Updated College Football Playoff Bracket: Miami, Oregon, Indiana, Ole Miss Advance

The College Football Playoff (CFP) bracket is down to four elite teams: Miami, Oregon, Indiana, and Ole Miss. These squads are set to collide in the semifinals, and whoever comes out on top will head to the national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on January 19, 2026.

Fans can expect some wild matchups in the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl, set for January 8 and 9. This postseason looks like it’ll deliver high-stakes drama and moments people will be talking about for years.

Semifinal Showdowns: Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl

The CFP semifinals start with the Fiesta Bowl: Miami takes on Ole Miss on January 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The next night, Indiana faces Oregon in the Peach Bowl, also at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Both games will air on ESPN, so fans everywhere can tune in and catch every play. These are can’t-miss showdowns, honestly.

Fiesta Bowl: Miami vs. Ole Miss

In the Fiesta Bowl, Miami’s Hurricanes are up against the Ole Miss Rebels. Miami punched their ticket to the semifinals after a wild comeback win over Ohio State.

Coach Mario Cristobal keeps talking about the team’s resilience, especially when they’re up against tough defenses. Miami’s road here wasn’t exactly smooth—there was plenty of debate after they squeaked past Notre Dame in the final CFP rankings to grab the last at-large spot.

On the flip side, Ole Miss has had a season full of twists, including the mid-season exit of head coach Lane Kiffin to LSU. Even with that shakeup, the Rebels kept their foot on the gas and now find themselves one win away from the title game.

The committee’s choice not to ding Ole Miss for losing Kiffin stirred up some chatter, but honestly, the team’s performance has quieted a lot of doubters.

Peach Bowl: Indiana vs. Oregon

The Peach Bowl is a rematch between Indiana and Oregon, two teams that don’t exactly get along on the field. Indiana shocked Oregon earlier this year, pulling off a ten-point win in Eugene when hardly anyone gave them a shot.

That upset set the stage for this rematch in Atlanta. Indiana’s quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, sounded genuinely fired up about playing in such a big venue and having a shot at a Rose Bowl title.

For Oregon, this is all about payback. The Ducks were heavy favorites last time and now they’re itching to prove themselves and get to the championship.

Both teams know what’s at stake, and neither is going to take it easy in this semifinal.

Path to the National Championship

The winners of the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl move on to the national championship on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. That game is the grand finale—capping off a season packed with surprises, upsets, and some truly standout performances.

It’ll be live on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET, and honestly, it feels like the perfect ending for a wild CFP season.

Key Matchups and Players to Watch

With the semifinals coming up, there are a few key matchups and players everyone’s watching. For Miami, their offensive line has to step up against Ole Miss’s defense.

Coach Cristobal keeps stressing resilience and physicality—traits they’ll need in spades against the Rebels. It’s not going to be easy, that’s for sure.

Ole Miss is counting on their explosive offense to put up points on Miami. Losing Lane Kiffin adds a bit of chaos, but the Rebels have shown they can roll with the punches.

How well they keep their offense humming without Kiffin on the sideline could make all the difference.

In the Peach Bowl, Indiana’s QB Fernando Mendoza is the guy to watch. His leadership has been a huge part of the Hoosiers’ run this season.

Oregon’s defense has its work cut out—if they can keep Mendoza in check, they’ll have a shot. For the Ducks, the plan is to play a balanced game and lean on both sides of the ball.

They’re still stinging from that earlier loss to Indiana, so you know they’ll be fired up to flip the script this time.

The College Football Playoff semifinals are shaping up to be intense. Miami, Ole Miss, Indiana, and Oregon are all fighting for a spot in the national championship.

Fans should brace themselves for some wild matchups. There’s a real chance for surprises and big moments—honestly, who knows what’ll happen?

If you want the latest details on the updated College Football Playoff bracket or the upcoming bowl games, check out Heavy.com.