College Football Playoff Quarterfinals: Full Bracket and Schedule Released
The excitement of the FBS College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinals is here, promising wild matchups and moments fans won’t forget. This year, 12 teams are in the hunt for the national championship, with the quarterfinals kicking off December 31 and January 1.
The competition feels fierce. Fans are buzzing, waiting to see who survives these high-stakes games.
The quarterfinals feature powerhouse teams like Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech. Each squad is fighting for a spot in the semifinals—and, if things break their way, a shot at the national title.
Let’s dig into the CFP quarterfinals schedule, the teams to watch, and what might be in store for this postseason.
Contents
CFP Quarterfinals Schedule and Matchups
The quarterfinals are set to deliver, with four games spread over two days. Here’s how the matchups shake out:
- Cotton Bowl: Miami vs. Ohio State, 7:30 p.m. ET Wednesday, Dec. 31
- Orange Bowl: Oregon vs. Texas Tech, noon ET Thursday, Jan. 1
- Rose Bowl: Alabama vs. Indiana, 4 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 1
- Sugar Bowl: Ole Miss vs. Georgia, 8 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 1
All the games will air on ESPN, so you really can’t miss any of it. The winners move on to the semifinals, which will be hosted by the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl.
Key Teams to Watch
Indiana: The Top Seed
Indiana comes in as the top seed after a season that’s surprised a lot of people. Their showdown with Alabama in the Rose Bowl is already drawing attention—Alabama rarely goes quietly in the postseason.
Indiana’s steady play and tough defense got them here. Still, can they hold up under playoff pressure?
Ohio State: The Defending Champions
Ohio State is the second seed and last year’s national champ. They’ll face Miami in the Cotton Bowl.
The Buckeyes have a deep history in the CFP, winning the first title in 2014 and grabbing another just last season. With their experience and talent, they’re always a threat.
Georgia: A Consistent Contender
Georgia sits at number three and matches up with Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl. Their offense is explosive, and the defense isn’t far behind.
They’ve been in the mix for years. This game against Ole Miss could be a real battle.
Texas Tech: The Dark Horse
Texas Tech, seeded fourth, takes on Oregon in the Orange Bowl. Not many saw them coming, but here they are.
They’ve made it this far with grit and smart football. Honestly, they could surprise a lot of folks.
First Round Recap
The first round, played December 19 and 20, brought some wild results. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Oregon beat James Madison.
- Alabama got past Oklahoma.
- Ole Miss knocked out Tulane.
- Miami edged out Texas A&M.
These wins set up the current quarterfinals, with each team hoping to keep the momentum going.
Semifinals and Championship
The Rose Bowl and Orange Bowl winners will meet in the Fiesta Bowl on January 8. The Cotton Bowl and Sugar Bowl winners face off in the Peach Bowl on January 9.
The national championship game is set for January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Mark your calendars—should be a show.
Semifinals Matchups
The semifinals are shaping up to be just as wild as the quarters. There’s no re-seeding, so the matchups are straightforward—whoever wins, moves on.
National Championship
Every team’s dream is to make it to that final game. With the CFP’s new 12-team format, the road’s tougher, but the reward is even sweeter.
The top four teams get a bye in the first round, which adds a new wrinkle to the whole thing.
Historical Context and Future of the CFP
The College Football Playoff system started in 2014, taking over from the old BCS setup. It began with four teams: two semifinals, one championship.
This change opened the door for more teams to chase the title and made the postseason a lot more interesting.
Evolution of the CFP
Lately, the CFP expanded to 12 teams. It’s made things more competitive and, honestly, more fun for fans and players alike.
Now, even the so-called underdogs have a real shot at making a run.
Notable Champions
Ohio State won the very first CFP championship in 2014 and has stayed near the top ever since. Alabama’s been a juggernaut too, with three titles in the four-team era.
As the format keeps evolving, there’s room for new programs to break through and make some history of their own. Who’s next? We’ll see soon enough.
Conclusion
The FBS College Football Playoff quarterfinals are shaping up to be something special. With teams like Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech all in the hunt, there’s a real sense of excitement in the air.
Expect some wild moments and maybe even a few surprises. It’s tough to say who’ll come out on top, but that’s half the fun, isn’t it?
If you want a closer look at the full CFP schedule and all the matchups, you can check out Hero Sports.
