College Football Playoff 2025-26: Teams, Schedule, and Streaming Info
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) is shaping up to be a wild ride. There’s a fresh bracket, a mix of perennial heavyweights, and a few teams nobody really saw coming.
Fans are already buzzing about the matchups. This postseason’s going to be packed with drama, upsets, and maybe a few jaw-dropping moments.
Let’s get into the matchups, the schedule, and what’s got everyone talking this year.
Contents
First-Round Showdowns: A Closer Look
The CFP’s first round jumps off on Friday, December 19. We’re getting a rematch right away: No. 8 Oklahoma hosts No. 9 Alabama in Norman.
Oklahoma already took down Alabama back in Week 12. Their defense forced three turnovers against Ty Simpson, and they did it without their best lineman, R. Thomas Mason.
Key Matchups on Saturday, December 20
Saturday is a triple-header, starting at noon ET. No. 7 Texas A&M goes up against No. 10 Miami in College Station.
That one’s got the feel of a quarterback shootout—Marcel Reed for the Aggies, Carson Beck for the Hurricanes. Miami squeaked into the bracket over Notre Dame, and not everyone’s happy about it.
Then at 3:30 p.m. ET, No. 6 Ole Miss faces No. 11 Tulane. Ole Miss just switched head coaches—Pete Golding is in, Lane Kiffin’s off to LSU.
Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. is sticking around for this game, but he’ll be joining Kiffin at LSU after.
The nightcap is No. 5 Oregon versus No. 12 James Madison at 7:30 p.m. ET. Both are conference champs, but Oregon’s ranked much higher.
This one’s on TNT and truTV, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding it.
Top Four Seeds and Their Paths to Glory
Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech make up the top four seeds. They all get to skip the first round and jump straight into the quarterfinals.
Indiana’s Historic Run
No. 1 Indiana is the top seed for the first time ever. They ran the table this season and took down Ohio State for the Big Ten title.
Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza leads the way. Indiana will play whoever wins between Oklahoma and Alabama in the Rose Bowl on January 1.
Ohio State’s Redemption Arc
No. 2 Ohio State is still the betting favorite at +225 (BetMGM). Sure, they lost to Indiana in the conference championship, but nobody’s counting them out.
They’ll face the Texas A&M-Miami winner in the Cotton Bowl on December 31.
Georgia’s Quest for Another Title
No. 3 Georgia just beat Alabama for the SEC crown. They’ll play the winner of the Ole Miss-Tulane game in the Sugar Bowl on January 1.
Georgia’s got experience and depth—never a team to overlook.
Texas Tech’s Surprise Season
No. 4 Texas Tech is the wildcard here. The Red Raiders finished 12-1, which, honestly, is impressive.
They’ll get either Oregon or James Madison in the Orange Bowl on January 1. Their offense is electric and the defense isn’t bad either.
Broadcast and Streaming Information
Most CFP games will air on ESPN networks—think ABC and ESPN itself. If you’re streaming, the ESPN app (with a TV login) or Fubo (free trial for newbies) are your best bets.
Two first-round games are on TNT and truTV, and you can catch those on Sling TV if you like.
Detailed Schedule
- Friday, Dec. 19 – No. 8 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN (Fubo)
- Saturday, Dec. 20 – No. 7 Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Miami at Noon ET on ABC and ESPN (Fubo)
- No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 11 Tulane at 3:30 p.m. ET on TNT/truTV and HBO Max (Sling TV)
- No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 12 James Madison at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT/truTV and HBO Max (Sling TV)
- Wednesday, Dec. 31 – Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Ohio State vs. Winner of No. 7 Texas A&M/No. 10 Miami at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN (Fubo)
- Thursday, Jan. 1 – Orange Bowl: No. 4 Texas Tech vs. Winner of No. 5 Oregon/No. 12 James Madison at Noon ET on ESPN (Fubo)
- Rose Bowl: No. 1 Indiana vs. Winner of No. 8 Oklahoma/No. 9 Alabama at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN (Fubo)
- Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Georgia vs. Winner of No. 6 Ole Miss/No. 11 Tulane at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN (Fubo)
- Thursday, Jan. 8 – Fiesta Bowl: Winner of Cotton Bowl vs. Winner of Sugar Bowl at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN (Fubo)
- Friday, Jan. 9 – Peach Bowl: Winner of Rose Bowl vs. Winner of Orange Bowl at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN (Fubo)
- Monday, Jan. 19 – National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami: 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN, TNT, truTV (ESPN app, Fubo, Sling TV)
Conclusion: A Playoff to Remember
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff is shaping up to be one for the ages.
There’s a wild mix of traditional powerhouses and some surprising newcomers in the lineup.
Each game brings its own storylines, and honestly, who doesn’t love a good upset?
If you’re hunting for more details on the CFP bracket, matchups, or schedules, check out the full article on USA Today.
