College Football Bowl Games Today: Schedule, TV Channels, Kickoff Times
New Year’s Day is over, but college football fans still have a lot to get excited about on January 2, 2026. The day is loaded with four bowl games, each promising its own brand of drama and surprises.
From the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, there’s a little something for everyone. Let’s take a look at what’s on tap.
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Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl: Rice vs. Texas State
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET | TV: ESPN | Location: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas
The Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl gets things rolling with Rice facing Texas State. Rice (5-7) snagged a bowl invite after some teams opted out, despite a rough end to their season.
The Owls dropped their last two games by a combined 108-27. They’ll be missing Chase Jenkins, who’s in the transfer portal, but the rest of the squad is fired up for a shot at redemption.
Rice’s Road to Redemption
Rice’s year has been, well, bumpy. Still, this bowl game is a chance to flip the script.
The defense, especially, has to dig deep with important players out. Their last meeting with Texas State in the 2023 First Responder Bowl ended in a 45-21 loss, so there’s a bit of a score to settle.
Texas State’s Key Players
Texas State (6-6) isn’t without its own issues—several players are in the transfer portal, too. But star freshman quarterback Brad Jackson is back for 2026, and that’s a big deal.
Jackson’s play could be the difference-maker if the Bobcats want to repeat their win over Rice.
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET | TV: ESPN | Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
The AutoZone Liberty Bowl lines up Navy (10-2) against Cincinnati (7-5). Navy, along with Army and Air Force, is riding a seven-game bowl win streak dating back to 2021.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, is missing more than a dozen players—including quarterback Brendan Sorsby—due to opt-outs. It’s a tough spot for the Bearcats.
Navy could tie its program record for wins in a season (11), something they last did in 2015 and 2019. Blake Horvath and his crew are hungry to keep their bowl streak alive.
The Midshipmen’s discipline and stout defense are always a factor. It’s not flashy football, but it works.
Cincinnati’s Challenges
Cincinnati ended the regular season on a four-game skid. With so many key players gone, the Bearcats have to get creative.
If they can disrupt Navy’s rhythm, maybe they pull off the upset. But that’s a big “if.”
Trust & Will Holiday Bowl: No. 17 Arizona vs. SMU
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET | TV: FOX | Location: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, California
The Trust & Will Holiday Bowl should be a fun one—No. 17 Arizona (9-3) faces SMU (8-4). Both teams flirted with playoff hopes at times this year, only to fall just short.
Arizona, led by quarterback Noah Fifita, is riding a five-game win streak. They’re chasing their fifth 10-win season ever, which is no small feat.
Arizona’s Strong Finish
Arizona lost some close ones to BYU and Houston, but they’ve really turned it around. Fifita’s leadership and the team’s grit have made a difference.
They’ll need their defense to be on point, though—SMU’s offense can light it up.
SMU’s Redemption Arc
SMU, a CFP team just last season, has had a wild ride. They beat Clemson, Louisville, and Miami, showing what they’re capable of.
But a tough loss to California kept them out of the ACC title game. The Mustangs haven’t won a bowl since 2012, so the hunger is real.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET | TV: ESPN | Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
The Duke’s Mayo Bowl pairs Wake Forest (8-4) with Mississippi State (5-7). This one’s got the famous mayonnaise bath for the winning coach—love it or hate it, it’s memorable.
Both teams want to end their year with a win and, maybe, a little mayo in the hair.
Wake Forest’s Pursuit of Nine Wins
Head coach Jake Dickert is looking to guide Wake Forest to its first nine-win season since 2021. The team’s shown plenty of fight, and a bowl win would cap Dickert’s debut season in Winston-Salem nicely.
They’ll lean on a balanced offense and a defense that’s held up pretty well.
Mississippi State’s Bowl Invitation
Mississippi State finished 5-7 but still landed a bowl invite. Coach Jeff Lebby and the Bulldogs are hoping to shake off a rough SEC finish.
A win here would send them into the offseason on a high note. That’s always a good feeling, right?
Looking Ahead: College Football Playoff Schedule
The College Football Playoff’s first round ran from December 19-21. Alabama (No. 8), Miami (No. 10), Ole Miss (No. 6), and Oregon (No. 5) all grabbed wins.
The quarterfinals came next on December 31 and January 1. Those games brought plenty of fireworks between top teams.
Upcoming Semifinals
Semifinal matchups are set for January 8 and 9. The national championship will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, January 19, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Who’s taking home the trophy? We’re all just waiting to see how it shakes out.
Conclusion
The bowl games on January 2, 2026, promise a mix of fascinating matchups and unexpected storylines. There are redemption arcs, historic streaks, and plenty of drama for fans to latch onto.
Each game brings its own flavor. Some might surprise you, others might just feel like a tradition you can’t miss.
If you’re looking for details like start times or TV channels, you can check out Yahoo Sports.
