If you’re waking up on Saturday, January 17, 2026, looking for a kickoff, I’ve got some news that might be a bit of a bummer if you haven’t checked the bracket lately. There aren't any ESPN college bowl games today.
I know, I know. We’ve been spoiled for a month straight with triple-headers and midweek MACtion madness. But we’ve officially hit that weird, quiet pocket between the high-octane semifinals and the massive finale. Most of the 40-plus bowl games are already in the history books. We’ve seen the Gator Bowl, the Pop-Tarts Bowl (and its questionable edible mascot), and the New Year’s Six quarterfinals come and go.
Right now, the college football world is basically holding its collective breath. Everyone is down in South Florida, probably stuck in traffic on I-95, getting ready for the only game that matters now. We are exactly 48 hours out from the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Why the Schedule is Empty Today
So, why the radio silence on the field? Basically, the NCAA and ESPN want the National Championship to feel like a standalone event. They don’t want a random mid-tier bowl game in Birmingham or Shreveport distracting you from the hype building in Miami.
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Honestly, today is all about the "pageantry" and the media circus. If you flip on ESPN right now, you aren’t going to see live football. Instead, you’re getting Media Day. From 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET at the Miami Beach Convention Center, coaches and players from Indiana and Miami are sitting at podiums answering the same questions for the thousandth time.
It’s actually kinda fascinating to see the contrast. You’ve got Curt Cignetti’s Indiana squad, the ultimate "why not us?" story, facing off against Mario Cristobal’s Miami Hurricanes in what is essentially a home game for the U.
What to Watch While You Wait
Even though there aren't any ESPN college bowl games today, you aren't totally out of luck for sports. If you’re a college sports junkie, the focus has shifted heavily to the hardwood.
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- Gonzaga vs. Seattle: This is a big one tonight at 7:00 p.m. WCC action is heating up, and the Zags are always a draw.
- The B1G Show: Big Ten Network is running constant loops of their season analysis. If you want to see how Indiana actually pulled off this miracle run, that’s where you’ll find the deep-dive film sessions.
- Playoff Playlist Live: If you happen to be in Miami, Calvin Harris and John Summit are playing at Lummus Park tonight. It’s basically a massive party to distract everyone from the fact that we have to wait until Monday for football.
The Big One: Miami vs. Indiana (January 19)
Let’s talk about what’s actually left on the ESPN schedule. The National Championship is set for Monday, January 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. It’s happening at Hard Rock Stadium.
This matchup is wild. Indiana is 15-0. Read that again. The Hoosiers—a team that was a perennial basement dweller—are the #1 seed and favored by about 8.5 points. They just got through dismanteling Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl. It wasn't even close.
On the other side, you have the #10 Miami Hurricanes. They’ve played the "cardiac canes" role all season. They scraped past Ole Miss 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl to get here. For Miami fans, this is the culmination of years of "we're back" promises finally coming true.
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The storylines are everywhere. Both teams have quarterbacks who played at the same high school in Miami (Christopher Columbus High). It’s basically a neighborhood rivalry played out on the biggest stage in the world.
Upcoming All-Star Games
Once the championship wraps up on Monday, the "real" bowl season is over, but the draft season begins. If you’re still craving football after the trophy is raised, keep these dates on your calendar:
- East-West Shrine Bowl: Tuesday, January 27 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
- Senior Bowl: Saturday, January 31 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
These aren't "bowl games" in the traditional sense of teams competing for a season title, but they are the first look at the guys who will be Saturday stars in the NFL next September.
Actionable Next Steps
Since the gridiron is cold today, here is how you can actually prepare for the National Championship on Monday:
- Check your local ESPN listings: Ensure you have access to the "MegaCast." Usually, ESPN2 or ESPNU will have the "Coaches Film Room" or "Skycast" views, which are honestly way better than the standard broadcast if you like the tactical side of things.
- Download the ESPN App: They’ll be streaming Media Day highlights and injury reports all day Saturday and Sunday.
- Verify Kickoff: Remember, it’s 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday. If you're on the West Coast, make sure you're out of work or have the DVR set for 4:30 p.m.
The wait is almost over. Enjoy the basketball tonight, grab some wings, and get ready for one of the most improbable National Championships in history.