miss and Trindidad Chambliss, but who hasn’t? Against Ohio State and Texas A&M, they shut down two offenses that have been excellent all year. As for Carson Beck, he hasn’t had ‘that’ moment where he loses his team a game. He’s been a game manager when needed, while also delivering in big moments, particularly against Ole Miss.
But Indiana has overpowered every opponent and rarely beats itself. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza has more touchdown passes than incompletions in this playoff! The Hoosiers boast a dominant offensive line, along with three relentless running backs Roman Hemby, Kaelon Black, and Khobie Martin, who bring both speed and power. Then there’s the three headed monster at wide receiver: Omar Cooper Jr., Elijah Sarratt, and Charlie Becker. It’s a tall task, even for a defense as capable as Miami’s.
Still, their performance against Ohio State shows there is a path for the Hurricanes, albeit a narrow one. Miami must play a near perfect game, force turnovers, and put pressure on Indiana early. Otherwise, Indiana’s consistency and execution level may simply be too high. From a coaching standpoint, Cristobal has shown over the years that he can make some questionable decisions, while Cignetti leaves no stone unturned.
Either way, on Monday night we’ll see either a first-time National Champion or a long-awaited return to glory more than 20 years in the making.
Complete Bowl Game Schedule
Celebration Bowl: South Carolina State vs. Prairie View A&M
When: Saturday, December 13 – 12:00 pm ET
What Channel: ABC
How to Watch with Sling: Sling Blue or Select only in markets where ABC is available
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
What started in 2015 has become a nice little tradition to kick off bowl season. The Celebration Bowl is always played between the champions of the MEAC and the SWAC, two major conferences for HBCUs. South Carolina State is back for the second year in a row after losing to Jackson State last year, while this is Prairie View A&M’s first appearance in the Celebration Bowl.
Bucked Up Bowl: Boise State vs. Washington
When: Saturday, December 13 – 9pm ET
What Channel: ABC
How to Watch with Sling: Sling Blue or Select only in markets where ABC is available
Where: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California
Make that three years in a row that the Boise State Broncos can call themselves Mountain West champions. They will go up against a Washington Huskies team that had a solid season behind quarterback Demond Williams. He alone is worth the price of admission, and this game should have some fireworks with a late kickoff in Los Angeles. Fun fact: this game used to be called the “Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl” before it was hosted by Rob Gronkowski the last two seasons.
IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl: Troy vs. Jacksonville State
When: Tuesday, December 16 – 9:00pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama
The Salute to Veterans Bowl is played in a stadium that was built all the way back in 1922! The Cramton Bowl will host two teams coming off eight-win seasons. On a Tuesday night with no other football on TV, it’s worth your time to flip this one on and watch Conference USA MVP Cam Cook. The JSU running back rushed for over 1,600 yards this year along with 16 touchdowns.
StaffDNA Cure Bowl: Old Dominion vs. South Florida
When: Wednesday, December 17 – 5pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida
For those not working on the East Coast, you get the joy of being able to watch some bowl season at work! Aside from Sling Day Pass being perfect for that, the Cure Bowl features a USF team that lost its coach, as Alex Golesh is now the head man for the Auburn Tigers. There figures to be a good amount of opt-outs in this one as both of these teams had really great years and players will be entering the transfer portal. But don’t let it fool you – these are the types of bowl games where you can expect the unexpected because of the lack of experience from some of the players. Saddle up; this is peak bowl season.
68 Ventures Bowl: Louisiana vs. Delaware
When: Wednesday, December 17 – 8:30pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama
There’s just something about a school that has a mascot with two words in it. The Ragin’ Cajuns and the Blue Hens are playing in a bowl game notorious for offense. Each of the last five editions of this bowl game has had over 60 points scored. If that’s not enough of a sales pitch, we don’t know what is.
Xbox Bowl: Arkansas State vs. Missouri State
When: Thursday, December 18 – 9:00pm ET
What Channel: ESPN2
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Ford Center in Frisco, Texas
Remember the name Butch Jones? Once the head coach at Cincinnati and Tennessee, Jones has found a home at Arkansas State where he’s finishing up his fifth season. This game should be an offensive shootout, as both defenses rank outside the top 100 in most defensive categories. This is the first year with a new title sponsor.
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan
When: Friday, December 19 – 11:00 a.m. ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Brooks Stadium in Conway, South Carolina
December 19 figures to be a great day for those who have access to a TV during the workday. While we patiently wait for the first round of the College Football Playoff between Oklahoma and Alabama, we get to enjoy a doubleheader on ESPN. First up are two teams who had great seasons, winning their respective conferences. It’s safe to say that both coaches, Jerry Mack and Lance Taylor, will be coaching at bigger programs in the near future, but for the time being, both will try to finish out the season strong with a bowl win in Myrtle Beach.
