So, you're looking for the Saturday slate. You’ve got the wings ready, the couch is calling your name, and you’re scrolling through the guide trying to figure out what college football games are on this weekend.
Here is the cold, hard truth: there aren't any.
Well, let me be specific. There are no live, meaningful FBS games happening this Saturday, January 17, or Sunday, January 18, 2026. We are currently in that weird, quiet "limbo" week. The semifinals wrapped up last week with Indiana and Miami punching their tickets to the big dance, and now the sport just... stops. For a minute. It's the calm before the storm that is the National Championship on Monday night.
Why the Schedule is Empty Right Now
Most fans are used to the old-school bowl calendar where games were scattered throughout the second week of January. But with the expanded 12-team playoff format fully in flight, the calendar has shifted. The College Football Playoff semifinals (the Fiesta and Peach Bowls) took place on January 8 and 9. Once those were decided, the non-playoff bowl season officially ended.
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If you turn on your TV this Saturday, you're going to see a whole lot of NFL Divisional Playoff action instead. The NFL basically owns this weekend.
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 p.m. ET) and the San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 p.m. ET).
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 p.m. ET) and the LA Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 p.m. ET).
Basically, if you were hoping for college ball today, you're going to have to settle for the pros or some classic re-runs.
What College Football Games Are On This Weekend (On Replay)
If you are absolutely desperate for a college fix, ESPNU and the conference networks (like the ACC Network and SEC Network) are essentially running "marathons" of the season's best games.
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Honestly, it’s kinda fun to look back at how Indiana became a juggernaut. On Saturday morning, you'll likely find re-airs of the Rose Bowl Quarterfinal, where Indiana absolutely dismantled Alabama 38-3. It was one of those "is this real life?" moments for Hoosier fans. Later that evening, expect to see the Fiesta Bowl semifinal replay—Miami’s 31-27 thriller over Ole Miss.
If you missed those live, now is the time to catch up so you actually know what’s happening when the title game kicks off.
The Big One: Monday, January 19
The reason this weekend is empty is that everything is funneling toward Monday night. This is the one we’ve been waiting for.
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No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami
- When: Monday, Jan 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
- Channel: ESPN
It’s a bizarre matchup on paper. You have a No. 10 seed in Miami playing what is essentially a home game in their own stadium, though they are technically the "visiting" team. Then you have Indiana, a program that hasn't seen this kind of success since, well, ever. Curt Cignetti has turned that program into a machine.
Dealing With the "No Game" Blues
It feels wrong to have a Saturday in January without a kickoff. I get it. But use this weekend to actually prep for the National Championship.
- Check the Injuries: Keep an eye on the Mendoza brothers for Indiana. There’s been some chatter about lingering soreness after that track meet of a game against Oregon in the Peach Bowl.
- Scout the Weather: It’s Miami in January. It’ll be perfect, but for the fans traveling from Bloomington, the temperature shock is going to be real.
- Fantasy/Betting Lines: Indiana is currently an 8.5-point favorite. That feels high for a team playing in the Hurricanes' backyard, doesn't it? Miami has survived as an underdog all tournament.
While the answer to what college football games are on this weekend is technically "none," the season isn't over. It’s just holding its breath. Take the weekend to watch the NFL, or maybe go outside for a bit. Monday is going to be a long night.
Actionable Next Steps
- Clear your Monday night schedule: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. If you have a DVR, set it now just in case.
- Find a replay: Check the ESPNU schedule for Sunday morning. They usually run a "Road to the Championship" block that highlights both Indiana's and Miami's path through the bracket.
- Update your apps: Ensure your ESPN or streaming app is logged in and updated. Nothing ruins a National Championship like a "forgotten password" or a mandatory update at 7:29 p.m.