2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinals: Schedule, Teams, and Viewing Guide
The 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinal matchups are set. Fans are in for an electrifying two days of action-packed games.
This year’s playoff field has been downsized from eight to four teams. Each game promises high stakes and intense competition.
From historic rivalries to first-time matchups, here’s everything you need to know to navigate the quarterfinal games through New Year’s Day. Some of these games are going to get wild—maybe even weird.
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Cotton Bowl: Miami vs. Ohio State
The Cotton Bowl will kick off the CFP quarterfinals with a New Year’s Eve showdown. It’s the 10th-seeded Miami Hurricanes against the 2nd-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes.
These two storied programs haven’t met since the 2003 BCS National Championship. That’s a long wait for a rematch.
Game Details
- Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Broadcast: ESPN, fuboTV (try for free)
Miami is riding high after their first CFP win in program history. They just knocked off Texas A&M on the road in a gritty, low-scoring battle.
Now, they’re up against the reigning national champs, Ohio State. The Buckeyes are still feeling the sting from their first loss of the season, which came at the hands of Indiana in the Big Ten title game.
Ohio State’s star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith grew up in South Florida. You can bet he’ll be fired up to play against a team and in a place he knows so well.
Orange Bowl: Oregon vs. Texas Tech
New Year’s Day opens with a matchup between the 5th-seeded Oregon Ducks and the 4th-seeded Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl. Oregon’s got a shot at redemption after last season’s blowout loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.
Game Details
- Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026
- Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
- Broadcast: ESPN, fuboTV (try for free)
The Ducks are coming off a win over James Madison in the first round. They’re eager to show what they can do against a tough Texas Tech defense.
Texas Tech is in the CFP for the first time after winning the Big 12 title. With a spot in the semifinals on the line, the Red Raiders won’t be backing down.
Rose Bowl: Alabama vs. Indiana
Later on New Year’s Day, the Rose Bowl features the 9th-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide against the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers. Alabama just pulled off a dramatic comeback win over Oklahoma.
Indiana, meanwhile, is celebrating their best season in program history. Not bad for a team that’s often overlooked.
Game Details
- Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
- Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
- Broadcast: ESPN, fuboTV (try for free)
Indiana is led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who’s also a likely No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That’s a storyline in itself.
Will Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams get more involved this time? He had just one catch for five yards against Oklahoma, and that can’t sit well with him.
Sugar Bowl: Ole Miss vs. Georgia
The final quarterfinal game is set for the Sugar Bowl. It’s the 6th-seeded Ole Miss Rebels versus the 3rd-seeded Georgia Bulldogs.
These teams already met in the regular season, with Georgia winning 43-35. Feels like there’s unfinished business here.
Game Details
- Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Broadcast: ESPN, fuboTV (try for free)
Ole Miss is heading into this one without Lane Kiffin, since he took the LSU job. They just grabbed their first-ever CFP win, knocking out Tulane in the opening round.
Georgia’s rolling in with Gunner Stockton at quarterback. He got his first start last year in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame, and now he’s hoping to keep that momentum alive against the Rebels.
The College Football Playoff quarterfinals are almost here, and honestly, who knows what’ll happen? The matchups all feel a bit wild this year, with plenty of big storylines and even bigger stakes.
If you want the nitty-gritty details or just need to check for updates, the official guide on CBS Sports has you covered.