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl: Memphis vs. NC State
When: Friday, December 19 – 2:30 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida
After starting the season 8–1, Memphis was getting some love as a potential candidate for a spot in the College Football Playoff. But the Tigers lost their last three games to end the season and ultimately lost their coach Ryan Silverfield to Arkansas. Meanwhile, NC State won three of its last four games, which included a huge home win against eighth-ranked Georgia Tech.
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Washington State vs. Utah State
When: Monday, December 22 – 2:00 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho
You just spent the entire weekend watching the College Football Playoff and Week 16 of the NFL season. You’re at work on Monday and feel sluggish. Fear not, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl has come to the rescue. And guess what? It features another school whose coach has been hired by another program. After a really solid season with Washington State, Jimmy Rogers was hired by Iowa State after Matt Campbell’s departure to Penn State. But don’t count out this Cougar team. The 6–6 record doesn’t tell the whole story. This team lost to Ole Miss and Virginia by a total of five points. Wazzu is a proud program, and they will look to finish the season strong.
Bush's Boca Raton Bowl: Louisville vs. Toledo
When: Tuesday, December 23 – 2:00 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Flagler Credit Union Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida
The gift of bowl games during the workday keeps on giving. Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm’s name has been floated around for a multitude of jobs. And with the firing of Sherrone Moore at Michigan, some believe his name could come up again. But in the end, Brohm seems happy at his alma mater. Louisville is a consistent bowl team capable of hanging with the quality opponents – just ask Miami, whose season was rocked by the Cardinals. They’ll play a Toledo team who, you guessed it, has lost their coach to another program. Jason Candle is now the head coach at UConn, but the Rockets will be fired up to play a Power Four opponent.
New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss
When: Tuesday, December 23 – 5:30 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
Do you believe in miracles? If you’re a Southern Miss fan, you do. Last year, the Golden Eagles were 1–11! Now they are coming off a 7–5 season and playing in a bowl game for the first time since 2022. The bad news? Head coach Charles Huff was hired by Memphis. (are you seeing a trend?). They will play a Western Kentucky team that seems to print bowl games, they have been to 11 bowls in the last 12 years.
Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl: UNLV vs. Ohio
When: Tuesday, December 23 – 9:00 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas
If we may, at the surface, you may think “Wow, Ohio vs. UNLV, I can probably skip this one.” We are here to let you know that your Tuesday night can only get better if you watch quarterbacks Parker Navarro and Anthony Colandrea do battle in Frisco. These two QBs are not afraid to use their legs and have a gunslinger mentality. And as you might expect, we have coaching drama in this one, but it’s not because a coach left for another program; it’s because Ohio University coach Brian Smith was fired due to “serious professional misconduct.” Defensive coordinator John Hauser has been named interim head coach for the game against UNLV.
Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl: Cal vs. Hawai‘i
When: Wednesday, December 24 – 8:00 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawai‘i
For the first time since 2019, the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors will play in Honolulu for the Hawai‘i Bowl. The 2021 bowl game was canceled, so it’s great to see Hawai‘i legend Tommy Chang lead his team into this game. Cal fired head coach Justin Wilcox and will go into this game with former Hawai‘i head coach Nick Rolovich. The Rainbow Warriors opened the season with a win against Stanford. It seems almost too fitting for them to end it against the Cardinal’s bitter rival.
GameAbove Sports Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Northwestern
When: Friday, December 26 – 1:00 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan
We have not been shy about our love for afternoon bowl games during the weekday, and on a Friday, no less! Both teams will be motivated in this one, and there is always a little extra juice when you have a MAC team taking on a Power Four opponent. The Chippewas are 7–3 against non-Power Four opponents this year. In the two games against Power Four teams, the Chips lost by a combined score of 108–20. Now, we’re not sure Northwestern has the horses to put up that many points, but this should be a fun game to watch to get your day started.
Rate Bowl: New Mexico vs. Minnesota
When: Friday, December 26 – 4:30 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona
Speaking of smaller programs going up against Power Four teams, the Rate Bowl is actually one of the more intriguing games in the bowl season slate. And that is thanks to the boisterous personalities of both of these coaches. New Mexico’s Jason Eck is a name that has gained some traction in the coaching carousel. He turned a downtrodden Idaho program around, and now in his first year at perennial loser New Mexico, went 9–3. He will have his team fired up to take on a Big Ten opponent. This game will be played at the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, which is always a classic bowl season quirk.
