If you’re staring at your TV right now wondering is there any college football games on tonight, I’ve got some news that might be a bit of a bummer. There are actually zero college football games scheduled for tonight, Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Yeah, I know. It feels weird. Usually, a mid-January Saturday is prime time for at least something, right? But the way the calendar fell this year—and the way the new 12-team playoff structure has shifted the postseason—we’ve hit a rare "dark Saturday" for the college ranks.
Basically, the sport is catching its breath. We just came off a chaotic set of semifinals where No. 1 Indiana absolutely dismantled Oregon (56-22, in case you missed that beatdown) and Miami survived a nail-biter against Ole Miss. Now, the NCAA is clearing the deck. They don’t want to compete with the NFL Divisional Round, which is currently hogging all the Saturday oxygen.
Why the Saturday Slate is Empty
Honestly, it’s all about the NFL. If you check the listings, the pros are taking over. We’ve got the Buffalo Bills at the Denver Broncos and a massive NFC West clash between the 49ers and the Seahawks.
College football officials aren't silly. They know that trying to go head-to-head with a Josh Allen playoff game is a losing battle for ratings. So, they’ve tucked the biggest game of the year away for a standalone Monday night slot.
The Road to the National Championship
Since you're looking for football, you’re probably gearing up for the finale. The game we're all waiting for is the College Football Playoff National Championship.
- Matchup: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami
- Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: ESPN
It’s kind of a wild matchup if you think about it. Indiana is sitting there with a nearly perfect season under Curt Cignetti, looking like an absolute machine. Then you have Mario Cristobal’s Miami Hurricanes, who’ve played the "cardiac canes" role all year, winning tight games against Texas A&M and Ohio State just to get here.
What to Watch Tonight Instead
If you’ve got that itch and "wait until Monday" isn't a good enough answer, you've got a few options.
First, the NFL is the obvious pivot. The Broncos are actually slight favorites against the Bills tonight at Empower Field, which should be a cold one. If you’re a college purist, you can scout the talent. A lot of the guys on the field tonight—like Buffalo’s rookies or Denver’s young secondary—were the stars of the Saturday nights we loved just a year or two ago.
If you strictly want college sports, the hardwood is your best bet. Today is a massive day for college hoops. You’ve got Kentucky taking on Tennessee and UConn facing Georgetown. It’s not a goal-line stand, but the atmosphere in those gyms is about as close as you’ll get to a Saturday night in Death Valley right now.
Common Misconceptions About the January Schedule
A lot of people think the bowl season stretches all the way to the title game without a break. That used to be somewhat true in the old BCS days, but the 12-team playoff has changed the rhythm.
Once the semifinals (the Peach and Fiesta Bowls this year) wrapped up on January 8th and 9th, the "Bowl Season" technically ended. Everything now is just the build-up to the National Championship. We don’t have those random minor bowls anymore because, frankly, by mid-January, players are either in the portal or training for the Combine.
The "transfer portal era" has also made it harder to schedule late-January games. Coaches want their rosters settled. Players want to know where they’re going. Playing a random game on January 17th would be a logistical nightmare for a mid-tier program.
Actionable Tips for the National Championship
Since there aren't any games tonight, you might as well prepare for Monday.
- Check your ESPN login: The game is on ESPN, not ABC. If you're a cord-cutter, make sure your Fubo, YouTube TV, or Sling subscription is active before the 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
- Watch the Media Day clips: Since it's Saturday, the teams are currently in Miami doing their final press conferences. Keep an eye on the injury reports for Indiana’s backfield—they’ve been a little banged up since the Oregon game.
- Plan your Monday: Monday night games are notorious for running late. With the trophy presentation, don't expect to be in bed before midnight ET. Plan that Tuesday morning coffee accordingly.
The wait is almost over. While the stadium lights are dim tonight, they'll be blindingly bright at Hard Rock Stadium in just about 48 hours.
Take tonight to enjoy the NFL playoffs or catch a high-stakes basketball game. The Indiana-Miami showdown is going to be worth the wait.