If you’re waking up today, January 15, 2026, and looking for a live college football game to park yourself in front of, I’ve got some news that might sting a little.
Basically, there are no live FBS games today.
The frantic, heart-attack-inducing pace of the bowl season has finally hit a lull. We are currently in that weird, quiet pocket between the high-octane Semifinals—where No. 1 Indiana just dismantled Oregon and No. 10 Miami pulled off a nail-biter against Ole Miss—and the actual National Championship.
It’s a bit of a ghost town on the gridiron right now. Honestly, after the chaos of the last few weeks, the players probably need the breather more than we do. But if you're asking what time is the college football game on today, the answer is 0:00. At least for live action.
Why the Schedule is Empty Today
The College Football Playoff (CFP) structure for the 2025-26 season is built around massive weekend windows and specific holiday slots. Since the Semifinals wrapped up on January 8 and 9, the powers that be have cleared the schedule. They want all the hype, all the media cycles, and every single ounce of fan energy focused on the title game coming up next Monday.
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You won't find a random Thursday night MACtion game or a Sun Belt clash tonight. Those are long gone. Instead, the "game" today is happening in the film rooms and on the practice fields in Coral Gables and Bloomington.
When Do We Actually Play Again?
The wait is almost over, but you’ve still got a few days of looking at "TBA" or empty slots on your TV guide. Mark your calendar for the big one.
The CFP National Championship Game
- Who: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami
- Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: ESPN
- Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
This matchup is kinda wild. You've got Indiana, a team that has been a freight train all year, going up against a Miami squad that has survived more "impossible" situations than a Hollywood action hero. The Hoosiers are the favorites, coming off that massive 56-26 win over Oregon, but Miami hasn't cared about odds all postseason.
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What to Watch Instead Today (January 15)
So, the pads aren't popping, but if you have a sports-shaped hole in your heart tonight, you aren't totally out of luck.
If you flip over to the Big Ten Network, they are running a marathon of "The B1G Show" and "The Journey." They’re basically doing a deep dive into how Indiana managed to climb to the top of the mountain. It’s a decent way to scout the Hoosiers before Monday.
Over on ESPNU, you can catch re-airs of the Quarterfinals. At 11:00 p.m. ET tonight, they’re showing the Miami vs. Ohio State Cotton Bowl classic. If you missed how the Hurricanes managed to upset the Buckeyes 24-14, that’s your chance to see the defensive masterclass that put them on this path.
Also, for the general sports fans, there’s a massive NBA game on Amazon Prime Video tonight at 10:00 p.m. ET. The Knicks are taking on the Warriors. It’s not football, sure, but it’s live and it’ll keep you occupied.
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The National Championship Outlook
When we finally get to Monday, keep an eye on the health of Indiana’s backfield. They’ve been punishing teams on the ground, but Miami’s defensive front is arguably the stickiest they’ve faced all season.
Miami is effectively playing a home game since the championship is at Hard Rock Stadium. That "home-field advantage" is a real thing people are debating right now. Does a No. 10 seed deserve to have the biggest game of the year in their backyard? Probably not, but that’s how the rotation fell this year.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there’s no live game today, here is how you should actually spend your Thursday to get ready for the National Championship:
- Check your streaming logins. Monday night is going to have massive traffic. If you’re using YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo, make sure your subscription didn't lapse.
- Clear your DVR. ESPNU is going to be running "Film Room" episodes and classic replays all weekend. Set those to record now so you can watch the breakdown of Indiana's RPO schemes on your own time.
- Monitor the injury reports. Keep an eye on the "Questionable" tags for Indiana's starting receivers. With three days until the teams arrive in Miami for final walkthroughs, any news today is big news.
While you won't find a live kickoff today, the countdown to January 19 is officially in the "red zone." Enjoy the calm before the storm.