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl: FIU vs. UTSA
When: Friday, December 26 – 8:00 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas
UTSA is a team that was tough to get a read on this season. They showed what they are capable of in wins over Tulane and East Carolina, but then could never capitalize off those huge victories. Quarterback Owen McCown, son of NFL journeyman Josh McCown, is not afraid to throw it all over the yard. FIU is coming into the game hot, having won its last four games of the season.
Go Bowling Military Bowl: Pitt vs. East Carolina
When: Saturday, December 27 – 11:00 a.m. ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland
Things can change quickly in college football. In Week 12, you can beat 16th-ranked Georgia Tech and be a candidate for the College Football Playoff. A week later, you’re losing 38–7 against Miami and are now in the Military Bowl. That is the story of the Pitt Panthers. But the future is bright for Pat Narduzzi’s program. They have a quarterback in Mason Heintschel who had a stellar freshman season.
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl: Clemson vs. Penn State
When: Saturday, December 27 – 12:00 pm ET
What Channel: ABC
How to Watch with Sling: Sling Blue or Select only in markets where ABC is available
Where: Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York
Where to begin in this one? Who would have thought that the preseason ranked No. 2 and No. 4 teams would be meeting in Yankee Stadium in December? The answer is no one. Penn State and Clemson have had seasons they would like to forget. The Nittany Lions fired head coach James Franklin following embarrassing losses to UCLA and Northwestern, while Dabo Swinney and Clemson just don’t have the firepower they used to. These are both still very proud programs, and we don’t think motivation will be an issue, but you have to figure some of the stars from both teams will opt out of putting the jersey on one last time as they look ahead to their NFL careers.
Wasabi Fenway Bowl: UConn vs. Army
When: Saturday, December 27 – 2:15 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts
UConn football used to be one of the worst programs in the entire country. But under coach Jim Mora, the Huskies have been formidable, racking up back-to-back nine-win seasons. Unfortunately, Mora was hired away by Colorado State, and UConn will now lean on quarterback Joe Fagano to lead them to a second straight bowl win.
Pop-Tarts Bowl: BYU vs. Georgia Tech
When: Saturday, December 27 – 3:30 pm ET
What Channel: ABC
How to Watch with Sling: Sling Blue or Select only in markets where ABC is available
Where: Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida
The spirit of bowl season rings no louder than in the heart of the Pop-Tarts Bowl. It is only the third year that the title sponsor has taken over, but it has quickly become one of the most popular, and it’s all thanks to a giant edible Pop-Tart mascot. As for the game, these were two teams that had fantastic seasons and narrowly missed out on the College Football Playoff. Both coaches, Kalani Sitake and Brent Key, don’t seem like the type to let their teams coast into this one. It should be a great game and even better entertainment.
Arizona Bowl: Miami (OH) vs. Fresno State
When: Saturday, December 27 – 4:30 pm ET
What Channel: The CW
Where: Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona
This game is not available on Sling.
Isleta New Mexico Bowl: North Texas vs. San Diego State
When: Saturday, December 27 – 5:45 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico
North Texas was one of the most electric offenses in the country, and had they not lost in the AAC title game, they might have been playing in the College Football Playoff. The Mean Green’s head coach is headed to Oklahoma State and won’t coach in this game. The roster, and most importantly, star quarterback Drew Mestemaker’s status is up in the air. Meanwhile, San Diego State quietly put together a really solid second season under head coach Sean Lewis. The former Colorado offensive coordinator has the Aztecs back where they belong: in bowl games. This will be a big game for him to keep momentum going as the program joins the Pac-12 next year.
TaxSlayer Gator Bowl: Missouri vs. Virginia
When: Saturday, December 27 – 7:30 pm ET
What Channel: ABC
How to Watch with Sling: Sling Blue or Select only in markets where ABC is available
Where: EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida
The Virginia Cavaliers were one game away from being a participant in this year’s College Football Playoff. The loss in the ACC Championship was a tough pill to swallow for Tony Elliott’s team, but they should be proud of the season they had. It was the first 10-win season for the ‘Hoos since 1989, and now they’ll get a date with Eli Drinkwitz’s pesky Missouri Tigers. Missouri was one of the most dangerous teams on the ground behind running back Ahmad Hardy. Elliott will need to get his team fired up for a great opportunity against an SEC opponent. The loss to Duke in the conference championship ensured that the ACC became the first Power Four conference where the champion did not make the playoff.
