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Bowl season culminates with the College Football National Championship, which will crown the first champion of the new 12-team playoff on Monday, January 20. The next step in deciding the two teams that will ultimately play in that championship game is the CFP quarterfinals. that kick off New Year’s Eve. Plus, four more non-CFP bowl games.
2024-25 College Football Game Schedule: Full List, Scores, Matchups, Dates, Times, TV Channels
For the complete schedule and results of bowl games through January, including the first round, quarterfinals, semifinals and the CFP national championship game, Click here. Read on for a rundown of the college football action available today.
What college football bowl games are being played today?
Tuesday December 31
12:00 p.m. – Reliaquest Bowl (ESPN)
#11 Alabama vs. Michigan
Quick hit: There’s no letup on the final day of 2024, with Alabama-Michigan kicking off a busy day of bowl games. The Crimson Tide narrowly (and conspicuously) missed the playoffs after losing three games this season, including a late November 24-3 loss at the hands of a 6-6 Oklahoma team. Reigning national champion Michigan is 7-5 after losing Jim Harbaugh and key NFL players.
2 pm – Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl (CBS)
Louisville vs. Washington
Quick hit: The 8-4 Card faces a 6-6 Washington team in the Sun Bowl. Louisville’s depth chart was depleted after many abandoned ship for the transfer portal. Washington’s first-year head coach Jedd Fisch looks to get over .500 after replacing now Alabama head coach Kalen De Boer. It’s a far cry from the Huskies’ 14-win season a year ago, but it would still gain some momentum heading into the offseason.
3 pm – Cheez-It Citrus Bowl (ALPHABET)
#15 South Carolina vs. #20 Illinois
Quick hit: South Carolina (9-3) is on a hot streak and looking for its 10th win of the season, which would be the school’s first 10-win season since 2013. The Gamecocks have won six straight, including qualifying wins over Texas A&M, Missouri. and Clemson, and had an outside opportunity against the CFP. Illinois’ success was somewhat overshadowed by other conference powers, but the Illini (9-3) also had two qualifying wins after failing to qualify for a bowl a year ago.
3:30 pm – Kindergarten Texas Bowl (ESPN)
Baylor vs. LSU
Quick hit: Baylor won six straight games to end the regular season and has its starting quarterback, Sawyer Robertsonready to face LSU’s own interlocutor in Garrett Nussmeier. This is an interesting matchup, particularly on the bench, as the current Baylor head coach says. David Aranda He was the defensive coordinator at LSU during its 2019 championship season before joining the Bears in 2020. The Tigers have been most affected by opt-outs, which could skew the outcome.
19:30 – VRBO Fiesta Bowl (CFP Quarterfinals) (ESPN/ABC)
#4 (6 seed) Penn State vs. #9 (3 seeds) Boise State
Quick hit: Penn State is the favorite in the first CFP quarterfinals, but make no mistake, the Nittany Lions are the favorites in the first CFP quarterfinals. Expect this to be a fight on the ground as Penn State’s elite running game takes on the Heisman runner-up. Ashton Jeanty. Whichever defense can stop the run most effectively will likely elevate that team to the semifinals.
When is the College Football Playoff?
The College Football Playoff continues on New Year’s Eve and Day with the quarterfinals (see full schedule below). The semifinals will be on January 9 and 10, and The national championship will be on January 20.
Full bracket and results for the 2024-25 College Football Playoffs, schedule and matchups