The 2025-26 college football bowl season is officially underway, kicking off with a flurry of games that will culminate in the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 19th. While the bowl season is a tradition steeped in pageantry, this year’s iteration feels particularly significant as it represents the first full cycle under the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format. The early games are providing a glimpse into the competitive landscape, but the real drama begins with the first round of CFP games already underway.
- Expanded Playoff Impact: The 12-team format is dramatically altering the postseason, giving more programs a legitimate shot at a national title and increasing revenue opportunities for conferences.
- Early Upsets & Momentum: Several early bowl games have seen unexpected results, highlighting the parity within college football and setting the stage for potential surprises in the CFP.
- Conference Bragging Rights: The bowl season provides a crucial platform for conferences to showcase their strength and build their national profile heading into the offseason.
A New Era of College Football Postseason
For decades, the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and then the four-team College Football Playoff dictated the national championship picture. The expansion to 12 teams is a seismic shift, designed to address criticisms of exclusion and increase access for programs outside the traditional power conferences. This year’s schedule reflects that change, with first-round CFP games being hosted on the campuses of higher-seeded teams – a move intended to boost attendance and create a more electric atmosphere. The early results, including Oklahoma’s win over Alabama and Texas A&M’s victory over Miami, demonstrate the heightened stakes and competitive intensity of this new format.
Key Matchups & Early Results
As of today, December 20th, several key matchups have already taken place. Washington’s dominant win over Boise State in the LA Bowl and Jax State’s upset of Troy in the Salute to Veterans Bowl were notable early results. The first round of the College Football Playoff has delivered on its promise of excitement, with Oklahoma and Texas A&M securing wins. Upcoming games, such as Oregon vs. James Madison and Ole Miss vs. Tulane, are poised to be compelling contests, showcasing the depth and talent within college football. The Pop-Tarts Bowl matchup between BYU and Georgia Tech is also drawing significant attention, representing a clash of contrasting offensive styles.
The Forward Look: What to Expect
The remainder of the bowl season will be crucial in shaping the narrative of the 2025-26 college football season. Expect increased scrutiny on the fairness and effectiveness of the 12-team playoff format. Will the expanded field truly create more competitive balance, or will it simply reinforce the dominance of the traditional powerhouses? The performance of teams from the Group of Five conferences will be particularly closely watched, as their success (or lack thereof) will have significant implications for future playoff access and revenue distribution. Furthermore, the coaching carousel is already in full swing, and the results of these bowl games will undoubtedly influence hiring decisions across the country. Finally, the CFP quarterfinals and semifinals will be must-watch events, setting the stage for a highly anticipated National Championship game in Miami on January 19th. The data gathered from this expanded playoff will be intensely analyzed by conference commissioners and university presidents as they evaluate potential further changes to the postseason structure in the years to come.
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