Kinder's Texas Bowl: LSU vs. Houston
When: Saturday, December 27 – 9:15 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas
The LSU season has played out like a true soap opera. The Tigers were one of the top-ranked teams in the preseason. Fast forward four months, they went through the dramatic firing of Brian Kelly, which also led to the firing of athletic director Scott Woodward. At one point, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry was in the headlines talking about LSU football. But in the end, the Bayou Bengals got their man: Lane Kiffin was hired, and the fanbase probably just wants this season to end. As for the Houston Cougars, head coach Willie Fritz is on the cusp of a 10-win season. He won’t care that it’s a downtrodden LSU team. A win against LSU in a bowl game can propel this Houston program into 2026.
JLab Birmingham Bowl: Georgia Southern vs. App State
When: Monday, December 29 – 2:00 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama
The 5–7 Appalachian State Mountaineers are going bowling! And to be honest, we respect them stepping up to the plate to play Georgia Southern when other programs who qualified declined. It is a little odd with both teams being from the Sun Belt, but nonetheless we’ll have football to flip on while we suffer a case of the Mondays with New Year’s right around the corner.
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech
When: Tuesday, December 30 – 2:00 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana
It’s unfortunate that most of the publicity from this game hasn’t been about the actual game being played. Chair of the Independence Bowl Sarah Giglio spoke out following a social media post that claimed teams rejected the bowl bid because the game is held in Shreveport. These are the ramifications when several teams declined bowl bids despite qualifying. The Big 12 even fined Kansas State and Iowa State $500,000 each for exactly that. With that said, Louisiana Tech is practically getting a pseudo–home game here and should be able to handle the Chanticleers, who fired head coach Tim Beck.
Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl: Tennessee vs. Illinois
When: Tuesday, December 30 – 5:30 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee
We may get some fireworks in the Music City Bowl! These two 8-4 teams may have different shades of orange, but they share a lot of the same qualities. Both have explosive offenses and rank in the upper tier in their conferences for points per game. They both also rank near the bottom of their conferences in total defense. With the game being in Nashville, there will be a big Volunteer contingent in Nissan Stadium. But this game is what bowl season is about for fans. Who wouldn’t want to go to Nashville to root on their school right before New Year’s Eve?
Alamo Bowl: USC vs. TCU
When: Tuesday, December 30 – 9:00 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
The Alamo Bowl is one of the bowl games that actually garners some of the highest attendance outside of the College Football Playoff games. If history repeats itself, then TCU’s attendance in this game means we are in for an electric game in San Antonio. The last two times the Horned Frogs played in the Alamo Bowl, they mounted insane comebacks en route to a win. The first was in 2016 against Oregon when they came back from a 31-0 deficit to win 47-41. The next was the following year when they overcame a 21-3 hole to win 39-37 against Stanford. So, we’re not saying that this game is going to be a barn burner, but we are also saying that this game is going to be a barn burner.
ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa vs. Vanderbilt
When: Wednesday, December 31 – 12:00 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida
Objectively, it was a shame that Vanderbilt didn’t get into the College Football Playoff. But the reality is the right decision was made, despite the program having its best season ever. The good news: it’s almost a certainty that we will get another game to watch quarterback Diego Pavia. The Heisman hopeful is electric, and now that the Commodores locked down head coach Clark Lea, they can get ready for the future. The program flipped five-star quarterback Jared Curtis from Georgia during the early signing window. Yes, you read that right; Vanderbilt is flipping recruits from Georgia. They’ll go up against an Iowa team that is the standard for consistency. Since 2015, Kirk Ferentz’s team has won at least eight games every year except for once.
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: Arizona State vs. Duke
When: Wednesday, December 31 – 2:00 pm ET
What Channel: CBS
Where: Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas
This game is not available on Sling. But we think all James Madison fans should be required to watch and root for Duke.
Citrus Bowl: Texas vs. Michigan
When: Wednesday, December 31 – 3:00 pm ET
What Channel: ABC
How to Watch with Sling: Sling Blue or Select only in markets where ABC is available
Where: Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida
The Texas Longhorns opened the season against the Ohio State Buckeyes, and now they will close the season playing the Michigan Wolverines. Steve Sarkisian did his best to campaign for Texas to earn a bid to the Playoff but came up empty, and rightly so. The Longhorns have three losses, two of which came from the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked teams in the country. But the loss to Florida was impossible to overcome, even with the impressive win over Texas A&M to end the season. Unfortunately, most of the headlines surrounding this game will be about the shocking firing of head coach Sherrone Moore due to inappropriate behavior with a staff member. Moore was detained by police, and Biff Poggi will serve as the interim coach. Either way, it’s the meeting of two massive programs and should be one to watch as we settle in for an epic day of college football.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl: Nebraska vs. Utah
When: Wednesday, December 31 – 3:30 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada
Things in Nebraska started off hot this season. The team ran out to a 5-1 start with its only loss coming against Michigan in a game where they actually outplayed the Wolverines. But a 2-3 finish, along with a season-ending injury to quarterback Dillon Riola, has fans feeling uneasy. Rumors have been swirling that Riola will enter the portal after his brother decommitted from the program, and it has only gotten louder after his uncle was fired as offensive line coach. As for Utah, longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham recently announced that this will be his final game coaching the Utes. Whittingham has had an incredible career leading a program that has been as consistent as they come, so expect his players to bring a little extra to the game as they attempt to send their coach off with a win. The Utes longtime defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley will take over in 2026.
