So, you’ve got your wings ready, the couch is calling your name, and you’re wondering which college football games are on today. Honestly? If you’re looking for meaningful FBS action this Saturday, January 17, 2026, I have some bad news for your remote.
The stadium lights are actually dark today.
It’s that weird, purgatory-like weekend between the high-octane drama of the College Football Playoff semifinals and the massive National Championship showdown. We’re in the eye of the hurricane—literally, since the final game is happening in Miami this year. Most fans are currently scratching their heads, realizing the typical Saturday morning ritual of "Gameday" and noon kickoffs has officially hit its postseason pause.
The Reality of Which College Football Games Are On Today
If you check the TV guide, you won't find a single FBS game on the schedule. Zero. Zip. The 2025-26 season has narrowed down to just two survivors: the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers and the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes. Since their National Championship matchup is set for Monday night, today is strictly for travel, media obligations, and coaches obsessing over film in dark rooms.
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But wait. Don't throw the remote just yet.
While the "real" games are on hiatus, today is technically Media Day for the National Championship. If you flip over to the ACC Network or Big Ten Network around 9:00 a.m. ET, you'll see Curt Cignetti and Mario Cristobal trying to sound humble while secretly planning each other's demise. It’s not a game, but it’s the closest thing we’ve got to "live" college football today.
What happened to the usual Saturday schedule?
Usually, we'd be used to a full slate, but the 12-team playoff expansion changed the rhythm. We just came off a wild Semifinal weekend where Miami edged out Ole Miss 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl and Indiana absolutely dismantled Oregon 55-26 in the Peach Bowl.
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The NCAA intentionally keeps this Saturday clear of college games to avoid competing with the NFL Divisional Playoffs. Today, the pros own the airwaves. If you’re desperate for football, you’re watching the NFL—which is basically just college football with bigger paychecks anyway.
Why Everyone is Talking About Monday Instead
The reason people keep searching for which college football games are on today is because the hype for Monday is reaching a fever pitch. This isn't just another title game; it’s a collision of two programs that nobody—and I mean nobody—predicted would be here back in August.
- Indiana (15-0): The Hoosiers are the story of the decade. Curt Cignetti told fans to "Google him" when he took the job, and now he’s one win away from a perfect season.
- Miami (13-2): The "U" is officially back. They entered the playoff as the No. 10 seed and have played the role of giant-killer ever since, knocking off Texas A&M and Ohio State.
The Mendoza family is basically the protagonist of this game. You’ve got Fernando and Alberto Mendoza—quarterbacks for Indiana and Miami, respectively—whose father played at the same high school as Miami coach Mario Cristobal. It’s a Florida soap opera played out on a national stage.
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The All-Star Exception
Sometimes people get confused because of the East-West Shrine Bowl or the Senior Bowl. Those are the "other" games. However, even those aren't today. The Shrine Bowl is scheduled for January 27 in Frisco, Texas, and the Senior Bowl follows on January 31 in Mobile, Alabama. If you see guys in college helmets today, it's likely a replay or a very specific FCS-level highlight reel.
How to Prepare for the National Championship
Since there are no games today, you should probably use this time to fix your setup for Monday. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at Hard Rock Stadium.
- Check your streaming lag: If you're watching on YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, you're probably 30 seconds behind the Twitter (X) spoilers. Use today to calibrate your "do not disturb" settings.
- Scout the lines: Indiana opened as an 8.5-point favorite. That feels high given how Miami’s defense has looked lately, but Indiana’s offense is a literal machine.
- Find the "Command Center": On Monday, ESPN will have about twelve different ways to watch the game. If you like nerdy film breakdown, look for the "Coaches Film Room" broadcast.
It’s kinda weird having a Saturday with no college football. I get it. We’ve been spoiled since August. But this break is necessary. By Monday night, the energy in Miami Gardens is going to be electric, and you’ll be glad you had a day to recover from the stress of the semifinals.
Actionable Next Step: Set your DVR or calendar alert for the CFP National Championship: No. 10 Miami vs. No. 1 Indiana for Monday, January 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Since there is no live action today, use this afternoon to catch the NFL Divisional Playoff games if you need a football fix before the college season officially ends its 12-team playoff journey.