The 2025-26 postseason marks a definitive shift in the sport, blending the pageantry of traditional bowl games with the intensity of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. College football enthusiasts face a jam-packed calendar featuring over 40 contests stretching from mid-December through the championship in January.
This year, the stakes are higher. The expanded field means early games carry immediate championship implications rather than just regional bragging rights. For fans dissecting the slate, understanding the landscape of favorites and underdogs is essential. In fact, many analysts look to indicators like a BetMGM bonus code to gauge how the markets perceive these new playoff matchups, offering insight into which teams are expected to perform under pressure.
Due to the volume of games, having a clear viewing plan is crucial. The schedule offers a rhythm, starting with lighter regional tilts before ramping up to the heavyweight playoff battles. Therefore, keeping track of the broadcast changes is vital for catching every snap.
Kicking Off The Postseason With Early Matchups
The action begins immediately in mid-December. Rather than easing into the holidays, the schedule presents competitive games right out of the gate. These early contests often feature high-powered offenses and teams eager to prove their worth on a national stage.
Most of these games will air on ESPN networks, providing a centralized hub for the first week. However, the introduction of the CFP First Round adds a new layer of intensity to the pre-Christmas slate.
- Xbox Bowl | Missouri State vs. Arkansas State | Thu, Dec 18 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2
- Myrtle Beach Bowl | Kennesaw State vs. Western Michigan | Fri, Dec 19 at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN
- Gasparilla Bowl | Memphis vs. NC State | Fri, Dec 19 at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
- CFP First Round | Miami (10) vs. Texas A&M (7) | Sat, Dec 20 at Noon ET on ABC/ESPN
- Frisco Bowl | UNLV vs. Ohio | Tue, Dec 23 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN
- Hawai’i Bowl | California vs. Hawaii | Wed, Dec 24 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
High Stakes In The New Year’s Six And Playoff Quarterfinals
As the calendar turns to late December, the focus shifts to the blue-blood programs. The New Year’s Six bowls have evolved, now serving as the battlegrounds for the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
It seems that the integration of these historic venues into the playoff bracket has revitalized the importance of New Year’s Day. Top-seeded teams like Indiana and Georgia will defend their rankings against battle-tested opponents. Moreover, traditional rivalries continue to thrive alongside the playoff bracket, ensuring non-stop action.
- ReliaQuest Bowl | Iowa vs. Vanderbilt | Wed, Dec 31 at Noon ET on ESPN
- Sun Bowl | Arizona State vs. Duke | Wed, Dec 31 at 2 p.m. ET on CBS
- Citrus Bowl | Michigan vs. Texas | Wed, Dec 31 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC
- Rose Bowl (CFP QF) | Indiana (1) vs. Oklahoma/Alabama winner | Thu, Jan 1 at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN
- Sugar Bowl (CFP QF) | Georgia (3) vs. Tulane/Ole Miss winner | Thu, Jan 1 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
- Fiesta Bowl (CFP SF) | TBD | Thu, Jan 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Optimizing Your Viewing Strategy
To be sure, navigating the broadcast map requires attention to detail. While ESPN+ streams the majority of the bowl games, the playoff expansion has brought other networks into the fold.
TNT and truTV are set to broadcast select first-round playoff games, creating new destinations for fans. Additionally, CBS retains rights to marquee matchups like the Sun Bowl. Playoff seeding drives the narrative, but the sheer variety of broadcasters means checking local listings is smarter than relying on habit.