You've probably woken up, grabbed your coffee, and started scrolling through the guides looking for a kickoff. It's mid-January. Traditionally, this is when the college football world is either nursing a hangover from the National Championship or counting down the minutes until spring practice. But things are weird now. Honestly, with the expanded 12-team playoff and the way the calendar stretches, finding ncaa football on television today can feel like a scavenger hunt.
If you’re looking for a live, high-stakes FBS game on this specific Thursday, January 15, 2026, I have some news that might sting a little. There isn't one.
We are currently in the "eye of the storm." The semifinals are over. The dust from the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl has settled. We are exactly four days away from the big one—the College Football Playoff National Championship between #10 Miami and #1 Indiana.
The Current State of NCAA Football on Television Today
So, what is actually on? If you flip to ESPNU or the ACC Network right now, you’re going to see a whole lot of "Instant Classics." Because the live schedule is empty today, the networks are leaning heavily into re-airs.
Specifically, ESPNU has been cycling through the Quarterfinal matchups all morning. You can catch the replay of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (Miami vs. Ohio State) later tonight at 11:00 p.m. ET. If you missed Miami’s upset over the Buckeyes the first time around, it’s worth the watch just to see that Hurricanes defensive line cause absolute chaos.
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- Live Sports Alternative: If you just need a college sports fix, the real action today is on the hardwood.
- The Big One: #1 South Carolina faces #18 Texas in women's hoops at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
- The Undercard: Alabama vs. Auburn (men's) tips off at 9:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
It's a weird gap. Usually, the NFL would fill this Thursday slot, but even the pros are quiet today as they prep for the Divisional Round this weekend. We’re basically in a waiting room.
Why the January 15 Schedule Feels So Empty
The 12-team playoff format changed everything. In the old days, the title game happened around January 7th or 8th. By the 15th, we were already talking about National Signing Day. Now, the season is an endurance test.
The semifinals wrapped up on January 8th and 9th. The organizers purposely leave this week-long gap before the Monday night final. Why? Logistics, mostly. Fans need time to book flights to Miami Gardens. Players need time to heal from a season that, for some of these kids, has now reached 16 games. That's an NFL-length season without the NFL-sized paycheck.
The Replay Schedule for Thursday, Jan 15
If you're determined to see a pigskin on your screen, here is what the "taped" landscape looks like:
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- ACC Network: They are running a marathon of "CFB Playoff First Round" games. You can see the Miami vs. Texas A&M replay at 2:00 p.m.
- SEC Network: Expect to see the Allstate Sugar Bowl (Ole Miss vs. Georgia) re-airing around 10:30 p.m.
- Big Ten Network: They are leaning into Indiana's miracle season with "B1G Football Memories" and various Indiana-centric specials airing throughout the afternoon.
Looking Ahead: The National Championship Countdown
Since there is no live ncaa football on television today, all eyes are pivoting toward Monday, January 19. That is when the season reaches its climax at Hard Rock Stadium.
The matchup is a fascinating one for the "experts" who claimed the playoff expansion would just favor the SEC. We have an ACC underdog in Miami and a Big Ten powerhouse that nobody saw coming in Indiana. The Hoosiers being the #1 seed in mid-January is still a sentence that feels fake to type, yet here we are.
How to Watch the National Championship (Jan 19)
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Main Broadcast: ESPN
- The Megacast: You’ll have the "Film Room" on ESPNU, the "Skycast" on ESPNews, and the hometown radio calls synced to the video on the SEC and ACC Networks respectively.
Actionable Steps for Fans Today
Since you can't watch a live game today, here is how you can actually prepare for the finale:
Check Your Subscriptions Now
Don't wait until Monday at 7:25 p.m. to realize your YouTube TV or Fubo trial expired. If you’re a cord-cutter, make sure your ESPN+ login is active, though keep in mind the main game usually requires a cable "authentication" or a live TV streaming service.
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Digest the Advanced Stats
Take today to look at the matchup beyond the box score. Indiana's success has been built on a "bend-but-don't-break" defensive efficiency that ranks top 5 nationally. Miami, on the other hand, relies on explosive plays. Go to sites like CollegeFootballData.com or SP+ rankings to see why the oddsmakers actually have this as a near-toss-up despite the seeding.
Scout the NFL Draft Board
At least a dozen players on the field Monday will be Sunday starters next year. Use this "off day" to look at the latest big boards from guys like Mel Kiper Jr. or Dane Brugler. Knowing which Miami defensive end is projected as a top-10 pick makes the re-airs on TV tonight a lot more interesting to watch.
The wait is annoying. We get it. But on Monday, when the confetti falls in Miami, this quiet Thursday will feel like a distant memory.