If you woke up this morning, grabbed your coffee, and started scrolling through your sports apps looking for the bowl schedule for today, you probably noticed something weird.
The screen is blank. No kickoff times. No point spreads.
Honestly, it feels a bit like a ghost town. After weeks of non-stop action—from the Pop-Tarts Bowl’s edible mascot to the chaos of the New Year’s Six—the sudden silence on January 15, 2026, is a bit of a literal reality check. We are currently in that strange, mid-January "dead zone" of the college football calendar.
The semifinals are over. The smaller bowls are in the books. We are basically just holding our breath for the big one.
The Gap in the Bowl Schedule for Today
Let’s be real: the new 12-team playoff format has changed how we track the bowl schedule for today. In the old days, everything would be wrapped up by now. But because the bracket is so much bigger, the schedule has been stretched out like a long snapper’s hamstrings.
Today is Thursday. The last time we had live playoff football was nearly a week ago. On January 8 and 9, we saw the semifinals go down in Glendale and Atlanta.
- The Fiesta Bowl (Jan 8): Miami survived a heart-stopper against Ole Miss, winning 31-27.
- The Peach Bowl (Jan 9): Indiana absolutely dismantled Oregon 56-22.
Since those two games finished, the "bowl season" has effectively gone on a hiatus. There are no games scheduled for today, January 15. If you're seeing "live" scores on some sketchy offshore site, they’re probably from a video game sim or a replay of a game from three weeks ago.
Why is there nothing on the bowl schedule for today?
It’s all about the wait. The College Football Playoff (CFP) committee and the networks want the National Championship to feel like a standalone event. They give the two finalists—Miami and Indiana—a full ten days to heal up, install new packages, and for the fans to book their flights to South Florida.
Think about what these kids have been through. Miami had to beat Texas A&M in the first round, then stun Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, and then outlast Ole Miss. Indiana had to crush Alabama in the Rose Bowl before handling Oregon.
🔗 Read more: Why the University of Tennessee Score Tells a Bigger Story Than Just the Win
They need the rest. We probably need the rest too.
Looking Ahead: When does the schedule pick back up?
While the bowl schedule for today is empty, the finish line is in sight. We are officially in the "Natty Week" window.
The next—and final—game of the 2025-26 season is the College Football Playoff National Championship.
The Details:
- Matchup: No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami
- Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
- TV: ESPN
This is a wild matchup. You've got Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers, who are somehow 15-0 and looking like a juggernaut, going up against a Miami team that is playing essentially a home game. It's the first time in the modern era a team is playing for the title in their own stadium.
What to watch while the bowl schedule is empty
Since there’s no bowl schedule for today, what are you supposed to do with your evening? If you're a football junkie, you’ve still got options, just not at the college level.
The NFL is moving into the Divisional Round this weekend. If you’re a Tennessee fan, you might want to keep an eye on guys like Joshua Palmer or Jauan Jennings, who are both active in the pro playoffs.
Also, keep an eye on the transfer portal. While the games have stopped, the roster moves haven't. Coaches are currently raiding the rosters of teams that just finished their bowl games, and the "second season" of recruiting is in full swing.
Quick Stats: The Path to the Championship
If you're bored and want to win a bar argument while waiting for Monday night, here’s how we got here:
Indiana's offense has been historic. Scoring 56 on Oregon in a semifinal isn't just a win; it's a statement. They enter the championship as an 8.5-point favorite.
Miami, on the other hand, is the ultimate survivor. They were the No. 10 seed. Nobody expected them to be here. They've won three straight playoff games as underdogs or in tight battles. They are battle-hardened in a way Indiana might not be yet.
Practical Steps for Fans This Weekend
Since you won't be finding a bowl schedule for today, use this time to prep for the final game of the year.
First, check your local listings for "Road to the Championship" specials. ESPN usually starts airing deep-dive film sessions and player profiles around this time. It's the best way to see how Miami’s defensive front plans to handle Indiana’s quick-strike passing game.
Second, if you’re planning a watch party for Monday, get your shopping done now. The National Championship usually draws Super Bowl-level viewership, especially with a "Cinderella" like Indiana and a "U" resurgence like Miami.
Finally, keep an eye on the weather and travel reports out of Miami Gardens. If you're one of the lucky ones heading to Hard Rock Stadium, remember that even though it's Florida, the humidity can make those 7:30 p.m. kickoffs feel a lot different than a crisp afternoon in the Midwest.
The bowl season is almost over, but the biggest game is yet to come. Take the night off, watch some film, and get ready for Monday.
Actionable Insight: Since there are no live games today, January 15, the most productive move for a fan is to secure your streaming credentials for ESPN or check your cable subscription now to ensure you have access to the National Championship on January 19. If you are betting the game, the line is currently holding steady with Indiana as an 8.5-point favorite, but watch for late movement as injury reports from the semifinal round are fully cleared by Saturday.