You're looking for the scores. You want to know who is kicking off tonight, which channel to flip to, and whether there's some mid-week "MACtion" style chaos to keep the January chill away. I get it. We’ve all been there, hovering over the remote, hoping for one more Saturday-style fix.
But here’s the cold, hard truth for Thursday, January 15, 2026: there are actually zero college football games on today.
Honestly, it's a bit of a ghost town on the gridiron right now. We are currently in that weird, quiet pocket of the postseason where the dust has settled from the semifinals, but the big stage isn't quite ready yet. If you came here looking for a live kickoff, you're going to find basketball, maybe some hockey, and a whole lot of talking heads analyzing recruiting classes.
But don't bail just yet. While the scoreboard is dark today, we are less than 100 hours away from one of the most improbable National Championship matchups in the history of the sport.
The 2026 National Championship: Mark Your Calendar
Since you're asking what college football games are on today, you’re clearly looking for the next big thing. That "big thing" happens on Monday, January 19, 2026.
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We aren't just getting another Alabama vs. Georgia re-run. This year is different. The 2025-26 season has been an absolute fever dream that ends at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
- The Matchup: #1 Indiana Hoosiers vs. #10 Miami Hurricanes
- The Stakes: The CFP National Championship
- Kickoff Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN
If you told someone three years ago that Indiana would be the #1 seed in a 12-team playoff, they would have probably asked you to take a breathalyzer. Yet, here we are. Curt Cignetti has the Hoosiers at a perfect 15-0. They didn't just stumble into this; they dismantled Oregon 55-26 in the Peach Bowl semifinal. It was clinical. It was scary.
On the other side, you have the "Cardiac Canes." Miami is the #10 seed, making them the lowest seed to ever reach the title game in this format. They’ve been playing with house money since they upset Ohio State in the quarters. Then they clipped Ole Miss 31-27 in a Fiesta Bowl thriller thanks to a late Carson Beck scramble.
Why is today so quiet?
The schedule is empty today because the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee and the networks have shifted to a "Super Bowl" style lead-up. Back in the day, we used to have random bowl games scattered throughout the second week of January. Not anymore.
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With the 12-team expansion that really took hold this season, the calendar has been stretched thin. The semifinals (the Fiesta and Peach Bowls) wrapped up on January 8th and 9th. That leaves a ten-day gap.
Why the gap? It’s basically for three reasons:
- Recovery: These kids aren't pros, even if their NIL deals say otherwise. They just finished a grueling 15-game stretch.
- Logistics: Moving two massive fanbases (and Indiana fans travel surprisingly well when they're winning) to Miami takes time.
- Media Hype: ESPN wants a full week of "Indiana: Basketball School no more?" segments to run on Loop.
So, while there are no college football games on today, the city of Miami is currently transforming into a massive fan zone. If you happen to be in South Beach, the "Playoff Fan Central" at the Miami Beach Convention Center actually opens tomorrow, Friday the 16th.
What to watch instead of college football
Since you’ve got a football-shaped hole in your evening, you have to pivot. You don't have many options if you're strictly looking for NCAA pigskin, but the "Big Ten Network" is currently running marathons of Indiana’s season highlights. It’s actually wild to watch how they’ve operated this year—basically a pro-style efficiency that has caught the entire country off guard.
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If you need live sports right now, the Big Ten is dominating the airwaves with basketball. You can usually catch a double-header on Thursday nights. It’s not a 40-yard bomb to the endzone, but it'll keep the TV warm.
Mapping out the rest of the week
If you're planning your life around the TV schedule, here is how the next few days look leading up to the finale:
- Friday, Jan 16: No games. Fan Central opens in Miami. This is usually when the "National Championship" betting lines start to shift as injury reports become final.
- Saturday, Jan 17: Still no games. Normally, this would be a big NFL playoff day, so college football stays far, far away from the schedule to avoid the ratings slaughter.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Media Day. You’ll see clips of Mario Cristobal and Curt Cignetti giving "coach speak" answers about "playing all four quarters."
- Monday, Jan 19: The Grand Finale. Miami vs. Indiana.
How we got to this empty Thursday
It's worth noting how much the 12-team playoff changed the "feel" of January. Historically, the season ended around January 5th or 6th. Now, because of the extra round of games (the first round started back on December 19th), the season has been pushed almost to the end of the month.
It feels weird. It feels long. But for a team like Miami—who had to win at Texas A&M, then beat Ohio State in Arlington, then beat Ole Miss in Glendale—this week of "nothing" is the only reason their starters might actually be healthy enough to take the field on Monday.
Actionable Insights for Fans
Since you can't watch a game tonight, use this time to get your "ducks in a row" (sorry, Oregon fans) for the Championship.
- Check the Lines: Indiana is currently an 8.5-point favorite. That feels high for a Miami team that keeps winning as an underdog, but Indiana's point differential this year is historic.
- Watch the Weather: It’s Miami in January. It’ll be beautiful, but the humidity can sometimes play a factor for teams coming from the Midwest.
- Secure your Stream: If you’re cutting the cord, make sure your YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV subscription hasn't lapsed. There is nothing worse than trying to log in at 7:29 PM and realizing you've been logged out.
Basically, enjoy the night off. Grab some wings, watch some hoops, and get ready for Monday. The Hoosiers are playing for their first-ever national title in football, and the U is trying to bring the trophy back to Coral Gables for the first time since 2001. Today is just the calm before a very loud storm.