College Football Playoff Semifinals: Updated Bracket and Scores Revealed

The College Football Playoff (CFP) season is really heating up as we close in on the semifinals. That wild 12-team field? It’s down to just four contenders now.

There have been upsets, blowouts, and some jaw-dropping moments along the way. The stage is set for what could be a wild finish to the 2025-26 season.

Here’s a look at how we got here and what’s on tap for the next round.

The Road to the Semifinals: A Recap

The 2025-26 College Football Playoff started off with a bang. Twelve teams entered the fight for the national championship, and the opening rounds didn’t disappoint.

The first round, on December 19, had No. 9 Alabama beating No. 8 Oklahoma 34-24. The next day, No. 10 Miami slipped past No. 7 Texas A&M in a gritty 10-3 battle.

No. 6 Ole Miss rolled over No. 11 Tulane 41-10, and No. 5 Oregon put up big numbers with a 51-34 win over No. 12 James Madison.

Quarterfinal Thrills

The quarterfinals, held on December 31 and January 1, brought even more chaos. No. 10 Miami shocked everyone by upsetting No. 2 Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl—that’s Miami’s first time making it to the CFP semifinals.

No. 5 Oregon blanked No. 4 Texas Tech 23-0 in the Orange Bowl. No. 1 Indiana crushed No. 9 Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl, handing Bama its worst postseason loss ever.

The Sugar Bowl was wild too. No. 6 Ole Miss came back from a 21-12 halftime hole to beat No. 3 Georgia 39-34, thanks to some late-game heroics from Trinidad Chambliss.

Upcoming Semifinal Showdowns

Now, we’re staring down two huge semifinal matchups. Both games are set for January 8 and 9, and you can catch them on ESPN.

Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Miami

On January 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Fiesta Bowl features No. 6 Ole Miss squaring off with No. 10 Miami at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Both teams have shown a lot of grit to get here, so this one could get interesting.

Ole Miss is riding high after that comeback against Georgia. Miami, meanwhile, is trying to keep their underdog story alive after knocking out Ohio State.

Peach Bowl: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 5 Oregon

Then, on January 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Peach Bowl has No. 1 Indiana facing No. 5 Oregon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Indiana’s been on a tear all season, capped by that 35-point beatdown of Alabama.

Oregon’s looked tough too, with a balanced offense and a defense that just shut out Texas Tech. This one’s got “classic” written all over it, doesn’t it?

CFP Bracket and Schedule Overview

Here’s a quick look at the updated 12-team CFP bracket:

• No. 1 Indiana
• No. 2 Ohio State
• No. 3 Georgia
• No. 4 Texas Tech
• No. 5 Oregon
• No. 6 Ole Miss
• No. 7 Texas A&M
• No. 8 Oklahoma
• No. 9 Alabama
• No. 10 Miami
• No. 11 Tulane
• No. 12 James Madison

And here’s what’s left on the schedule:

• Thursday, Jan. 8: Fiesta Bowl (Semifinal 1) – No. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Miami | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
• Friday, Jan. 9: Peach Bowl (Semifinal 2) – No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 5 Oregon | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
• Monday, Jan. 19: National Championship Game at Hard Rock Stadium | 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN

How to Watch

All the remaining CFP games will be on ESPN. You can also stream them through the ESPN app (you’ll need a TV login) or on Fubo, which, by the way, has a free trial if you’re new.

What’s at Stake

The stakes? Absolutely massive. Four teams, one shot at the national championship.

• Indiana: The Hoosiers want to finish a dominant season with their first national title. Feels like it’s their year, doesn’t it?
• Oregon: The Ducks are chasing their first championship since the CFP started. They’re overdue.
• Ole Miss: The Rebels have all the momentum and are hoping to keep the magic going.
• Miami: The Hurricanes, in their first CFP semifinal, are out to prove they really do belong.

Conclusion

The semifinals are almost here, and honestly, the buzz around the College Football Playoff is hard to ignore. There’s a wild mix this year—classic powerhouse teams, but also a few scrappy underdogs that nobody saw coming.

This playoff could end up delivering some truly unforgettable moments. High stakes, big drama, all of it. Are you ready? I know I’ll be watching.

If you want more details or updates, check out the USA Today Sports website.