The 2025-26 college football season has been a wild ride, honestly. The bowl games? They’ve only cranked up the excitement.
From the early December matchups to the College Football Playoff National Championship, fans have had plenty to cheer about. This post breaks down the full bowl game schedule, scores, and a few highlights—enough for any college football die-hard.
If you want the nitty-gritty and latest updates, you might want to check out the NCAA’s official website.
Early Bowl Games Set the Stage
The bowl season fired up on December 13. Right out of the gate, there were some gritty matchups.
The Birmingham Bowl had Coastal Carolina taking on Louisiana Tech. Meanwhile, the Independence Bowl put Arizona State against Duke.
Both games gave fans a taste of the kind of high-stakes energy that defines bowl season. You could feel the tension even through the screen.
Key Early Matchups
- Birmingham Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech, 2 p.m. | ESPN
- Independence Bowl: Arizona State vs. Duke, 2 p.m. | CBS
- Music City Bowl: Tennessee vs. Illinois, 5:30 p.m. | ESPN
- Alamo Bowl: No. 16 USC vs. TCU, 9 p.m. | ESPN
Marquee Matchups and High Stakes
As the bowl season rolled on, the matchups only got juicier. The ReliaQuest Bowl put No. 23 Iowa up against No. 14 Vanderbilt.
The Sun Bowl featured Arizona State and Duke again, both teams hungry to make a statement. These weren’t just about bragging rights—there was national attention on the line.
Highlighted Games
- ReliaQuest Bowl: No. 23 Iowa vs. No. 14 Vanderbilt, 12 p.m. | ESPN
- Sun Bowl: Arizona State vs. Duke, 2 p.m. | CBS
- Citrus Bowl: No. 13 Texas vs. No. 18 Michigan, 3 p.m. | ABC
- Las Vegas Bowl: Nebraska vs. No. 15 Utah, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN
College Football Playoff Quarterfinals
The College Football Playoff quarterfinals were, no surprise, absolutely electric. Top teams clashed for a shot at the semis.
No. 2 Ohio State squared off with No. 10 Miami (Fla.) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. At the same time, No. 4 Texas Tech went head-to-head with No. 5 Oregon down in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Quarterfinal Highlights
- Ohio State vs. Miami (Fla.): 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
- Texas Tech vs. Oregon: 12 p.m. | ESPN
- Indiana vs. Alabama: 4 p.m. | ESPN
- Georgia vs. Ole Miss: 8 p.m. | ESPN
Semifinals and National Championship
The CFP semifinals took place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Both venues buzzed with energy.
These games set up the ultimate showdown for the College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. You can almost feel the anticipation building.
Semifinal Matchups
- State Farm Stadium (Fiesta Bowl): 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Peach Bowl): 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
The National Championship Game is set for January 19. It’s going to be a wild finish—who’s taking home the trophy? Guess we’ll have to tune in and see.
Other Notable Bowl Games
Sure, the CFP games grab headlines, but don’t sleep on the rest. The Armed Forces Bowl had Texas State and Rice, and the Liberty Bowl matched Navy with Cincinnati.
These games, plus a bunch more, showed off just how deep and talented the college football world really is.
Exciting Matchups
- Armed Forces Bowl: Texas State vs. Rice, 1 p.m. | ESPN
- Liberty Bowl: Navy vs. Cincinnati, 4:30 p.m. | ESPN
- Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest, 8 p.m. | ESPN
- Holiday Bowl: No. 17 Arizona vs. SMU, 8 p.m. | FOX
Memorable Moments and Upsets
Bowl season always brings a few jaw-droppers, right? This year didn’t disappoint.
The Celebration Bowl saw South Carolina State barely edge Prairie View A&M in a heart-stopper. Over in the LA Bowl, Washington just steamrolled Boise State.
Those games—and a handful of others—definitely added some new stories to college football’s never-ending lore.
Key Games
- Celebration Bowl: South Carolina State 40, Prairie View A&M 38
- LA Bowl: Washington 38, Boise State 10
- Salute to Veterans Bowl: Jax State 17, Troy 3
- Cure Bowl: Old Dominion 24, South Florida 10
Conclusion
The 2025-26 college football bowl season has been a wild ride. There were thrilling games and some seriously unexpected upsets.
Unforgettable moments kept fans on the edge of their seats. The National Championship Game is just around the corner—anyone else feeling the anticipation?
If you want the full scoop—scores, schedules, the works—check out the NCAA’s official website.
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