Honestly, if you woke up today looking for the ncaaf tv schedule for today, you’re probably feeling a little bit like a kid who showed up to school on a Saturday. It’s Friday, January 16, 2026. Usually, Friday nights are for high school lights or early-season college openers. But mid-January?
That’s a different beast entirely.
There are actually zero live college football games on TV today.
I know, it’s a bummer. After months of Saturdays that felt like 14-hour marathons of wings and stress, the schedule has narrowed down to a single, solitary point on the horizon. We are currently in that weird "limbo week" between the Semifinals and the Big One. If you flip on ESPN or the ACC Network right now, you aren't going to see a live kickoff. Instead, you're going to see a lot of guys in suits talking about Miami and Indiana until your ears bleed.
The NCAAF TV Schedule for Today is All About the Hype
Since there are no live snaps today, the networks are pivoting hard toward "Championship Weekend" programming. Most of the action is actually happening on the ground in Miami rather than on your television screen.
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If you're looking for something to scratch the itch, the ACC Network and ESPNU are basically running a 24-hour loop of "How did we get here?" Replays of the Fiesta Bowl (where Miami took down Ole Miss 31-27) and the Peach Bowl (where Indiana absolutely dismantled Oregon 56-22) are the main course.
Basically, today is "Media Day" lite.
- 10:00 AM ET (ESPNU): Replay of the Orange Bowl (Oregon vs. Texas Tech).
- 1:00 PM ET (ESPNU): Replay of the Rose Bowl (Alabama vs. Indiana).
- 7:30 PM ET (ESPN): College Football Live – Expect a heavy dose of analysis on the Indiana defense.
What Really Happened with the Schedule This Year?
A lot of people are confused by the 12-team playoff format. It’s still relatively new, and the timing feels... off. Normally, we’d be done by now. But with the expanded bracket, the season has stretched deeper into January than ever before.
The ncaaf tv schedule for today is empty because the NCAA wants to give the two finalists—No. 10 Miami and No. 1 Indiana—a full ten days to recover. These kids have played more football than any college generation in history. Miami, for example, had to win a road game at Texas A&M, then beat Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, and then survive Ole Miss just to get here.
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That’s a pro-level grind.
If they played today, half the starters would be held together by athletic tape and prayer. So, the "today" schedule is purely for the fans who are traveling. In Miami Gardens, there’s a Category 5 Pep Rally happening at the Lakeside Patio from noon to 3:00 PM. If you're stuck on your couch in Indiana or New York, you're mostly just getting highlights.
Why Indiana vs. Miami is a Weirdly Perfect Finale
It’s kinda wild that we ended up with these two. Most experts (the ones who get paid to look smart on TV) had Georgia or Ohio State penciled in for this Monday night slot. Instead, we have a "Cinderella" in the #10 Hurricanes—who are technically playing at home in Hard Rock Stadium—and a Hoosiers team that hasn't lost a meaningful game all year.
Indiana's rise under this coaching staff is basically the biggest story in the sport. They aren't just winning; they are embarrassing people. That 56-22 win over Oregon wasn't a fluke. It was a statement.
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Looking Ahead: The Only Game That Matters
Since the ncaaf tv schedule for today is a wash, you really only need to circle one date on your calendar.
Monday, January 19, 2026
- Matchup: #10 Miami Hurricanes vs. #1 Indiana Hoosiers
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Channel: ESPN (and the usual MegaCast options on ESPN2/ESPNU)
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
It’s the first time we’ve seen a team (Miami) play for a national title in their own home stadium since the mid-90s. Even though they are the "visiting" team on the scoreboard, the crowd is going to be a sea of orange and green.
Actionable Steps for Today
Since you can't watch a live game, here is how you can actually prepare for the National Championship:
- Check the Injury Reports: Keep a close eye on Miami's secondary. They took some hits in the Fiesta Bowl, and going up against Indiana’s passing attack with a hobbled backfield is a recipe for disaster.
- Clear Your Monday Night: This is it. There are no "next games." After Monday, we go into the long, dark winter of no football until August.
- Watch the "Film": If you have DVR, go back and watch the second quarter of the Indiana/Oregon game. Pay attention to the Hoosiers' offensive line. It’s a masterclass in zone blocking that Miami has to solve if they want to stay competitive.
Don't let the empty schedule today fool you. The silence is just the calm before the storm. Spend today catching up on the transfer portal news—which is also closing its window today—and get your snacks ready for Monday night.