Honestly, if you’re staring at your TV screen right now hoping to find a live kickoff, you’re going to be a little disappointed. It is Saturday, January 17, 2026. Usually, Saturdays in the fall are a religious experience of triple-option offenses and goal-post tear-downs. But today? The scoreboard is dark.
We are currently in that weird, jittery "limbo" week. The bowl season has officially wrapped its massive, chaotic arms around us and said goodbye. All that’s left is the big one. The College Football Playoff National Championship between No. 1 Indiana and No. 10 Miami is just 48 hours away.
What College Football Games Are On Right Now? (The Real Talk)
There are zero live FBS college football games happening today, January 17.
I know, it feels wrong. You’ve spent the last four months conditioned to wake up, grab a coffee, and watch some MACtion or a SEC slugfest. But the 12-team playoff format has shifted the rhythm of the post-season. We just came off a wild Semifinal round where Indiana absolutely dismantled Oregon 55-26 and Miami outlasted Ole Miss in a 31-27 thriller.
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Instead of live games, today is all about the "Fan Central" vibe down in South Beach. If you’re in Miami, the place is electric. They’ve got Media Day happening at the Miami Beach Convention Center where Mario Cristobal and Curt Cignetti are answering the same questions for the thousandth time.
Why the schedule looks so empty
Basically, the calendar makers wanted to give the National Championship its own dedicated "Big Event" weekend, much like the Super Bowl. Since the title game is set for Monday night (January 19), they don't want to bury small-school games or random exhibition matches in the shadow of the Hoosiers and Hurricanes.
If you absolutely need a football fix today, you’ll have to look toward the pros. The NFL Divisional Playoffs are actually taking over the airwaves this afternoon. It’s a bit of a trade-off. You lose the marching bands and the "turnover chains," but you get the highest level of the sport while waiting for Monday night.
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What Most People Get Wrong About This Gap
A lot of fans assume that because there aren't games "on right now," the season is over. That couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, for the first time in basically forever, we have a "Cinderella" vs. "The U" matchup that has everyone's brain melting.
Indiana is 15-0. Let that sink in. The Hoosiers! They’ve spent decades as the punching bag of the Big Ten, and now they’re the top-seeded juggernaut favored by 8.5 points. Meanwhile, Miami is the No. 10 seed that refused to die. They went into College Station and beat Texas A&M, then stunned Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.
So, while there isn't a game to watch at this exact second, the "game" is happening in the film rooms. Miami’s defensive front is trying to figure out how to stop Indiana’s Mendoza from throwing another four touchdowns. Indiana is trying to figure out how to contain Miami’s freshman phenom Malachi Toney.
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The Next Big Kickoff: Mark Your Calendar
Since you can't watch a game right now, you need to be ready for the grand finale.
- The Matchup: No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers vs. No. 10 Miami Hurricanes
- When: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Channel: ESPN
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
It’s going to be a home game for the Canes, basically. The atmosphere in Miami Gardens is going to be suffocatingly loud. If Miami wins, it’s their sixth title and a return to the "Bad Boys" era glory. If Indiana wins, it’s arguably the greatest single-season turnaround in the history of American sports.
What to do while you wait
Since the "what college football games are on right now" answer is a big fat zero, here is how you should spend your Saturday to stay in the loop:
- Watch the NFL Divisional Round: It’s the closest thing to the intensity we’ll see on Monday.
- Check the Transfer Portal: While the championship teams are focused on Miami, the rest of the country is in a recruiting frenzy. Names are hitting the portal every hour.
- Scout the Odds: Indiana opened as a heavy favorite, but the "hometown" underdog story for Miami is driving a lot of late money.
- Hit the Highlights: Go back and watch Indiana’s Rose Bowl win over Alabama. It was a masterclass in modern offensive football that still doesn't feel real.
The wait is almost over. Grab some wings, settle for the NFL today, and get your mind right for Monday night. The biggest game in Indiana history—and the biggest Miami game in two decades—is almost here.
Check your local listings for ESPN’s "Championship Drive" specials airing throughout the evening for deep-dive film sessions on Mendoza and the Miami pass rush.