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Rice vs. Texas State
When: Friday, January 2 – 1pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas
We’ve got a couple of Texas schools doing battle in Fort Worth in the Armed Forces Bowl. Rice finished the season 5-7 and was the beneficiary of teams opting out of bowl season. But head coach Scott Abell will take the extra practices he can get. He’s in his first year at Rice, and the Owls’ schedule featured eight teams that ended up in bowl games. Texas State is coming into this one having won its last three games to gain bowl eligibility.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl: Navy vs. Cincinnati
When: Friday, January 2 – 4:30pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee
Cincinnati had a rough end to the season. The Bearcats lost four straight games to end the year after starting 7-1. That is not the formula you are looking for when you are going up against a Navy team that has won six of its last seven bowl games. The quarterback play here will be fun to watch, as both have the ability to carry their teams. A fun fact about the Liberty Bowl: it’s the only bowl game to have been played in three cities, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and finally Memphis, where it has been played since 1965.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Wake Forest vs Mississippi State
When: Friday, January 2 – 8pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Simmons Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina
This game has become one of the darlings of bowl season. The Duke’s Mayo Bowl spilled onto the scene in 2020, replacing the Belk Bowl, and it is now one of the most popular games. This is all because the winning team gets to dump a giant bucket of mayo on their head coach. That also doesn’t include the copious amounts of mayo being deleted by the crowd and even the commentators during the game. But let’s talk about the game itself. The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are in their first year under coach Jake Dickert, and the vibes are positive in Winston-Salem. The team was picked to finish last in the ACC preseason poll, but in the end Dickert’s 8 wins is the winningest first year head coach in Wake history. The Deacs upset 14th-ranked Virginia and were a blown offside call away from upsetting 16th-ranked Georgia Tech. But these aren’t the Demon Deacons you remember. Once a program known for a high octane offense and the slow mesh under Dave Clawson, are now winning games with defense under Dickert. They’ll play a Mississippi State team that also made big strides in the second season under coach Jeff Lebby. The Bulldogs have talent, and will take full advantage of getting a bowl invite as a 5 win team. This is a momentum game for both programs heading into the offseason. And don’t forget the mayo.
Trust & Will Holiday Bowl: Arizona vs SMU
When: Friday, January 2 – 8pm ET
What Channel: FOX
How to Watch with Sling: Sling Blue or Select only in markets where FOX is available
Where: Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California
These are two programs with really solid quarterbacks and talent on both sides of the ball. We’ll need to keep an eye on opt-outs, but this should be a solid matchup. There is an alternate universe where the Ponies are back in the College Football Playoff for a second straight season. But an extremely disappointing loss to end the season against Cal kept Rhett Lashley’s team out of the ACC title game. Lashley will try to motivate his team to bounce back, and it starts with QB Kevin Jennings. For Arizona, Noah Fifita is as experienced as it gets, and Arizona has been in games all season.
College Football Playoff: First Round
No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma
When: Friday, December 19 – 8:00 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN/ABC
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma
Score: Alabama 34 - Oklahoma 24
The first game of the first round of the College Football Playoff is arguably the most intriguing of the bunch. Just one month ago, Alabama and head coach Kalen DeBoer lost to the Sooners 23-21 in Tuscaloosa. Now the rematch is set in Norman and features an elite Oklahoma defensive unit going up against an Alabama offense that has been inconsistent. Alabama will hope to get some players back from injury, but the key in this game is the Oklahoma offense, which continues to scrape by with lackluster performances. Quarterback John Mateer and wide receiver Isaiah Sategna have come through when the team needs them but have struggled at times. A night playoff game in Norman, Oklahoma is must-see TV.
