College football playoffs: Who plays today Thursday Jan. 1? Quarterfinals, teams, times and matchups
Complete schedule for New Year’s Day’s College Football Playoff quarterfinals, including kickoff times, locations, and key storylines for each game.
The Miami Hurricanes became the first team to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals with a stunning 24-14 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
New Year’s Day continues with an exciting lineup of matchups, completing the College Football Playoff quarterfinals as part of the 2025-26 bowl schedule that runs through early January.
College Football Playoff Quarterfinals on New Year’ Day 2026
5 Oregon Ducks vs. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders (Orange Bowl)
- Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
- TV: ESPN
Both Oregon and Texas Tech boast elite defenses, with many predicting a tightly contested chess match. Expect one big play to decide the winner.
9 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. 1 Indiana Hoosiers (Rose Bowl Game)
- Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
- TV: ESPN
Indiana’s victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten championship signaled their national championship potential. The Hoosiers, led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza - touted as a possible No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft - enter as favorites after a perfect 13-0 season. Alabama, however, has won 11 of its last 13 games and could be poised for an upset.
6 Ole Miss Rebels vs. 3 Georgia Bulldogs (Sugar Bowl)
- Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- TV: ESPN
Both Ole Miss and Georgia finished 12-1 for the season, with the Rebels’ only loss coming against the Bulldogs in a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback. Ole Miss’ former head coach Lane Kiffin has moved to LSU, raising questions about how his departure will affect the Rebels in this high-stakes matchup.
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