Get ready for the ultimate showdown: the 2025-26 college football bowl season kicks off with a bang on December 13, promising thrilling matchups, high-stakes drama, and unforgettable moments that could redefine the college gridiron landscape. But here's where it gets controversial—do these bowl games truly crown the best teams, or are they just glorified exhibitions? Let's dive in and explore every detail, from the early skirmishes to the crowning championship clash.
We're talking about the comprehensive schedule for the 2025-26 college football bowl games, complete with scores as they unfold, TV broadcast details, and essential matchup intel. This bowl extravaganza stretches from Saturday, December 13, all the way through the College Football Playoff national title game on Monday, January 19. And the real kicker? This guide will stay updated as more bowl pairings get announced—check back on Sunday, December 7, for the latest buzz.
To make this easy for newcomers, think of bowl games as postseason tournaments where teams from different conferences clash in exciting, one-off contests. They're not always playoff qualifiers, but they add flair to the season's end. Now, onto the action—all times are Eastern Time for your planning pleasure.
Kicking things off on Saturday, December 13:
Celebration Bowl: South Carolina State takes on Prairie View A&M at 12 p.m. on ABC, hosted at the vibrant Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
LA Bowl: Boise State faces off against Washington at 8 p.m. on ABC, with SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, serving as the electric backdrop. For those new to this, the LA Bowl often features teams from the Mountain West and Pac-12, showcasing West Coast talent.
Moving to Tuesday, December 16:
- Salute to Veterans Bowl: Troy battles Jacksonville State at 9 p.m. on ESPN, in the historic Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama. This game's name honors our veterans, making it more than just football—it's a tribute.
Wednesday, December 17 brings:
Cure Bowl: Old Dominion squares up against South Florida at 5 p.m. on ESPN, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. These bowls often tie into charities, like cancer research, adding a meaningful layer.
68 Ventures Bowl: Louisiana goes head-to-head with Delaware at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN, in Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, Alabama. It's a classic Group of 5 matchup, where mid-majors shine.
Thursday, December 18:
- Xbox Bowl: Arkansas State versus Missouri State at 9 p.m. on ESPN2, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. Sponsored by gaming giants, this one attracts a younger crowd.
Friday, December 19 heats up:
Myrtle Beach Bowl: Kennesaw State clashes with Western Michigan at 11 a.m. on ESPN, in Brooks Stadium, Conway, South Carolina.
Gasparilla Bowl: Memphis takes on NC State at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. For beginners, these are often the first bowls of the weekend, setting the tone.
College Football Playoff First Round Game: No. 8 Oklahoma versus No. 9 Alabama at 8 p.m. on ESPN and ABC, in Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma. This is playoff territory now—think bracket-style eliminations leading to glory.
Saturday, December 20 continues the playoff intensity:
College Football Playoff First Round Game: No. 7 Texas A&M against No. 10 Miami (Fla.) at 12 p.m. on ESPN and ABC, at Kyle Field, College Station, Texas.
College Football Playoff First Round Game: No. 6 Ole Miss battles No. 20 Tulane at 3:30 p.m. on TNT and HBO Max, in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Mississippi.
College Football Playoff First Round Game: No. 5 Oregon versus No. 24 James Madison at 7:30 p.m. on TNT and HBO Max, at Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon. And this is the part most people miss: these early playoff rounds can shake up the rankings, proving that underdogs can roar.
Monday, December 22:
- Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Washington State competes with Utah State at 2 p.m. on ESPN, in Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho. Potatoes and football—what a combo!
Tuesday, December 23:
New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky faces Southern Miss at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. This venue's history makes it legendary.
Frisco Bowl: UNLV goes up against Ohio at 9 p.m. on ESPN, at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Wednesday, December 24:
- Hawai'i Bowl: Cal challenges Hawai'i at 8 p.m. on ESPN, in Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, Hawai'i. Aloha spirit on the field!
Friday, December 26:
GameAbove Sports Bowl: Central Michigan versus Northwestern at 1 p.m. on ESPN, in Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan.
Rate Bowl: New Mexico takes on Minnesota at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN, in Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona. Indoor baseball stadiums host football sometimes—talk about versatility.
