If you’re sitting on the couch right now, remote in hand, wondering who is playing college football tonight, I’ve got some news that might be a little bit of a letdown. Or maybe it’s a relief?
Honestly, there are no FBS college football games tonight, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
It feels weird, right? We’ve spent months with a schedule so packed it felt like a full-time job just to keep up. But tonight is that rare, quiet "Championship Eve." The calm before the massive storm that is the College Football Playoff National Championship. Instead of the usual Saturday night chaos, the gridiron is basically dark to make room for the NFL Divisional Round—today we saw the Texans take on the Patriots and the Rams battle the Bears.
But don't toss the remote just yet. Even if there isn't a kickoff tonight, the college football world is vibrating. We are less than 24 hours away from the biggest game of the year.
Why the Schedule is Empty Tonight
Most years, the gap between the semifinals and the final is a bit of a desert. This year is no different. Since the National Championship is set for tomorrow, Monday, January 19, the NCAA and the networks don't want to dilute the product. They also definitely don't want to compete with the NFL playoffs, which own Sunday nights in January like a landlord who never forgets the rent.
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If you're looking for something to scratch the itch, ESPN is running a "Path to the College Football Playoff" special at 9 p.m. ET. It's basically a highlight reel to remind you how Indiana and Miami actually got here. It’s decent background noise if you’re prepping wings for tomorrow.
The Matchup Everyone is Waiting For
Since you were looking for who is playing college football tonight, you're clearly ready for the finale. Tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, we get the game of the century—at least for folks in Bloomington and Coral Gables.
No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami.
Yeah, you read that right. Indiana. The Hoosiers. The team that used to be the "easy win" on everyone's schedule is the top seed in the country. It’s been a wild ride. They absolutely dismantled Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl semifinal.
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On the other side, the Miami Hurricanes are playing basically a home game at Hard Rock Stadium. They aren't just "back"—they're dangerous. They clawed through a 31-27 nail-biter against Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl to get here.
What to Watch While You Wait
Since the live games are MIA tonight, here’s how the landscape looks for your sports fix:
- NFL Playoffs: As mentioned, the Divisional Round is the big ticket tonight. If you missed the earlier games, the Rams and Bears are the primetime focus.
- College Basketball: There was some decent action earlier today—Missouri at Florida and Iowa State at Oklahoma State. If you're lucky, you might catch a West Coast replay.
- The "Taste of the Championship": If you happen to be in Miami, there’s an official CFP event happening right now (5:00 PM to 8:00 PM) where you can eat fancy food and talk about the game you wish was on tonight.
It’s kind of funny. We spend all year complaining about too many games, and then we get to a Sunday in January where we're actually searching for who is playing college football tonight just to feel something.
Get Ready for Monday Night
The wait is almost over. Tomorrow’s National Championship isn't just a game; it's the culmination of the second year of the 12-team playoff format. It’s proven that the "little guys" like Indiana can not only compete but dominate.
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If you're planning your Monday:
- Clear the schedule by 7:00 p.m. ET. Pre-game starts early.
- Check your streaming. If you're using Fubo or YouTube TV, make sure your subscription didn't lapse during the off-week.
- Expect a high-scoring affair. Both these teams have offenses that don't know how to slow down.
So, while the answer to "who is playing" is "nobody," the answer to "when can I watch again" is very soon. Set the alarm. Prep the snacks. Tomorrow, the Hoosiers and the Canes settle it once and for all.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your local listings for the ESPN "Path to the College Football Playoff" special airing tonight at 9 p.m. ET to get fully briefed on the Indiana vs. Miami rosters before tomorrow's 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff.