You’ve probably settled onto the couch, remote in hand, ready to catch some mid-week gridiron chaos, only to find... nothing. It’s a weird feeling. For the last three weeks, we’ve been absolutely spoiled with a non-stop barrage of games, from the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl to the heavy hitters on New Year’s Day. But if you're asking is there any bowl games on today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the short answer is no.
The stadium lights are dark tonight. The band isn't playing.
Honestly, it feels like a bit of a hangover after the frantic energy of the playoffs. We just came off an incredible weekend where the field was narrowed down to the final two teams, and now we’re in that strange, quiet lull before the biggest game of the year.
The Current State of the Postseason
The 2025-26 bowl season has effectively wrapped up its "traditional" slate. Most of the non-playoff games, like the Duke's Mayo Bowl or the Liberty Bowl, finished up in that first week of January. We've seen the 12-team playoff format flex its muscles this year, and while it's been a blast, it also means the schedule is structured differently than what we’re used to.
Right now, we are in the "eye of the storm." The semifinals are in the rearview mirror. Last week, on January 8 and 9, we saw the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl determine who gets to play for the crystal football.
📖 Related: Matthew Berry Positional Rankings: Why They Still Run the Fantasy Industry
In the Fiesta Bowl, No. 10 Miami pulled off yet another gutsy win, taking down No. 6 Ole Miss 31-27. Meanwhile, at the Peach Bowl, the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers continued their historic, undefeated run by dismantling Oregon 55-26.
So, what happened to the games today? Basically, the NCAA and the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee give these two finalists—Miami and Indiana—a full ten days to recover, travel, and prep. It’s the calm before the storm at Hard Rock Stadium.
Why the Gap Between Games Exists
If you’re a die-hard fan, this gap is frustrating. You want football every night. But if you look at it from the players' perspective, this break is mandatory.
These kids have played a brutal schedule. Miami, for instance, has already played 15 games this season. Indiana is sitting at 15-0. That’s an NFL-length season without the professional-grade recovery facilities for every single player. By the time we get to mid-January, rosters are held together by tape and sheer willpower.
👉 See also: What Time Did the Cubs Game End Today? The Truth About the Off-Season
Moving the National Championship to a Monday night (January 19) is a tradition at this point, but it creates this "dead zone" in the second week of January where the only thing on TV is college basketball and NHL reruns.
What to Watch While You Wait
Since there aren't any live bowl games on today, you've basically got two options to get your fix.
First, the replays. If you check out the ACC Network or the SEC Network today, they’re running marathons of the earlier rounds. You can re-watch Miami’s upset over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl or Indiana’s dominant performance against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. It’s not live, but it beats watching weather reports.
Second, the Transfer Portal. This is where the real "game" is happening right now. While the finalists are practicing, every other team in the country is in a frantic arms race. Coaches are losing sleep, players are entering the portal, and the 2026 rosters are being built as we speak.
✨ Don't miss: Jake Ehlinger Sign: The Real Story Behind the College GameDay Controversy
Looking Ahead to the National Championship
The wait is almost over, though. While tonight is quiet, we are only a few days away from the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship.
- Who: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami
- When: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
- TV: ESPN / ESPN2 (Field Pass)
This matchup is wild. You have Indiana, a program that was a perennial underdog for decades, standing one win away from a perfect 16-0 season. Then you have Miami, the "Cardiac Canes," who have been the bracket-busters of the year, winning three straight games as lower seeds to get here.
Actionable Steps for Fans
Don't just stare at a blank screen today. Use this downtime to get ready for Monday’s finale:
- Check your subscription: Ensure your ESPN login or streaming service (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, etc.) is active. There’s nothing worse than a "service unavailable" message five minutes before kickoff.
- Clear your Monday night: The National Championship is a marathon, often lasting four hours with the halftime shows and trophy presentations.
- Monitor the injury reports: Keep an eye on Miami's defensive line and Indiana's backfield. With ten days of rest, some key players who missed the semifinals might actually suit up for the title game.
Even though there isn't a game on the schedule for tonight, the biggest one is just around the corner. Take a breath, let the hype build, and get ready for Monday.