First Responder Bowl: FIU battles UTSA at 8 p.m. on ESPN, in Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, Texas. Honoring heroes in uniform.
Saturday, December 27:
Military Bowl: Pitt clashes with East Carolina at 11 a.m. on ESPN, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland.
Pinstripe Bowl: Clemson faces Penn State at 12 p.m. on ABC, in Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York. Iconic venue alert!
Fenway Bowl: UConn versus Army at 2:15 p.m. on ESPN, in Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts. Baseball's hallowed ground for football?
Pop-Tarts Bowl: No. 12 BYU against No. 22 Georgia Tech at 3:30 p.m. on ABC, in Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida.
Arizona Bowl: Miami (OH) competes with Fresno State at 4:30 p.m. on The CW Network, in Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona.
New Mexico Bowl: UNT versus San Diego State at 5:45 p.m. on ESPN, in University Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Gator Bowl: Missouri takes on No. 19 Virginia at 7:30 p.m. on ABC, in EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida.
Texas Bowl: LSU battles Houston at 9:15 p.m. on ESPN, in NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas.
Monday, December 29:
- Birmingham Bowl: [Details to be announced]
Tuesday, December 30:
Independence Bowl: Coastal Carolina versus Louisiana Tech at 2 p.m. on ESPN, in Independence Stadium, Shreveport, Louisiana.
Music City Bowl: Tennessee faces Illinois at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN, in Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee.
Alamo Bowl: No. 16 Southern Cal against TCU at 9 p.m. on ESPN, in the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas.
Wednesday, December 31:
ReliaQuest Bowl: No. 23 Iowa battles No. 14 Vanderbilt at 12 p.m. on ESPN, in Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida.
Sun Bowl: Arizona State versus Duke at 2 p.m. on CBS, in the Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas.
Citrus Bowl: No. 13 Texas takes on No. 18 Michigan at 3 p.m. on ABC, in Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida.
Las Vegas Bowl: Nebraska competes with No. 15 Utah at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN, in Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada.
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal: No. 2 Ohio State faces the winner of No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Miami (Fla.) at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN and WatchESPN, at AT&T Stadium (Cotton Bowl), Arlington, Texas.
Thursday, January 1:
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal: No. 4 Texas Tech versus the winner of No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 24 James Madison at 12 p.m. on ESPN and WatchESPN, at Hard Rock Stadium (Orange Bowl), Miami Gardens, Florida.
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal: No. 1 Indiana against the winner of No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama at 4 p.m. on ESPN and WatchESPN, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal: No. 3 Georgia battles the winner of No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 20 Tulane at 8 p.m. on ESPN and WatchESPN, at Caesars Superdome (Sugar Bowl), New Orleans, Louisiana.
Friday, January 2:
Armed Forces Bowl: Texas State versus Rice at 1 p.m. on ESPN, in Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas.
Liberty Bowl: Navy faces Cincinnati at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN, in Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee.
Duke's Mayo Bowl: Mississippi State takes on Wake Forest at 8 p.m. on ESPN, in Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Holiday Bowl: Arizona versus SMU at 8 p.m. on FOX, in Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, California.
Thursday, January 8:
- College Football Playoff Semifinal: 7:30 p.m. on ESPN, at State Farm Stadium (Fiesta Bowl), Glendale, Arizona.
Friday, January 9:
- College Football Playoff Semifinal: 7:30 p.m. on ESPN, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Peach Bowl), Atlanta, Georgia.
Monday, January 19:
- College Football Playoff National Championship Game: 7:30 p.m. on ESPN, at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida.
To wrap up the historical context, here's a full rundown of College Football Playoff scores and outcomes from its debut in 2014. These results highlight the drama and upsets that have defined the modern era—think nail-biting finishes and legendary comebacks.
College Football Playoff: Scores and Results
2014 Season
- Rose Bowl: No. 2 Oregon dominated with a 59-20 victory over No. 3 Florida State.
- Sugar Bowl: No. 4 Ohio State edged out No. 1 Alabama 42-35.
