
The College Football Playoff excitement has hit pause, but there are still plenty of intriguing bowl matchups on TV today, Friday, January 2, 2026. There are four college football games on Friday’s schedule, highlighted by two primetime matchups. As an aside, there are no NFL football games on TV until Saturday, January 3.
Arizona takes on SMU in a Big 12-ACC Clash for the Holiday Bowl at 8 p.m. Eastern on Fox. Additionally, Mississippi State battles Wake Forest at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
Rice and Texas State kickoff the January 2, college football schedule in the Armed Forces Bowl at 1 p.m. on ESPN. Finally, Navy takes on Cincinnati in a former AAC conference battle at the Liberty Bowl on ESPN at 4:30 p.m.
Here’s a look at the upcoming college football schedule.
College Football Schedule for Friday, January 2: Holiday Bowl Highlights CFB Slate of Games
The college football bowl schedule continues on Friday, January 2, with four games on TV. Here’s a look at the upcoming CFB schedule with all times listed in Eastern.
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | CHANNEL |
| January 2 | Rice vs. Texas State | 1 p.m. | ESPN |
| January 2 | Navy vs. Cincinnati | 4:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| January 2 | Arizona vs. SMU | 8 p.m. | FOX |
| January 2 | Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State | 8 p.m. | ESPN |
College Football Playoff Schedule: The CFP Semifinal Games Are on January 8-9
Here’s a look at the remaining CFP games which resume on Thursday, January 8.
| DATE | GAME | TIME (ET) | TV CHANNEL |
| January 8 | Fiesta Bowl: Miami vs. Ole Miss | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| January 9 | Peach Bowl: Oregon vs. Indiana | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| January 19 | National Championship | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
College Football Playoff Bracket Updated With Semifinal Bowl Games
Following the New Year’s Day games, there are now four remaining teams in the College Football Playoff. Ole Miss takes on Miami in the Fiesta Bowl at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 8. Indiana battles Oregon in the Peach Bowl on Friday, January 9.
| 1st Round | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Championship |
| 12. JMU | |||
| 5. Oregon | |||
| 4. Texas Tech | |||
| 5. Oregon | |||
| 5. Oregon (Peach) | |||
| 9. Alabama | 1. Indiana | ||
| 9. Alabama | |||
| 1. Indiana | |||
| 8. Oklahoma | |||
| National Title | |||
| 11. Tulane | January 19, Miami | ||
| 6. Ole Miss | |||
| 3. Georgia | |||
| 6. Ole Miss | 10. Miami (Fiesta) | ||
| 6. Ole Miss | |||
| 10. Miami | |||
| 10. Miami | |||
| 2. Ohio State | |||
| 7. Texas A&M |
College Football Playoff: 4 Teams Remain as Alabama, Georgia & Ohio State Among Programs Eliminated From CFP
There were plenty of blowouts in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, but the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Ole Miss saved New Year’s Day with a thrilling end. No Lane Kiffin, no problem as the Rebels were able to exact revenge against the Dawgs in a comeback victory.
Over 24 hours, several college football powerhouses were eliminated with Ohio State, Alabama and Georgia all losing. Additionally, fans will get a Big Ten rematch as Indiana and Oregon soon battle in the Peach Bowl with a spot in the national championship on the line. Miami and Ole Miss both defied the odds with upsets to advance to the Fiesta Bowl.
“A lot of people did doubt us before the season and they still doubted us when our coach left,” Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss noted after advancing to the Fiesta Bowl, per ESPN. “We just want to play ball and have fun, and I think that’s showing right now.”
College Football Games Today’s Schedule: What CFB Bowls Are on TV for Friday, Jan. 2?