Your Ultimate Guide to the College Football Bowl Season

Bowl season is almost upon us, sports fans! If you’re trying to keep up with all the action, you’re going to need a game plan. This year packs in 47 games, kicking off with the Celebration Bowl on December 13th and rolling all the way to the National Championship on January 19th. That’s a lot of football, and keeping track of who’s playing where can get messy fast.

Here's your comprehensive guide to navigating the college football bowl season, complete with a printable schedule to keep you organized. Print them, clip them to your fridge, tuck them by the remote, or keep them handy on your laptop or phone. Whatever works for your game-day setup!

Understanding the Bowl Season

The college football bowl season is a series of postseason games played by eligible NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams. These games take place in December and January, culminating in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. With so many games, it can be challenging to stay on top of the schedule, matchups, and results.

Key Dates for the 2025-26 Bowl Season

Bowl games started Saturday, Dec. 13 and continued through the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday, Jan.

Early Bowl Games: Mid-December sees a flurry of games, setting the stage for the main events.
Christmas Week: Several bowl games are traditionally played during the week of Christmas, offering exciting matchups for fans.
New Year's Six: These prestigious bowl games, including the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl, are among the most anticipated of the season.
College Football Playoff Semifinals: The semifinal games determine which two teams will compete for the national championship.
College Football Playoff National Championship Game: The grand finale, where the top two teams in the nation battle for the ultimate prize.

Printable Bowl Schedule: Your Game Plan

To help you keep track of all the action, here’s a comprehensive bowl schedule. This printable version allows you to easily follow the games, mark your favorites, and record the results.

First Round (Dec. )

Friday, Dec. 20: No. 7 Notre Dame 27, No.
Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 6 Penn State 38, No.
Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 5 Texas 38, No.
Saturday, Dec. 21: No. 8 Ohio State 42, No.

Quarterfinals (Dec. 31-Jan. )

Fiesta Bowl: No. 6 Penn State 31, No.
Peach Bowl: No. 5 Texas 39, No.
Rose Bowl: No. 8 Ohio State 41, No.
Sugar Bowl: No. 7 Notre Dame 23, No.

Semifinals (Jan. )

Orange Bowl: No. 7 Notre Dame 27, No.
Cotton Bowl: No. 8 Ohio State 28, No.

Complete Bowl Game Results:

No. 1 Indiana 27, No.
No. 9 Alabama 34, No.
No. 10 Miami (Fla.) 10, No.
No. 6 Ole Miss 41, No.
No. 5 Oregon 51, No.
No. 12 BYU 25, No.
TCU 30, No.
No. 23 Iowa 34, No.
No. 13 Texas 41, No.
No. 10 Miami (Fla.) 24, No.
No. 5 Oregon 23, No.
No. 1 Indiana 38, No.
No. 6 Ole Miss 39, No.
Amon G. SMU 24, No.
No. 10 Miami (Florida) 31, No.
No. 1 Indiana 56, No.

College Football Playoff (CFP) Games: A History

Rose Bowl: No. 2 Oregon 59, No.
Sugar Bowl: No. 4 Ohio State 42, No.
CFP National Championship Game: No. 4 Ohio State 42, No.
Orange Bowl: No. 1 Clemson 37, No.
Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Alabama 38, No.
CFP National Championship Game: No. 2 Alabama 45, No.
Fiesta Bowl: No. 2 Clemson 31, No.
Peach Bowl: No. 1 Alabama 24, No.
CFP National Championship Game: No. 2 Clemson 35, No.
Rose Bowl: No. 3 Georgia 54, No.
Sugar Bowl: No. 4 Alabama 24, No.
CFP National Championship Game: No. 4 Alabama 26, No.
Orange Bowl: No. 1 Alabama 45, No.
Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Clemson 30, No.
CFP National Championship Game: No. 2 Clemson 44, No.
Peach Bowl: No. 1 LSU 63, No.
Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Clemson 29, No.
CFP National Championship Game: No. 1 LSU 42, No.
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Alabama 31, No.
Sugar Bowl: No. 3 Ohio State 49, No.
CFP National Championship Game: No. 1 Alabama 52, No.
Cotton Bowl: No. 1 Alabama 27, No.
Orange Bowl: No. 3 Georgia 34, No.
CFP National Championship Game: No. 3 Georgia 33, No.
Peach Bowl: No. 1 Georgia 42, No.
Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 TCU 51, No.
CFP National Championship Game: No. 1 Georgia 65, No.
Rose Bowl: No. 1 Michigan 27, No.
Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Washington 37, No.
CFP National Championship Game: No. 1 Michigan 34, No.

How to Use Your Printable Schedule

Download and Print: Start by downloading the schedule and printing it out. Ensure you have enough copies to share with friends and family.
Mark Your Favorites: Highlight the games you're most interested in watching. This could be based on team allegiance, rivalry, or potential playoff implications.
Record the Results: As the games are played, fill in the scores to keep track of the winners and losers. This will help you follow the storylines and track the progress of your favorite teams.
Stay Updated: College football is unpredictable, so stay informed about any schedule changes, team updates, or other relevant news.

Tips for Enjoying the Bowl Season

Plan Ahead: With so many games, it's essential to plan your viewing schedule in advance. Coordinate with friends and family to ensure everyone gets to watch their favorite matchups.
Stock Up on Snacks: No bowl season is complete without plenty of snacks and drinks. Prepare your favorite game-day treats to keep you fueled throughout the action.
Join a Bowl Pool: Add some friendly competition to the bowl season by participating in a bowl pool. Predict the winners of each game and compete against your friends for bragging rights.
Stay Connected: Follow your favorite teams and sports news outlets on social media to stay updated on the latest developments. Share your thoughts and predictions with fellow fans.

Read also: NCAA Basketball Bracket

Read also: Worksheets for Educators

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