College Football Playoff Semifinals Kick Off Today
Glendale, AZ, January 8, 2026 – The College Football Playoff semifinals are underway, with No. 10 Miami facing No. 6 Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The game, scheduled for 7:30 PM ET and broadcast on ESPN, pits the Hurricanes against the Rebels in a matchup that could determine a spot in the national championship game on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Meanwhile, No. 1 Indiana takes on No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia, at the same time.
Today’s Semifinal Matchups
The Fiesta Bowl features a high-stakes clash between Miami, which stunned Ohio State in the quarterfinals with a 24-14 victory, and Ole Miss, who defeated Georgia 39-34 in overtime. Quarterback Carson Beck leads Miami’s offense, while Ole Miss relies on Trinidad Chambliss, who has reportedly decided to return for the 2026 season. In the Peach Bowl, unbeaten Indiana, led by Fernando Mendoza, faces Oregon, coached by Dante Moore, in a rematch of their regular-season game.
Key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Fiesta Bowl Odds | Miami favored by 3 points; over/under at 52.5 |
| Peach Bowl Odds | Indiana favored by 3.5 points; over/under at 48.5 |
| Top Rankings | Indiana (No. 1), Georgia (No. 2), Ohio State (No. 3) |
| Previous Round Scores | Miami 24, Ohio State 14; Ole Miss 39, Georgia 34; Indiana 38, Alabama 3; Oregon 23, Texas Tech 0 |
Recent Playoff Results
In the first round, Alabama defeated Oklahoma 34-24, Miami edged Texas A&M 10-3, Ole Miss routed Tulane 41-10, and Oregon overwhelmed James Madison 51-34. The quarterfinals saw Miami upset Ohio State, Ole Miss beat Georgia in overtime, Indiana dominate Alabama, and Oregon shut out Texas Tech.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do the semifinal games start?
Both the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl begin at 7:30 PM ET.
Where can I watch the games?
The games are broadcast on ESPN.
Who are the top quarterbacks in the playoffs?
Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), Dante Moore (Oregon), Carson Beck (Miami), and Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss) are among the standouts.