No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M
When: Saturday, December 20 – 12:00 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN/ABC
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Kyle Field in College Station, Texas
Score: Miami 10 - Texas A&M 3
It’s a dream come true for Texas A&M fans everywhere that their beloved Aggies have finally made the College Football Playoff. And for it to come with a home game at Kyle Field? They’re ecstatic. Sure, they would have loved to beat Texas and make it to the SEC Championship, but this isn’t a terrible consolation. A&M went the entire season undefeated before that hiccup against their hated rival, and since then, the college football community has pointed out that A&M’s strong SEC record comes at the hands of playing all the teams in the lower half of the conference. Yes, the Aggies avoided the top seven teams in the SEC; they did not play Georgia, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, or Tennessee this season and lost to Texas. So, there is some chatter about how “real” Mike Elko’s team is. On the flip side, you have Miami, a team that “snuck” into the playoff over Notre Dame. The fallout has mostly brought more attention to the Fighting Irish than the Hurricanes, and head coach Mario Cristobal is fine with that. Quarterback Carson Beck will look to show the world that he still is a top quarterback in the country, but he will have to cut down on his turnovers. Similarly, A&M quarterback Marcel Reed has shown that he too can suffer from turnovers. Both teams have elite defenses, so this one is going to be a must-watch.
No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 20 Tulane
When: Saturday, December 20 – 3:30 pm ET
What Channel: TNT
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi
Score: Ole Miss 41 - Tulane 10
Ole Miss and Tulane is the second first-round game that is a rematch from the regular season. The Rebels easily handled the Green Wave 45–10 in Oxford back in September. But that was when Lane Kiffin was coaching the Rebs. The polarizing coach is now the head coach at LSU and left the Ole Miss program in typical Lane Kiffin fashion: with oodles of drama. Kiffin hoped he would be able to coach Ole Miss after taking the LSU job, but that was not something the athletic department was ever going to approve. Now with the dust settled, Kiffin has allowed his offensive coaching staff to return to Oxford to coach the remainder of the CFP. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding was named permanent head coach, and the Rebs are ready to make a run behind electric quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. On the flip side for Tulane, their coach is allowed to coach the Green Wave despite being hired by the University of Florida two weeks ago. Jon Sumrall is doing double duty and passed the first test by winning the American Conference, securing the Green Wave a spot in the playoff. They are currently 17.5-point underdogs.
No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 24 James Madison
When: Saturday, December 20 – 7:30 pm ET
What Channel: TNT
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon
Score: Oregon 51 - James Madison 34
It’s the year 2025 and we have two G5 schools in the College Football Playoff. This is no slight to James Madison, but rules are rules, and the Dukes were one of the five highest-ranked conference champions. They too are a program whose coach was hired by another program. But UCLA has allowed Bob Chesney to coach JMU through the playoff, and most college football prognosticators believe that will not extend past Saturday. To put it simply, Oregon is a wagon and has a talent advantage all over the field. Is there a chance we get some 2007 Boise State - Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl magic? Probably not.
Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: No. 10 Miami vs No. 2 Ohio State
When: Wednesday, December 31 – 7:30 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
Where: AT&T Stadium (Cotton Bowl) in Arlington, Texas
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
It’s been 14 years since The Ohio State University and “The U” last met on the gridiron. It was a home-and-home series that the two schools split, though the game won by the Buckeyes in Columbus was later vacated due to sanctions stemming from Terrelle Pryor’s “Tattoogate” scandal. Since then, Ohio State has won two national titles and remained a consistent contender, while Miami has cycled through four coaching staffs. However, Mario Cristobal, a Miami native and alumni has brought stability back to the program. He has racked up back-to-back 10-win seasons and will be looking for the biggest victory of his coaching career on New Year’s Eve. The Canes are coming off an elite defensive performance against Texas A&M and will hope to replicate that showing against Ohio State in Jerry World. However, defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, will have his work cut out for him. A&M had offensive firepower, but the Buckeyes are a different animal, boasting wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Miami’s defense will look to what Indiana did to stifle the Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship Game, but they’ll need help from the offense. Carson Beck struggled against A&M, with most of the team’s success coming on the ground behind Mark Fletcher Jr.’s 172 rushing yards. The Hurricanes need to find ways to get freshman phenom Malachi Toney involved and hope the offensive line continues to open holes for Fletcher. The challenge is that Ohio State’s defense is even better than the unit Miami just faced in College Station. Led by coordinator Matt Patricia and standouts like Caleb Downs and Arvell Reese, the Buckeyes allow just 8.2 points per game and 213 yards per game. Miami will need to win the turnover battle and get a stronger performance from the kicking game. Prior to a three miss outing in A&M thanks to windy conditions, Carter Davis had missed only two kicks all season. Ohio State did struggle offensively against Indiana last time out and will now face a strong Miami defensive unit. One wrinkle from the regular season to keep an eye on is that head coach Ryan Day will take over offensive play-calling duties. Offensive coordinator Brian Hartline is balancing his role while serving as the new head coach at USF and Day said they wanted to take some things off his plate. This game has plenty of juice and is a great way to close out 2025.