- CFP National Championship Game: No. 4 Ohio State claimed the title, beating No. 2 Oregon 42-20.
2015 Season
- Orange Bowl: No. 1 Clemson powered past No. 4 Oklahoma 37-17.
- Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Alabama shut out No. 3 Michigan State 38-0.
- CFP National Championship Game: No. 2 Alabama triumphed over No. 1 Clemson 45-40.
2016 Season
- Fiesta Bowl: No. 2 Clemson blanked No. 3 Ohio State 31-0.
- Peach Bowl: No. 1 Alabama defeated No. 4 Washington 24-7.
- CFP National Championship Game: No. 2 Clemson won against No. 1 Alabama 35-31.
2017 Season
- Rose Bowl: No. 3 Georgia outlasted No. 2 Oklahoma 54-48 in double overtime.
- Sugar Bowl: No. 4 Alabama crushed No. 1 Clemson 24-6.
- CFP National Championship Game: No. 4 Alabama prevailed over No. 3 Georgia 26-23 in overtime.
2018 Season
- Orange Bowl: No. 1 Alabama overwhelmed No. 4 Oklahoma 45-34.
- Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Clemson routed No. 3 Notre Dame 30-3.
- CFP National Championship Game: No. 2 Clemson conquered No. 1 Alabama 44-16.
2019 Season
- Peach Bowl: No. 1 LSU demolished No. 4 Oklahoma 63-28.
- Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Clemson edged No. 2 Ohio State 29-23.
- CFP National Championship Game: No. 1 LSU secured the crown with a 42-25 win over No. 3 Clemson.
2020 Season
- Rose Bowl: No. 1 Alabama bested No. 4 Notre Dame 31-14.
- Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Ohio State thrashed No. 2 Clemson 49-28.
- CFP National Championship Game: No. 1 Alabama dominated No. 3 Ohio State 52-24.
2021 Season
- Cotton Bowl: No. 1 Alabama handled No. 4 Cincinnati 27-6.
- Orange Bowl: No. 3 Georgia defeated No. 2 Michigan 34-11.
- CFP National Championship Game: No. 3 Georgia won the title, upsetting No. 1 Alabama 33-18.
2022 Season
- Peach Bowl: No. 1 Georgia edged No. 4 Ohio State 42-41.
- Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 TCU outscored No. 2 Michigan 51-45.
- CFP National Championship Game: No. 1 Georgia romped over No. 3 TCU 65-7.
2023 Season
- Rose Bowl: No. 1 Michigan topped No. 4 Alabama 27-20.
- Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Washington prevailed over No. 3 Texas 37-31.
- CFP National Championship Game: No. 1 Michigan claimed victory against No. 2 Washington 34-13.
2024 Season
First Round (Dec. 20-21)
- Friday, Dec. 20: No. 7 Notre Dame defeated No. 10 Indiana 27-17.
- Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 6 Penn State outplayed No. 11 SMU 38-10.
- Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 5 Texas overcame No. 12 Clemson 38-24.
- Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 8 Ohio State trounced No. 9 Tennessee 17-42.
Quarterfinals (Dec. 31-Jan. 1)
- Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Penn State beat No. 3 Boise State 31-14.
- Peach Bowl: No. 5 Texas won over No. 4 Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime.
- Rose Bowl: No. 8 Ohio State defeated No. 1 Oregon 41-21.
- Sugar Bowl: No. 7 Notre Dame upset No. 2 Georgia 23-10.
Semifinals (Jan. 9-10)
- Orange Bowl: No. 7 Notre Dame edged No. 6 Penn State 27-24.
- Cotton Bowl: No. 8 Ohio State outlasted No. 5 Texas 28-14.
CFP National Championship: No. 8 Ohio State clinched the title with a 34-23 win over No. 7 Notre Dame at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
There you have it—a complete, easy-to-follow guide to the 2025-26 bowl season, spiced up with some historical flair. But here's the controversy: Is the College Football Playoff selection process fair, or does it unfairly favor certain conferences? And do bowl games dilute the regular season's intensity? What do you think—should the playoff expand, or is the current format just right? Drop your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear your hot takes and debates!
