2025-26 College Football Bowl Game Results and Highlights
As the 2025-26 college football season wraps up, fans are in for a wild ride with a jam-packed lineup of bowl games. This year’s schedule kicked off on December 13 and runs through January 2, and it’s honestly been a treat for anyone who loves the sport.
Every game seems to have something at stake, and the whole thing leads up to the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship on January 19 in Miami Gardens, Florida. There’s been everything you could want—comebacks, blowouts, and a few jaw-dropping moments you just don’t see coming.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s been going on and which games have really stood out so far.
Contents
Overview of the 2025-26 College Football Bowl Schedule
Bowl season always brings a certain buzz, doesn’t it? This year feels even bigger, with a string of games that seem to outdo each other in excitement.
It all started on December 13 with the Cricket Celebration Bowl. The action keeps rolling until the big finale at the CFP National Championship on January 19.
Key Dates and Matchups
The schedule’s spread out over several weeks, so there’s barely a day without football. Some games just jump off the calendar:
- December 13: Cricket Celebration Bowl – South Carolina State 40, Prairie View A&M 38 (4OT)
- January 1: Rose Bowl – Indiana 38, Alabama 3
- January 9: Peach Bowl (CFP Semifinal) – Indiana 56, Oregon 22
- January 19: CFP National Championship – Indiana vs. Miami
Exciting Early Bowl Games
The early games really set the tone, and some of them had fans on the edge of their seats. The Cricket Celebration Bowl turned into a marathon, with South Carolina State barely sneaking past Prairie View A&M in four overtimes.
Meanwhile, Washington didn’t mess around in the LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk, just steamrolling Boise State.
Notable Early Matchups
A handful of early bowls got people talking:
- Salute to Veterans Bowl: Jacksonville State 17, Troy 13
- Cure Bowl: Old Dominion 24, South Florida 10
- Xbox Bowl: Arkansas State 34, Missouri State 28
- Gasparilla Bowl: NC State 31, Memphis 7
College Football Playoff First Round Highlights
The CFP first round, held on December 19 and 20, brought some of the wildest games of the season. Fans got to see high-scoring shootouts and a few games that went right down to the wire.
Standout Performances
Plenty of teams made a statement in the first round:
- Oregon: The Ducks rolled over James Madison, 51-24.
- Ole Miss: The Rebels handled Tulane, 41-10.
- Miami: The Hurricanes edged Texas A&M, 10-3, in a gritty, low-scoring affair.
- Alabama: The Crimson Tide got past Oklahoma, 34-24.
Quarterfinals and Semifinals Action
Quarterfinals and semifinals turned up the intensity, with teams clawing for a shot at the title. Indiana and Miami managed to rise above the chaos, booking their tickets to Miami Gardens for the championship.
Quarterfinal Highlights
A few games in the quarters really stuck with people:
- Rose Bowl: Indiana 38, Alabama 3
- Sugar Bowl: Ole Miss 39, Georgia 34
- Orange Bowl: Oregon 23, Texas Tech 0
- Cotton Bowl: Miami 24, Ohio State 14
Semifinal Showdowns
The semifinals had their own drama, with Indiana and Miami punching their tickets to the big game:
- Peach Bowl: Indiana 56, Oregon 22
- Fiesta Bowl: Miami 31, Ole Miss 27
Looking Ahead to the National Championship
Now, with the stage set for the CFP National Championship on January 19, it’s Indiana versus Miami. Both teams have been on a tear, so it’s hard not to get hyped for this one.
Team Overviews
Here’s a quick look at the two teams still standing:
- Indiana: The Hoosiers have looked sharp all year. Their offense is explosive, and their defense just shuts teams down. Wins in the Rose Bowl and Peach Bowl have people wondering if this is their year.
- Miami: The Hurricanes have been tough, too, with key victories over Ohio State and Ole Miss. They’ve shown they can hang in close games and find a way to win, which is never a bad thing come championship time.
If you want the full rundown—dates, locations, TV info, all that—check out CBS Sports.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 college football bowl season has been wild—packed with thrilling games and moments fans won’t forget anytime soon.
With the CFP National Championship right around the corner, anticipation is sky-high. January 19 can’t come soon enough if you ask me.