Capital One Orange Bowl: No. 5 Oregon vs No. 4 Texas Tech
When: Thursday, January 1 – 12:00 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
Where: Hard Rock Stadium (Orange Bowl) in Miami Gardens, Florida
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
You don’t have to go back very far to find the last time these two teams met. Just two years ago, these programs delivered an absolute barnburner in Lubbock, with Oregon outscoring Texas Tech 20–3 in the fourth quarter to secure a 38–30 win. The quarterbacks in that game were Bo Nix and Tyler Shough, both of whom are now NFL starters. This time around, it’ll be Oregon’s Dante Moore against Texas Tech’s Behren Morton. These teams share a lot of similarities on both sides of the ball, and as of this writing, the Ducks are 1.5-point favorites. Both programs have significant resources and have tapped into NIL opportunities, though Texas Tech has used it more. The Red Raiders have spent over $28 million on their roster, thanks in large part to billionaire Cody Campbell. But this isn’t the Texas Tech of years past. They boast a defense that flies around, forces turnovers, and ranks No. 1 in the Big 12. That unit is led by Jacob Rodriguez, a do-it-all linebacker with a strong nose for the football. Offensively, Texas Tech is difficult to game-plan against because of its depth. Running backs Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams form a strong one-two punch, and the Red Raiders also feature three wide receivers and a tight end with over 500 receiving yards and five touchdowns each. Oregon similarly likes to spread the ball around and can deploy as many as four running backs, while also getting healthier in the wide receiver room. This matchup feels like it will come down to which quarterback can make the most plays. Oregon’s defense has shown some vulnerability at times this season, but overall has been a strong unit. This is far and away the best team Texas Tech has faced this year, and it will be fascinating to see how their talent stacks up against Oregon.
Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential: No. 1 Indiana vs No. 9 Alabama
When: Thursday, January 1 – 4:00 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
Where: Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
The Granddaddy of Them All! This year’s Rose Bowl features two programs whose histories could not be more different. On one side, you have the Alabama Crimson Tide, who claim 18 national championships, including six in the last 15 years, a true blue blood of the sport that, despite what some fans believe, remains a legitimate threat under head coach Kalen DeBoer. On the other side is Indiana, a program with zero national titles that was once a perennial doormat in the Big Ten. Now, under head coach Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers are in the College Football Playoff for a second consecutive year, this time as the No. 1 seed. Yet in this specific matchup, despite being a 6.5-point favorite, when those two logos face off in Pasadena, Indiana will feel like the underdog. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza will go up against a formidable Alabama defense that was opportunistic against Oklahoma in the first round. On its day, the Tide’s defense can be one of the best in the country—just look at its performance in Athens against Georgia. But it can also be vulnerable, as shown in the SEC Championship Game against the Bulldogs. Because of that, it will be up to Mendoza to continue Indiana’s low-mistake brand of football. Indiana can run the ball and throw to a solid group of receivers led by Omar Cooper and Elijah Sarratt, but defense is where the Hoosiers truly shine. In wins against playoff teams Oregon and Ohio State, the defense consistently put opposing offenses in long down-and-distance situations and forced turnovers. Unfortunately, their best defensive player, Stephen Daley, suffered a season-ending injury during the postgame celebration of the Big Ten Championship. Still, this is a defense that knows what Alabama will throw at it. The Tide have struggled mightily to run the ball and often require quarterback Ty Simpson to win with his arm. It’s a risky formula that affords zero margin for error. But as shown in Norman,Oklahoma this is a team that still has playmakers. There’s a reason the Hoosiers are favored: they are the better team from top to bottom, a sentence we never thought we’d write. But don’t count out Alabama. Kalen DeBoer’s team will have plenty of bulletin-board material as it looks to show the college football world that it is still a top dog.
