You wake up, grab your coffee, and check the schedule for college football games playing today, Thursday, January 15, 2026. You’re ready for some mid-week chaos. Maybe a stray bowl game or some weird FCS matchup you can bet on while ignoring your actual job. But then you look at the slate and realize something depressing.
It's empty.
Basically, we are in that weird, silent pocket of January where the season is technically over for 132 out of 134 FBS teams. The bowl season is dead. The semifinals are in the rearview mirror. We're just floating in this purgatory waiting for the big one on Monday. It’s kinda jarring, isn't it? One week you've got fifteen games on a Saturday, and the next, you're looking at Big Ten Network reruns of a basketball game between Nebraska and Minnesota.
The Reality of College Football Games Playing Today
If you were hoping to see a live kickoff right now, I've got bad news. There are zero live FBS college football games playing today. We just finished the most intense stretch of the new 12-team playoff era. Last week was a bloodbath. On January 8th, the Miami Hurricanes barely escaped Ole Miss with a 31-27 win in the Fiesta Bowl. Then, on January 9th, the Indiana Hoosiers absolutely dismantled Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl.
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That was it. That was the end of the line for the "daily" football fix.
Now, we are in the "Media Week" lull. While there aren't games on the field, the action has moved to Miami, Florida. Hard Rock Stadium is currently being prepped for the National Championship. If you go to Bloomington, Indiana, today, you might find some action—specifically at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. They are literally handing out rally towels from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today just to keep the hype alive because the town is vibrating with nerves.
It’s a strange vibe. We went from 100 to zero real quick.
Why the Schedule Is So Empty
The 12-team playoff changed the rhythm. In the old days, you’d have random minor bowls scattered throughout the second week of January, but the new structure consolidates everything into these massive "Super Weekends."
- The Semifinals are finished. Both the Fiesta and Peach Bowls are in the books.
- The "Buffer Week" is real. To give Indiana and Miami a fair shake at recovering from those semifinal wars, the NCAA gives them a ten-day window.
- The National Championship is the only thing left. Mark your calendar for January 19, 2026. Everything else is just noise at this point.
What’s Actually Happening in the CFB World Right Now?
Even though nobody is tackling each other on television today, the news cycle is actually pretty wild. Just yesterday, the National Football Foundation dropped the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class.
If you're a fan of a certain age, this list is a trip down memory lane. We’re talking about Aaron Donald (Pitt), Marvin Harrison (Syracuse), and Mark Ingram (Alabama) finally getting their due. It’s the kind of news that fills the void when there aren't any actual college football games playing today. Seeing Mark Ingram’s name on a Hall of Fame list makes me feel approximately a thousand years old. Honestly, it feels like he was just stiff-arming people in a Crimson Tide jersey yesterday.
The Indiana vs. Miami Drama
The real story today is the betting line and the sheer "how did we get here?" factor. Indiana is currently an 8.5-point favorite. Read that again. Indiana. The Hoosiers.
Curt Cignetti has done something that people in Bloomington thought was literally impossible. They are 15-0. They aren't just winning; they are vaporizing people. That 56-22 win over Oregon in the semifinal wasn't a fluke; it was a statement.
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On the other side, you've got Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes. They’re the #10 seed. They’ve been the "survive and advance" team of the tournament. They beat Texas A&M by a touchdown, upset Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, and then outlasted Ole Miss. They are basically the gritty protagonist in a sports movie that everyone expects to lose in the final act.
Navigating the Withdrawal
Look, I get it. You want to see "live" on your screen. If you're desperate, you can find some "all-star" game practices starting to ramp up, but even the Hula Bowl and Shrine Bowl haven't fully kicked into gear for the weekend yet.
Most people are spending today debating the "home field advantage" for Miami. Since the game is at Hard Rock Stadium, the Canes are technically playing in their own backyard, even though they are the designated "visiting" team on the scoreboard. The last time a team played for a national title in their home stadium was Nebraska beating Miami in the 1995 Orange Bowl.
Irony is a funny thing in sports.
Practical Steps for Fans Today
Since there are no college football games playing today, you have to find other ways to scratch the itch. Here is how you should actually spend your Thursday if you're a die-hard:
- Check the Transfer Portal: This is the real "game" happening today. With the season ending for almost everyone, the portal is a chaotic mess of names. Keep an eye on your team's Twitter/X feed.
- Watch the "College Football Live" Replays: ESPN is running Megacast previews all afternoon. It’s mostly talking heads, but they’re breaking down the Indiana/Miami matchup from every conceivable angle.
- Secure Your Gear: If you're a Hoosier or a Cane fan, today is the day to buy your merch before it sells out or the shipping times get ridiculous.
- Set Your DVR for Monday: January 19th at 7:30 p.m. EST on ESPN. That is the only kickoff that matters now.
The silence today is just the calm before the storm. Enjoy the break, because come Monday night, the college football world is going to be loud, chaotic, and probably a little bit heartbreaking for one of these fanbases.
Next Steps:
If you're looking for something to watch right now, your best bet is to pivot to the NHL or NBA slates, as the college football calendar won't resume until the championship kick-off in Miami Gardens. Check your local listings for the Hall of Fame special features on the ACC and SEC networks tonight.