
CFP Sets Quarterfinals, Semifinals Dates and Bowl Venues for 2026-27
The College Football Playoff has announced the quarterfinal and semifinal dates and the bowl venues for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
All articles tagged with #cfp

The College Football Playoff has announced the quarterfinal and semifinal dates and the bowl venues for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

The College Football Playoff Management Committee extended the current playoff format through the 2026-27 season, preserving the existing structure and operations while continuing to evaluate longer-term changes for the CFP.

Indiana finished 16-0 and beat Miami to win the CFP National Championship, drawing 30.1 million viewers on ESPN—the largest college football audience in over a decade and up 36% from last year under Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel; the article also notes Indiana’s postseason ratings highs and mentions the CFP’s TV-rights shift to ABC in a new six-year deal.

Indiana finishes No. 1 in The Athletic’s final 136 for the 2025 season, capping an improbable championship run as Miami climbs to No. 2 after four postseason games; the piece weighs bowls and opt-outs, notes preseason expectations, and highlights overachievers like Virginia, North Texas, Houston, New Mexico and San Diego State while calling Penn State and Clemson big underachievers. Oklahoma State sits as the lowest Power 4 team at No. 123 and UMass ends at No. 136; the rankings reflect the entire season with CFP results carrying extra weight.

Former Miami GA Mario Cristobal was nearly recruited into the Secret Service in 1998, but chose coaching football instead. Now he leads Miami to the College Football Playoff title game, a path shaped by that near-decision and family roots in law enforcement.

With a Jan. 23 deadline looming, CFP expansion talks remain deadlocked: the SEC backs a 16-team format while the Big Ten wants 24; if no signed agreement is reached, the 12-team playoff remains for 2026, and the 2027 expansion decision would be due by Dec. 1, 2026.
At the AFCA Convention, 25 anonymous coaches predicted the College Football Playoff national championship, with 22 choosing Indiana over the Miami Hurricanes. Indiana’s No. 1-ranked, veteran-heavy, well-resourced program under Curt Cignetti is highlighted after a dominant win over Oregon, while Miami counters with transfer portal additions like Carson Beck and a dynamic freshman in Malachi Toney. Coaches praised Indiana’s discipline and decision-making, though many acknowledged the evolving NIL/transfer landscape as a factor in who can win the title, making Indiana the near-unanimous pick among the group.

A numbers-driven preview of the Indiana–Miami national championship game: Indiana has 1 fumble lost to Miami’s 3, and the Hoosiers have posted strong first- and second-half scoring margins; Miami leads with 47 sacks to Indiana’s 45, and both teams sit among the national leaders in time of possession. Miami has defeated seven ranked opponents this season, while Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is climbing the program’s TD list and Malachi Toney nears 100 receptions. The winner likely finishes No. 1 in the final AP Top 25, adding historical context to the matchup.

Ole Miss upset Georgia 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl, advancing to the CFP semifinals with a last-minute field goal by Carneiro, after a dramatic game with multiple lead changes and key plays by Chambliss and Stockton.

Indiana delivered a dominant 38-3 victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl, securing a spot in the CFP semifinals against Oregon, marking Indiana's first CFP win and historic program achievements, while Alabama suffered its worst loss since 2000, extending its title drought.

Ohio State's coach Ryan Day took responsibility for their poor start and eventual loss to Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, highlighting issues in preparation and execution that led to their early deficit and elimination after a strong regular season.

Miami upset Ohio State 24-14 in the CFP quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl, with key plays including a 72-yard interception return by Keionte Scott. The Hurricanes, ranked 10th, advanced to the semifinals against Georgia or Ole Miss, marking their first playoff win since 2001. Ohio State, the 2nd seed, was eliminated after a season-ending loss, despite a strong effort from quarterback Julian Sayin and safety Caleb Downs.

Miami upset defending champion Ohio State 24-14 in the CFP quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl, with key plays including a 72-yard interception return and a record-setting performance by Carson Beck, advancing Miami to the semifinals against Georgia or Ole Miss.

Prediction markets like Kalshi are providing odds for all four CFP quarterfinal games, with Ohio State favored over Miami at 75%, Oregon slightly favored over Texas Tech, Indiana undefeated and a strong contender against Alabama, and Georgia showing recent defensive improvements against Ole Miss.

Indiana, undefeated and highly ranked, faces Alabama in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, with Indiana boasting a remarkable turnaround and top statistical rankings, while Alabama, with a storied history and recent comeback win, aims to challenge the top-seeded Hoosiers in a highly anticipated matchup.