Allstate Sugar Bowl: No. 6 Ole Miss vs No.3 Georgia
When: Thursday, January 1 – 8:00 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
Where: Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana
How to Watch with Sling: Subscribe to a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass or Sling Orange
The last game of what promises to be an epic day of college football. Ole Miss already had a rematch against a regular season opponent in the first round. The Runnin’ Rebels followed up their 45–10 regular-season win over Tulane with a 41–10 victory in Oxford and now will look to flip the script from their first meeting against Georgia. In one of the more entertaining games of the season, Georgia outlasted Ole Miss despite the Rebels scoring a touchdown on their first five possessions. This time around, Ole Miss will be without head coach Lane Kiffin, who is now in Baton Rouge leading the LSU program. However, in the game against Tulane, the Rebels didn’t miss a beat. They jumped out to a fast start and rode a solid running game behind one of the nations best backs in Kewan Lacey, strong defense, and a steady performance from quarterback Trindidad Chambliss. They’ll now face a Georgia team that appears to be peaking at the right time. Since their loss to Alabama, the Bulldogs have rattled off nine straight wins, and what’s most impressive is the variety of ways they’ve secured those victories. Kirby Smart has built a program centered on toughness and discipline, and this team embodies both. They never give up and consistently find ways to get the job done when it matters most. Just look back at their game against Ole Miss. The defense was getting carved up by Chambliss early, but when the fourth quarter began, the unit flipped the switch. The Bulldogs allowed just 13 total yards in the entire quarter, on their way to a 43–35 win in which they outscored Ole Miss 17–0 in the final quarter. Quarterback Gunnar Stockton is proving he can be the kind of playmaker Stetson Bennett was during Georgia’s back-to-back national championship runs. The Bulldogs may also have benefited more than anyone from the time off, as they are expected to get several key players back from injury, including wide receiver Colbie Young. This matchup has the highest total of all the quarterfinal games, with the over/under set at 55.5. Playing at a neutral site, this game should feature an electric atmosphere down in New Orleans.
College Football Playoff: Semifinals
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
When: Thursday, January 8 – 7:30 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
Where: State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
Teams: No. 10 Miami Hurricanes vs. No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels
Raise your hand if you had both Miami and Ole Miss making the College Football Playoff Semifinal. Unless you got your degree at one or both of these schools, we doubt your arm is still up. Many people (especially those in Northern Indiana) predicted the Hurricanes wouldn’t even survive their first round road game against Texas A&M, much less become the biggest underdog winners in CFP history in their defeat of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Yet here we are, with Miami turning the clock back 25 years to a time when they regularly played for National Championships.
As for the Ole Miss Rebels, you’d have to go back even further for their glory years, even before the original patriarch of the Manning family was slinging passes for the ‘Rebs. And despite their head coach Lane Kiffin jumping ship to LSU, Ole Miss is now one game from their first championship appearance in more than 60 years. After losing a heartbreaker to Georgia in the regular season, Ole Miss got their revenge in an instant classic at the Sugar Bowl, overcoming a 21-12 halftime deficit to stun the Bulldogs 39-34. Transfer QB Trinidad Chambliss threw for 362 yards in the win, which was clinched with a clutch field goal with just six seconds remaining. Both these teams are exceeding expectations, and with a close 3-point line set for the game, we should be in for a thrilling Semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl.
Chick-fila-A Peach Peach Bowl
When: Friday, January 9 – 7:30 pm ET
What Channel: ESPN
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
Teams: No. 5 Oregon Ducks vs. No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers
The reconfigured Big Ten takes the spotlight in the second College Football Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. In their second year playing in the Big Ten, the Oregon Ducks have already won twice as many playoff games as last year, when they were eliminated from the 12-team tournament in the quarterfinal. Oregon steamrolled an outmanned James Madison team in the first round, then shut out the Texas Tech Red Raiders 23-0 in the Orange Bowl. The Ducks are playing with a ton of confidence in search of their first national championship, and they’ll need to maintain their swagger as they head into a rematch against the only team that beat them this season, the Indiana Hoosiers.
Unfortunately for Oregon, the top-ranked Hoosiers – the only undefeated team in the country – are also entering the Semifinal with a full head of steam. In the Rose Bowl, they completely humiliated Alabama in a 38-3 victory, handing the Crimson Tide their worst loss in the program’s storied Bowl history. Heisman trophy winner Fernando Mendoza was an efficient 14-of-16 passing and Indiana rushed for 215 yards while holding Alabama to just 23 yards on the ground. Everything is clicking for Indiana, even as the comical stoicism of their coach Curt Cignetti turned him into the first meme of 2026. Indiana earned a closer-than-it-looks 30-20 road win over Oregon when they played on Oct. 11, and this game should be another tight battle between two teams that are fast becoming the Big Ten’s hottest new rivalry.
FAQs
The current odds via DraftKings (as of 12/9) on the First Round Playoff games are as follows:
Alabama -1.5 vs. Oklahoma
Texas A&M -3.5 vs Miami
Ole Miss -17.5 vs Tulane
Oregon -21.5 vs James Madison