![\"cfp-logo.png\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/cfp-logo.png\"){kind=logo}
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Getty Images<\/p>\n
And then there were eight. After an almost two-week dead period, the College Football Playoff is set to return Wednesday with the quarterfinal round of games.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On paper, this is one of the most thrilling playoff slates we have seen yet. It all starts Wednesday evening as No. 2 Ohio State starts its national title defense in the Cotton Bowl against No. 10 Miami. While the Buckeyes are making their 2025 playoff debut, Miami has some momentum after a first-round upset of No. 7 Texas A&M.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The action on New Year’s Eve sets the table for a busy New Year’s Day. No. 4 Texas Tech and No. 5 Oregon kick things off at noon in the Orange Bowl, which represents the Red Raiders’ playoff debut.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 1 Indiana starts its journey at 4 p.m. ET in the Rose Bowl. The Hoosiers will have to get past a resurgent No. 9 Alabama, which won its first playoff game under Kalen DeBoer in dominant fashion when it went on the road and trounced No. 8 Oklahoma.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then, the Sugar Bowl plays host to an SEC rematch in the nightcap. No. 3 Georgia and No. 6 Ole Miss have become familiar foes in recent years; this will be the fourth time they’ve played each other since 2023 and the second time this season. Georgia rallied from a 35-26 fourth-quarter deficit on Oct. 18 to secure a 43-35 victory against the Rebels.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2025-26 College Football Playoff schedule<\/p>\n
All times Eastern<\/p>\n
Quarterfinals<\/p>\n
Wednesday, Dec. 31<\/p>\n
Cotton Bowl (2) Ohio State vs. (10) Miami — :\u00a07:30 p.m. | ESPN
AT&T Stadium — Arlington, Texas<\/p>\n
Thursday, Jan. 1<\/p>\n
Orange Bowl — (4) Texas Tech vs. (5) Oregon\u00a0—\u00a0:\u00a0Noon\u00a0| ESPN
Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, Fla.\u00a0Rose Bowl (1) Indiana vs. (9) Alabama\u00a0—\u00a0:\u00a04 p.m. | ESPN
Rose Bowl — Pasadena, Calif.Sugar Bowl (3) Georgia vs. (6) Ole Miss\u00a0–: \u00a08 p.m. | ESPN
Caesars Superdome — New OrleansSemifinals<\/p>\n
Thursday, Jan. 8<\/p>\n
Fiesta Bowl:\u00a07:30 p.m. | ESPN
State Farm Stadium — Glendale, Ariz.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Friday, Jan. 9<\/p>\n
Peach Bowl:\u00a07:30 p.m.\u00a0| ESPN
Mercedes-Benz Stadium — AtlantaCollege Football Playoff National Championship<\/p>\n
Monday, Jan. 20<\/p>\n
7:30 p.m.\u00a0| ESPN
Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, Fla.\u00a0First round<\/p>\n
Friday, Dec. 19<\/p>\n
(9) Alabama 34, (8) Oklahoma 24 | Recap<\/a> Saturday, Dec. 20<\/p>\n (10) Miami 10, (7)\u00a0Texas A&M<\/a>\u00a03:\u00a0|\u00a0Recap<\/a>
Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium — Norman, Oklahoma\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kyle Field — College Station, Texas(6) Ole Miss 41, (11) Tulane 10 | Recap<\/a>
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium — Oxford, Mississippi\u00a0(5) Oregon 51,\u00a0(12) James Madison 34\u00a0|\u00a0Recap<\/a>
Autzen Stadium — Eugene, Oregon\u00a0
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