College Football Playoff 2023: First-Round Matchups, Dates, and Times
The College Football Playoff (CFP) season is here, finally. After weeks of chatter and wild guesses, the 12-team field is set at last.
The Miami Hurricanes squeezed past the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for a playoff spot, thanks to that head-to-head win way back in Week 1. The top four seeds — Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech — get first-round byes, so that shakes up the bracket a bit.
Round 1 is loaded with matchups that could get weird fast. Here’s a look at the schedule, some key games, and what could be in store as the chase for the national title gets underway.
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College Football Playoff Round 1 Matchups
The first round kicks off with some high-stakes games. If you’re not excited yet, just wait until these teams hit the field.
Friday, Dec. 19: No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma
Friday night, December 19, it’s No. 9 Alabama heading to Norman to face No. 8 Oklahoma. This one’s at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, 8 p.m. ET, on ABC and ESPN.
Both squads have serious history and offenses that can explode, so it’s hard to look away. Feels like it could go either way, honestly.
Saturday, Dec. 20: No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M
Saturday brings No. 10 Miami to Kyle Field against No. 7 Texas A&M. Kickoff is noon ET, also on ABC and ESPN.
Miami’s spot in the CFP has raised some eyebrows, but here’s their chance to prove the doubters wrong.
Saturday, Dec. 20: No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss
Later Saturday, No. 11 Tulane hits the road to face No. 6 Ole Miss at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford. That one’s at 3:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
Ole Miss is favored, but Tulane’s pulled off some surprises. Wouldn’t count them out.
Saturday, Dec. 20: No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon
The first round wraps up with No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon. They’ll play at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
James Madison is a long shot, but hey, stranger things have happened in college football.
Quarterfinal Round
Winners from the first round move on to the quarterfinals to take on the top four seeds. This is where things really start to heat up, if you ask me.
Wednesday, Dec. 31: Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
First up, Wednesday, December 31, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Miami-Texas A&M winner faces No. 2 Ohio State at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Ohio State’s got a target on their back, but you never know in these games.
Thursday, Jan. 1: Capital One Orange Bowl
New Year’s Day brings the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The James Madison-Oregon winner meets No. 4 Texas Tech at noon ET on ESPN.
Texas Tech gets home-field advantage, but that’s never a guarantee in the CFP.
Thursday, Jan. 1: Rose Bowl
Later on, the Rose Bowl hosts the Alabama-Oklahoma winner against No. 1 Indiana. Pasadena, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Indiana’s been rolling all year, but the Rose Bowl has a way of flipping the script.
Thursday, Jan. 1: Allstate Sugar Bowl
Finally, the Allstate Sugar Bowl: Tulane-Ole Miss winner vs. No. 3 Georgia. Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Georgia looks strong, but they can’t afford to coast here.
Semifinal Round
The semifinals will decide which two teams get to play for it all. The tension is always sky-high at this stage.
Thursday, Jan. 8: Vrbo Fiesta Bowl CFP Semifinal
First semifinal is Thursday, January 8, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Whoever makes it this far will have earned it, and the matchup should be a good one.
Friday, Jan. 9: Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl CFP Semifinal
The second semifinal is Friday, January 9, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Same 7:30 p.m. ET start, also on ESPN.
With a ticket to the championship on the line, expect both teams to go all out.
National Championship
It all comes down to this: the national championship game. Two teams, one trophy, and a whole lot of bragging rights.
Monday, Jan. 19: CFP National Championship Game
The national championship game is set for Monday, January 19, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Kickoff happens at 7:30 p.m. ET, and you’ll find it on ESPN.
It’s the night college football fans wait for all season. The energy and nerves? Off the charts.
If you want more details on the College Football Playoff schedule—like dates and times for every first-round matchup—check out Newsweek.
