If you’re staring at your TV guide right now wondering what channel is college football on tonight, I have some news that might be a little frustrating if you were hoping for a live kickoff.
Tonight is Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Honestly, the gridiron is a bit quiet today on the collegiate front. We are currently in that weird, high-anxiety limbo—the literal eve of the biggest game of the year. There are no live FBS college football games on the schedule for tonight.
None.
The sport basically hits a "pause" button on Sundays in January to stay out of the way of the NFL Divisional Playoffs. If you flip on the TV right now, you’re going to see the Houston Texans taking on the New England Patriots or the Rams facing the Bears. The NCAA knows better than to compete with that ratings juggernaut.
But don't walk away just yet. While there isn't a game tonight, the National Championship is less than 24 hours away, and there is a ton of "Selection Sunday" style hype happening across the networks.
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Where to Find College Football Coverage Tonight
Even though there’s no live action, the sports networks are in full-blown hype mode for tomorrow’s title game. If you're looking for analysis, team news, or just want to see the talking heads debate the spread, here is where you should point your remote.
ESPN and the SEC Network
ESPN is the primary home for the College Football Playoff. Tonight, they’ve cleared a lot of space for National Championship previews. You’ll mostly find SportsCenter specials and "Championship Drive" segments throughout the evening. They are broadcasting live from Miami Gardens, so you’ll get plenty of shots of Hard Rock Stadium and weather reports that will probably mention it’s a lot warmer there than where you are.
Big Ten Network and ACC Network
Since we have a massive matchup tomorrow between No. 1 Indiana and No. 10 Miami, these conference-specific channels are going 24/7 with team-specific content.
- The Big Ten Network is currently running marathons of Indiana’s path to the final. If you want to see how Curt Cignetti turned the Hoosiers into an undefeated powerhouse, that’s your spot.
- The ACC Network is doing the same for the Hurricanes. Miami fans are basically treating tonight like a holiday, and the coverage reflects that.
Streaming Options
If you’ve cut the cord, you aren't out of luck. ESPN+ has a variety of "Road to the Championship" documentaries and archived games from earlier this season. It's a good way to kill time if the NFL games tonight turn into blowouts.
Why There Are No Games Tonight
It feels weird, right? You’d think with the explosion of the 12-team playoff, they might sneak a game onto a Sunday.
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But the reality is that Sunday belongs to the NFL. Specifically, today is the NFL Divisional Round. Networks like CBS, FOX, and NBC have multi-billion dollar contracts that ensure they have the undivided attention of football fans on this specific Sunday.
College football typically stays on Saturdays, with the occasional weeknight game for the "MACtion" fans or the Friday night spotlights. The National Championship has a long-standing tradition of owning Monday night. It’s the one night of the week where they don't have to share the spotlight with the pros.
Tomorrow’s Massive Matchup: What You Need to Know
Since you were looking for what channel is college football on tonight, you’re clearly gearing up for the finale. Here is the vital info for the game that actually matters.
The 2026 CFP National Championship
- Teams: No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers vs. No. 10 Miami Hurricanes
- Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: ESPN
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
This is a historic game for a few reasons. First off, Indiana. If you told someone three years ago that the Hoosiers would be 15-0 and playing for a title, they’d have asked if you were talking about basketball. Curt Cignetti has pulled off arguably the greatest coaching turnaround in the history of the sport.
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Then you have Miami. This is essentially a home game for the Hurricanes. They are playing in their own stadium, though they are technically the "visiting" team on the scoreboard. The atmosphere is going to be electric, or chaotic, depending on how much you like the "U."
What to Watch If You’re Bored Tonight
Since the live games are MIA, here’s a quick list of what you can actually watch if you need a football fix before tomorrow:
- NFL Playoffs: Texans at Patriots (3:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN) and Rams at Bears (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC).
- College Basketball: There is actually a decent amount of hoops on. For instance, UCF is taking on Colorado at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
- The B1G Show: Big Ten Network is running constant analysis of the IU/Miami matchup starting at 10:30 p.m. ET tonight.
- Replays: Check your local listings for "Bowl Season" replays. Often, ESPNU will air the semifinals (The Peach Bowl and Fiesta Bowl) on the night before the championship.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Don't wait until 7:25 p.m. tomorrow to realize your streaming subscription expired.
- Check your ESPN login: Make sure your provider hasn't dropped the channel. It happens more than you'd think during these contract disputes.
- Clear your DVR: If you can’t watch live, ensure you have about four hours of space. Championship games are notorious for long halftime shows and endless commercials.
- Set your alerts: Follow beat writers for Indiana and Miami on social media tonight. This is when the last-minute injury reports or "flu game" rumors usually start leaking out.
- Plan your snacks: Tomorrow is a Monday night, which is a tough night for a party. Get your wings ordered early; every sports bar in the country is going to be slammed.
So, while the answer to what channel is college football on tonight is "none of them," the wait is almost over. Rest your voice tonight, because tomorrow night is going to be loud.