You’ve probably woken up, grabbed your coffee, and started scrolling through your sports apps looking for a kickoff time. It’s Sunday, January 18, 2026. Usually, this time of year feels like a non-stop barrage of pigskin and chaos. But if you’re looking for who plays today in college football, you’re going to find a whole lot of nothing on the scoreboard.
Honestly, it’s a weird little limbo period.
The bowl season has evaporated. The semifinals are in the rearview mirror. We are currently sitting in the eye of the storm, that brief, agonizing multi-day gap before the biggest game of the year. While the NFL is busy hogging the Sunday spotlight with Divisional Round matchups like the Rams and the Bears, college football is taking a collective breath.
The Short Answer: No One
There are zero FBS college football games scheduled for today, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
If you see a headline claiming there's a secret "Consolation Bowl" or some mid-tier matchup happening this afternoon, they’re pulling your leg. The NCAA and the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee generally avoid Sundays like the plague once the NFL playoffs hit high gear. Nobody wants to compete with the ratings juggernaut of the professional divisional round.
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Instead of games, today is all about the "Fan Central" experience down in Miami. If you happen to be in South Florida, the Miami Beach Convention Center is currently packed with fans, mascots, and way too much expensive merch. It’s the final day of the interactive fan fest before everything shifts to Hard Rock Stadium.
When is the Next Real Game?
The wait isn't long, but it’s definitely there. The next time you’ll see a college football game is tomorrow, Monday, January 19, 2026.
This isn't just any game, though. It’s the big one. The College Football Playoff National Championship.
The matchup is a bit of a shocker for traditionalists who expect the usual Alabama-Georgia-Ohio State rotation. This year, we’ve got the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers taking on the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes. Yes, you read that right. Indiana. In a football championship. Curt Cignetti has done something in Bloomington that feels like a fever dream, leading the Hoosiers to a perfect 15-0 record heading into the finale.
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Why Miami is Playing a "Home" Game
The Hurricanes are the story of the year, mostly because they managed to claw their way through the bracket as a double-digit seed. They took down Texas A&M, stunned Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, and then outlasted Ole Miss 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal.
Now, they get to play for the title in their own backyard at Hard Rock Stadium.
Technically, Indiana is the higher seed and the "home" team on the scoreboard, but let’s be real. It’s going to be a sea of orange and green in Miami Gardens. The oddsmakers aren't swayed by the geography, though; Indiana opened as an 8.5-point favorite. The Hoosiers' offense has been a buzzsaw all year, and that's the primary reason they're expected to hoist the trophy tomorrow night.
What to Watch Today Instead
Since the college gridiron is cold today, most fans are pivoting to the NFL or college hoops. If you’re a die-hard college sports fan and need that fix, the women's basketball slate is actually pretty decent. Wisconsin is hosting Oregon at the Kohl Center later this afternoon.
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But for football? You’re stuck waiting.
Tomorrow's National Championship Details
If you’re planning your Monday night, here is the essential info for the game that officially ends the season:
- Matchup: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
- Channel: ESPN
- Radio: SiriusXM 80, 81, or 84
It’s been a wild ride getting to this point. The new 12-team playoff format has definitely extended the season, which is why we're playing deep into January now. It feels longer because it is. We’ve traded a shorter season for more high-stakes games, and while today’s empty schedule is a bit of a bummer, the payoff tomorrow night should be massive.
Next Steps for Fans:
Check your local listings for any "Road to the Championship" specials airing today on ESPN or ABC. These usually fill the Sunday void with deep-dive breakdowns of the Indiana-Miami matchup. If you're betting the game, keep an eye on the injury reports for the Hoosiers' secondary, as that line might shift if any starters are ruled out before tomorrow's kickoff.