2025-26 College Football Playoff Begins This Weekend
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff kicks off this weekend, followed by an array of exciting bowl games during the holiday season.
However, the allure of traditional bowl games has diminished recently, largely due to the expansion of the playoffs. Just last week, we witnessed Notre Dame’s situation as they sought a bowl bid after missing out on the playoffs. This trend of opting out is likely to keep some star players off the field, which is a disappointment. Additionally, some games will feature interim coaching staff due to changes in leadership. There’s a growing discussion about the future of less prestigious bowls, with voices like former UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel suggesting these matchups could be moved to the start of next season.
But hold on! Bowl season isn’t over just yet. There are still a bunch of intriguing matchups coming up, and here are ten non-playoff games to mark on your calendar over the holidays.
Wednesday, December 24th, 8pm ET, ESPN
One of the long-standing Christmas Eve traditions, the Hawaii Bowl, will see Cal face off against the host team, Hawaii, which is making its first bowl appearance since 2020. Cal is navigating tough times, and while they haven’t made any staffing changes, keep an eye on quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagaportele. He’s returning to his hometown of Honolulu after a standout freshman year. In a notable move, he has confirmed that he’ll be back to play under new head coach Tosh Lupoi. This game may very well serve as the starting point for his Heisman Trophy campaign next season.
Meanwhile, it’s hard not to root for the Rainbow Warriors, who earned their bowl spot with an impressive 8-4 record. Their kicker, Hironari Matsuzawa, is a unique story, having taught himself how to kick by watching YouTube videos in high school back in Japan. He tied the FBS record for the most consecutive field goals made, at 25—a feat achieved by only a few others
Friday, December 26th, 4:30pm ET, ESPN
If you’re curious about potential coaching shifts for next season, keep an eye on Jason Eck, who has taken New Mexico State to a bowl where they’ll compete against Minnesota State. He led the Lobos to a nine-win season this year and even made a push for the Mountain West Conference title game. His son, Jaxton, also made headlines, earning the Co-MWC Defensive Player of the Year award with a staggering 126 solo tackles—the first New Mexico State player to gain such recognition since Brian Urlacher in 1999.
This matchup against Minnesota could be exciting, especially as PJ Fleck’s team wrapped up the regular season at 7-5. There may be changes happening for the Golden Gophers too, especially with ongoing speculation surrounding their coaching future.
Pittsburgh vs. East Carolina
Saturday, December 27th, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN
On December 27th, two teams that finished the regular season in the top 40 will meet for what looks to be a competitive game. Pitt rebounded from a rocky start by switching quarterbacks midway through the season, enjoying a turn-around that led them to the ACC title game. East Carolina also made waves this year, finishing strong with eight wins and eyeing a Group of Five playoff spot for next season.
No. 22 Georgia Tech vs. No. 12 BYU
Saturday, December 27th, 3:30pm ET, ABC
This matchup highlights one of three ranked vs. ranked contests in the non-playoff bowl series. BYU narrowly missed out on playoff contention after two losses to Texas Tech. Still, they field an exciting team, boasting the Big 12’s Offensive Player of the Year in LJ Martin. Head coach Kalani Sitake will be leading them, which should be a comforting sight for fans.
Georgia Tech had a solid season as well, finishing 9-3 and still pushing for the ACC title late. Watch for Haynes King, the ACC Player of the Year, who needs just 78 more rushing yards to break the 1,000-yard mark this season. Coach Brent Key has worked hard to rebuild the team, and this game presents an opportunity for them to secure their first 10-win season since 2014.
And, let’s not forget—the winning team will get to enjoy a unique tradition involving the Giant Pop-Tart mascot. It’s definitely a memorable sight.
No. 25 North Texas vs. San Diego State
Saturday, Dec. 27, 5:45 p.m. ET, ESPN
North Texas unfortunately missed the playoffs after losing to Tulane in the American Championship Game but will take part in the New Mexico Bowl. With head coach Eric Morris heading to Oklahoma State, this game could be a platform for quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who has been nothing short of sensational this season.
San Diego State, with a strong record of 9-3, remains in the conversation for next year’s Group of Five playoffs. Coach Sean Lewis is known for his offensive schemes, and he ensured the Aztecs ranked highly in defense as well as special teams.
Appalachian State University vs. Georgia Southern
Monday, December 29th, 2pm ET, ESPN
With several teams passing on the chance to play against 6-6 Georgia Southern in the Birmingham Bowl, Appalachian State stepped up to face off with their Sun Belt rival. This historical rivalry has roots going back to the FCS days and continues to be intense as ever. A matchup like this could serve as a valuable test case for future bowl game pairings.
Tuesday, December 30th, 5:30pm ET, ESPN
One of the few Big Ten vs. SEC matchups this bowl season will take place in the Music City Bowl, featuring Illinois against Tennessee. Both teams, with respectable 8-4 records, could be poised for stronger standings in their conferences next season.
No. 23 Iowa vs. No. 14 Vanderbilt
Wednesday, December 31st, 12pm ET, ESPN
Iowa and Vanderbilt are set to compete on New Year’s Eve in another Big Ten-SEC clash. The Hawkeyes have had a consistent schedule, often coming snuck up by narrow losses. Their defense is formidable, while Vanderbilt has the chance to claim its first 10-win season in history, along with the opportunity for back-to-back bowl victories. Heisman finalist Diego Pavia will lead the charge for the Commodores, making this a must-watch game.
Friday, January 2nd, 8pm ET, FOX
A notable game is also scheduled the day after New Year’s, where Arizona will clashed with SMU. Both teams finished well within the top 30. Arizona quietly enjoyed success, winning nine games under the watchful eye of QB Noah Fifita. Conversely, SMU had its ups and downs, but had a significant season, marked by quarterback Kevin Jennings’ stellar performance.
As we wrap up the discussion around these games, it seems like the potential for a showdown between Fifita and Jennings could add a thrill to the excitement. It’s certainly a matchup to keep an eye on as the New Year rolls forward.
