The 2025-26 College Football Playoff quarterfinals featured notable upsets and strong performances, narrowing the field to four teams. No. 10 Miami advanced as the first double-digit seed to reach the semifinals with consecutive wins, while Oregon delivered a shutout, Indiana dominated Alabama, and Ole Miss defeated Georgia. These four programs now compete for a spot in the national championship on January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Both semifinal games will air on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. Here is the schedule:
College Football Playoff Semifinals Matchups
The College Football Playoff semifinals matchups kickoff on Thursday, January 8th, 2026. The Fiesta Bowl sees Miami vs Ole Miss. Then, the Peach Bowl gets to see #1 Indiana against #5 Oregon on Friday Night.
| Date | Bowl Game | Matchup | Location | Time (ET) | TV |
| Thursday, Jan. 8 | Vrbo Fiesta Bowl | No. 10 Miami vs. No. 6 Ole Miss | Glendale, AZ | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Friday, Jan. 9 | Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl | No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 5 Oregon | Atlanta, GA | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
CFP Semifinal Previews & Predictions
Vrbo Fiesta Bowl: No. 10 Miami Hurricanes vs. No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels
Miami has emerged as the playoff’s underdog story, defeating reigning champion Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal. The Hurricanes relied on a physical defense and timely plays to reach this stage.
Ole Miss, led by interim coach Pete Golding, overcame Georgia 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl. Their offense, featuring QB Trinidad Chambliss, produced key scoring drives despite challenges.
Odds (as of Jan. 2, 2026): Miami -3, O/U around 58.
Prediction: Miami’s momentum and defensive pressure edge Ole Miss. Hurricanes win 34-31 in a competitive contest.
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers vs. No. 5 Oregon Ducks
Top-seeded Indiana routed Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl, demonstrating balance on offense and defense to affirm their ranking.
Oregon shut out Texas Tech 23-0 in the Orange Bowl, forcing turnovers and limiting yards with strong defensive play. This matchup is a rematch of Indiana’s 30-20 regular-season victory.
Odds (as of Jan. 2, 2026): Indiana -4, O/U around 52.
Prediction: Indiana’s balanced approach prevails, though Oregon remains competitive. Hoosiers advance 27-20.
Printable 2026 College Football Playoff Bracket
Here’s the updated, printable 2026 College Football Playoff bracket for you. You can print or save it to PDF format depending on what you prefer.
Early National Championship Odds
- Indiana: Favorite
- Miami: +300
- Oregon/Ole Miss: Close behind
The winners advance to Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Download our free printable 2025-26 CFP bracket (updated through semifinals) to follow the games. We will update with results and the championship pairing. You can also checkout the complete bowl game schedule here as well as the upcoming 2026 NFL Playoff schedule.
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