Honestly, if you’re looking for a kickoff right now, you’re probably staring at a blank screen or a rerun of a mid-major basketball game. It’s Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The dust has finally settled on the most chaotic semifinal round we've seen in the expanded playoff era, and the college football schedule today on TV is, well, nonexistent.
We are in the "Eye of the Storm."
The Peach Bowl is over. Indiana absolutely dismantled Oregon 56-22 last Friday, proving that the Hoosiers weren't just a feel-good story—they’re a juggernaut. On the other side, Miami outlasted Ole Miss in a 31-27 Fiesta Bowl thriller that had everyone in Glendale holding their breath until the final whistle. Now, we wait. We are exactly five days away from the biggest game in the history of the sport.
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Where is the College Football Schedule Today on TV?
There are no live FBS games today. None.
If you see a schedule online claiming there’s a bowl game tonight, it’s probably outdated or referring to a different sport. While the Big Ten and SEC are dominating the airwaves tonight with hoops—like UCLA taking on Penn State at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1—the football pads are stayed in the locker room.
This gap is intentional. With the new 12-team playoff format, the schedule has become a marathon rather than a sprint. Players need this week to heal. Coaches like Indiana's Curt Cignetti need this time to dissect every frame of Miami’s defensive rotation. For the fans, it’s a week of pure, unadulterated hype and speculation.
The Road to Miami: What’s Left?
The 2025-26 postseason has been a relentless grind. We started with the first round back in December, moved through a New Year’s Day triple-header that saw Georgia and Alabama both get bounced, and arrived here.
- Monday, January 19, 2026: The National Championship.
- Matchup: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami.
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET.
- Channel: ESPN.
It’s weird seeing a No. 10 seed in the final, isn’t it? Miami’s run has been legendary. They took down Texas A&M, upset Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, and then clipped Ole Miss. They are essentially playing a home game next Monday at Hard Rock Stadium.
How to Watch the National Championship
Since there’s no college football schedule today on TV, you should spend your time making sure your streaming setup is actually ready for Monday. ESPN has the exclusive rights, but they’re doing the "MegaCast" thing again.
You’ll have the main broadcast with Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit on ESPN. But if you’re a nerd for analytics or just want to hear Pat McAfee yell for three hours, check out ESPN2. They’ll also have the "Command Center" on ESPNews and the "SkyCast" on ESPNU.
If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck. Fubo, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV all carry ESPN. Just don't wait until 7:25 p.m. on Monday to realize your login expired. That’s a rookie mistake.
Why No Mid-Week Bowls?
People used to love those random Wednesday night games in late December. The "Xbox Bowl" or whatever they were called. But the 12-team playoff has sucked the oxygen out of the room for smaller bowls. Most of them finished up before the New Year.
The focus has shifted entirely to the bracket. By the time we hit mid-January, the NCAA wants all eyes on the two remaining teams. It’s about prestige now, not just filling airtime.
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Actionable Steps for the "Off" Week
Since you can't watch a game today, here is how you actually prepare for the finale:
- Check the Injury Reports: Keep a close eye on Miami’s secondary. They took some hits in the Fiesta Bowl, and going up against Indiana’s passing attack with a hobbled backfield is a recipe for disaster.
- Update Your Streaming Apps: Ensure your ESPN app is updated on your Roku or Apple TV. There’s nothing worse than a forced update during a coin toss.
- Look for Replays: If you missed the semifinals, ESPN+ usually carries the full replays. Watching Indiana’s offensive line work against Oregon is basically a masterclass in zone blocking.
- Set Your DVR: Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET. If you have to work late or have a commitment, get that recording set now.
The wait is almost over. While the college football schedule today on TV might be empty, the silence is just the buildup to the loudest night in Miami. Keep your remote handy; Monday will be here before you know it.