As the New Year approached, the College Football Playoff (CFP) reached a thrilling milestone, with just four teams vying for the championship. No. 10 Miami made history by securing a spot in the semifinals for the first time after delivering a surprising 24-14 victory over No. 2 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl held late on Dec. 31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This win not only marks a significant achievement for the Hurricanes but also thwarts the Buckeyes’ hopes of winning back-to-back national titles.
With Miami advancing, three more semifinal slots will be determined in the upcoming New Year’s Six Bowls: No. 4 Texas Tech will battle No. 5 Oregon in the Orange Bowl, while No. 1 Indiana faces No. 8 Alabama in the Rose Bowl, and No. 3 Georgia competes against No. 6 Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl.
The CFP semifinal matches will commence on Thursday, January 9, at 7:30 p.m. ET with the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, followed by the Peach Bowl on Friday, January 10, at the same time in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta.
Currently, the confirmed entrants for the semifinals include No. 10 Miami and No. 5 Oregon, with the remaining teams yet to be decided. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see who will fill those slots.
The 2025-26 CFP follows a single-elimination format, with the selection committee applying a straight seeding based on the final rankings of the top 25 teams. The updated bracket showcases the competitive spirit of college football with notable teams like No. 1 Indiana, No. 2 Ohio State, and No. 3 Georgia featured prominently.
As excitement builds, the championship game will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on January 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Enthusiastic fans can catch all the CFP action on ESPN or through various streaming options, including the ESPN app and Fubo, which provides a free trial for new subscribers.
The upcoming games promise to deliver more intense action, and the unexpected success of Miami exemplifies the unpredictability and thrill of college football.