2025 College Football Bowl Schedule: Playoff Times and TV Channels
The 2025 college football bowl season is here, and fans everywhere are buzzing with anticipation. Even with teams like Notre Dame, Iowa State, and Kansas State sitting this one out, there are still 47 matchups on the slate—including the second-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.
This year’s lineup promises plenty of drama and a few surprises, making it a welcome distraction during the holidays. Here’s a closer look at the 2025 bowl schedule, key games, and where you can catch all the action.
Contents
2025 Bowl Game Highlights
The bowl season opens with a mix of games to suit just about every taste. From the Cricket Celebration Bowl to the high-stakes College Football Playoff, there’s a little something for everyone.
Early Bowl Games
The opening matchups set the mood for the postseason. Some early games to keep an eye on:
- Cricket Celebration Bowl: South Carolina State vs. Prairie View A&M at Noon on ABC
- Bucked Up LA Bowl: Boise State vs. Washington at 8 p.m. on ABC
- IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl: Troy vs. Jacksonville State at 9 p.m. on ESPN
- StaffDNA Cure Bowl: Old Dominion vs. South Florida at 5 p.m. on ESPN
These games give teams a shot to shine on a national stage. For some programs, it’s a rare chance to grab the spotlight.
College Football Playoff First Round
The College Football Playoff brings 11 games, and the first round is packed with pressure. A few matchups stand out:
Key First Round Matchups
- No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, 8 p.m. on ABC and ESPN
- No. 10 Miami vs. No. 7 Texas A&M: Kyle Field, Noon on ABC and ESPN
- No. 11 Tulane vs. No. 6 Ole Miss: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, 3:30 p.m. on TNT
- No. 12 James Madison vs. No. 5 Oregon: Autzen Stadium, 7:30 p.m. on TNT
Every one of these games means a shot at the quarterfinals. The intensity? Yeah, it’s going to be off the charts.
Other Notable Bowl Games
There’s more to bowl season than just the Playoff. Several other games promise plenty of fireworks.
Exciting Bowl Matchups
- Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Washington State vs. Utah State at 2 p.m. on ESPN
- New Orleans Bowl: Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl: California vs. Hawaii at 8 p.m. on ESPN
- Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl: Tennessee vs. Illinois at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN
With regional rivalries and unpredictable matchups, these games are bound to keep viewers guessing. Some of them might even steal the show.
Quarterfinals and Beyond
The Playoff heats up in the quarterfinals. Only the best will move on, and the pressure is real.
CFP Quarterfinal Matchups
- Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic: Miami-Texas A&M winner vs. No. 2 Ohio State at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Capital One Orange Bowl: James Madison-Oregon winner vs. No. 4 Texas Tech at Noon on ESPN
- Rose Bowl Game: Alabama-Oklahoma winner vs. No. 1 Indiana at 4 p.m. on ESPN
- Allstate Sugar Bowl: Tulane-Ole Miss winner vs. No. 3 Georgia at 8 p.m. on ESPN
These games decide who’s got what it takes to make a run at the national title. It’s hard not to get caught up in the energy.
Semifinals and Championship
The last stop before the title game: the semifinals at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The winners there? They’re headed to the CFP National Championship.
CFP Semifinal Games
- Vrbo Fiesta Bowl: 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
- Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
The grand finale goes down at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Kickoff for the championship is set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. Can’t wait to see who comes out on top.
Conclusion
The 2025 college football bowl season? It’s shaping up to be a wild ride, honestly. There are some seriously exciting matchups on the horizon.
High-stakes games, unexpected twists—it’s all leading up to the College Football Playoff. Whether you live for every snap or just tune in for the big moments, there’s something here that’ll grab your attention.
If you want to dig deeper or check the dates, the full bowl schedule has you covered.
