New Year’s Day football kicks off with three playoff quarterfinals as top seeds face dangerous underdogs with championship dreams

New Year’s Day football kicks off with three College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Thursday, January 1, 2026, as top seeds and dynamic underdogs clash across Miami, Pasadena, and New Orleans. The 12-team playoff format reaches its second year with must-watch matchups that will reshape the path to a national championship. All three games air on ESPN with kickoffs spanning noon ET to 8 p.m. ET.

New Year’s Day Football Brings Championship Momentum into Four Iconic Bowls

Thursday marks the continuation of College Football Playoff action after four first-round games wrapped up the previous day. The quarterfinal round features the most prestigious bowl games in college football history transitioning into playoff quarterfinals. Each matchup carries playoff stakes with winners moving directly to January 8-9 semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl.

The new 12-team format has generated unprecedented interest across campuses and fan bases. No. 1 seed Indiana brings the strongest seeding advantage, while multiple 6-7 seeds provide underdog storylines. The matchups feature strong defensive units facing high-octane offenses, creating compelling tactical battles.

Orange Bowl: Oregon’s Explosive Offense Faces Texas Tech’s Suffocating Run Defense

The Capital One Orange Bowl at hard rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida opens New Year’s Day college football at 12:00 p.m. ET. The No. 5 Oregon Ducks bring one of the nation’s most dynamic offensive attacks to face No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders and their nation-leading run defense limiting opponents to just 68.5 rushing yards per game.

This represents the first College Football Playoff quarterfinal played at the Orange Bowl in the competition’s history. Oregon advanced by defeating James Madison 51-34 in the first round, while Texas Tech beat Oklahoma 24-34. The Big 12 defense will aim to contain Oregon’s ground attack that has fueled their explosive season. Experts remain divided on the matchup, with analysis focusing on whether Texas Tech’s run-stopping ability can disrupt Oregon’s rhythm.

Category	Orange Bowl	Rose Bowl	Sugar Bowl
Location	Miami Gardens, FL	Pasadena, CA	New Orleans, LA
Kickoff Time	12:00 p.m. ET	4:00 p.m. ET	8:00 p.m. ET
Matchup	#5 Oregon vs #4 Texas Tech	#1 Indiana vs #9 Alabama	#3 Georgia vs #6 Ole Miss
Network	ESPN	ESPN	ESPN

Rose Bowl: Undefeated Indiana Looks to Uphold Top Seed Status Against Crimson Tide

The Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California features college football’s crown jewel at 4:00 p.m. ET. The No. 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers arrive undefeated at 13-0, making their first Rose Bowl appearance and seeking to prove themselves against a traditional powerhouse.

No. 9 Alabama enters at 11-3 with considerable playoff experience and championship pedigree. The Crimson Tide advanced by defeating Oklahoma 34-24 in the first round. Indiana is favored by seven points, reflecting expectations for the top-seeded Big Ten team. The historic Rose Bowl stadium provides an iconic setting for a David versus Goliath narrative, with Indiana looking to validate their top ranking against Alabama’s championship experience.

Sugar Bowl: Georgia Seeks Triumph in Rematch Against Ole Miss

The Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana closes the New Year’s Day quarterfinal schedule at 8:00 p.m. ET. This matchup represents the only quarterfinal rematch from the regular season, as Georgia defeated Ole Miss 43-35 in Athens. The No. 3 ranked Bulldogs enter as 6.5-point favorites over No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels, who arrive 12-1.

Georgia brings SEC championship credentials and tournament experience, while Ole Miss represents an underdog story with explosive offensive potential. The prior matchup advantage for Georgia could prove decisive, though Ole Miss demonstrated significant improvement. Winners face a Peach Bowl semifinal against winners from the Orange Bowl or Rose Bowl.

“This year’s matchup will have the distinction of being the first College Football Playoff Quarterfinal game in Capital One Orange Bowl history.”

— Official CFP Statement, College Football Playoff

Can Underdog Seeds Shock the Elite Seven-Point Favorites on New Year’s Day?

Texas Tech, Alabama, and Ole Miss all carry underdog designation with single-digit spreads, suggesting competitive matchups. The fourth-seeded Red Raiders bring historic run defense against an Oregon team that relies on rushing dominance. Alabama’s playoff experience provides confidence despite Indiana’s perfect record. Ole Miss’s upset potential remains live despite Georgia’s prior victory.

The expanded 12-team format has proven seeding unpredictability, with lower seeds proving competitive throughout. First-round victories by many underdogs suggest quarterfinals carry genuine uncertainty. Winners emerging from January 1 games advance five days later to semifinal matchups, creating a compressed schedule requiring rapid preparation and injury recovery.

Sources

• FBSchedules.com – Complete New Year’s Day 2026 schedule with times and matchups
• NCAA.com – Official College Football Playoff bracket and tournament information
• ESPN – Game previews and team information for all quarterfinal matchups