The 2024-25 college football bowl season has officially kicked off, ushering in an exciting slate of games that will carry fans through the end of January 2025. Starting with the Celebration Bowl on Dec. 14, the season is jam-packed with high-stakes matchups, all leading up to the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 20, 2025. This year’s festivities also mark the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff, setting the stage for some of the most thrilling games in recent memory.
Let’s take a look at the schedule, scores, TV channels, and key matchups as the bowl season unfolds.
2024-25 College Football Bowl Season Starts Strong
The 2024-25 bowl season began with a bang, featuring exciting action on Saturday, Dec. 14. The first two games, the Celebration Bowl and the Salute to Veterans Bowl, set the tone for an action-packed month of college football.
Celebration Bowl
- Jackson State 28, South Carolina State 7
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- TV: ESPN
The Celebration Bowl opened the season with a dominant performance by Jackson State, who cruised to a 28-7 victory over South Carolina State. The game, held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, featured strong performances across the board as Jackson State showed their resilience to kick off their postseason journey.
Salute to Veterans Bowl
- South Alabama 30, Western Michigan 23
- Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama
- TV: ESPN at 9 p.m.
In the Salute to Veterans Bowl, South Alabama held off Western Michigan in a closely contested game that came down to the final moments. South Alabama’s defense stood tall late in the game to secure a 30-23 win, giving the team a great start to their bowl season.
Bowl Games to Look Forward To
There’s still much more to come as bowl season continues. A number of highly anticipated games are on the horizon, including several College Football Playoff matchups.
Tuesday, Dec. 17: Frisco Bowl
- No. 25 Memphis vs. West Virginia
- 9 p.m. | ESPN
- Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
Memphis will square off with West Virginia in the Frisco Bowl, marking one of the first big matchups of the season. The game is sure to be one of the most exciting on Dec. 17, as both teams bring strong rosters to the field.
Wednesday, Dec. 18: Boca Raton Bowl
- James Madison vs. Western Kentucky
- 5:30 p.m. | ESPN
- FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Florida
The Boca Raton Bowl will feature James Madison against Western Kentucky in an intriguing contest. Fans can expect a fast-paced game with both teams known for their high-octane offenses.
LA Bowl
- No. 24 UNLV vs. Cal
- 9 p.m. | ESPN
- SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
One of the most exciting matchups on Dec. 18 will be the LA Bowl, where UNLV faces off against Cal at SoFi Stadium. Both teams will look to finish their seasons strong as they battle in one of college football’s most famous venues.
Thursday, Dec. 19: New Orleans Bowl
- Sam Houston vs. Georgia Southern
- 7 p.m. | ESPN2
- Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
The New Orleans Bowl will be one of the key matchups on Dec. 19, as Sam Houston and Georgia Southern clash at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. It’s a game that could go either way, with both teams having strong performances this season.
College Football Playoff Matchups
The 12-team College Football Playoff begins shortly after the bowl season kicks off, with some exciting matchups between the country’s top teams. Here are the upcoming first-round games:
Friday, Dec. 20: College Football Playoff First Round
- No. 8 Indiana at No. 5 Notre Dame
- 8 p.m. | ABC/ESPN
- South Bend, Indiana
Indiana will visit Notre Dame in one of the most highly anticipated College Football Playoff first-round games. With both teams hungry for a chance to advance, this matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Saturday, Dec. 21: College Football Playoff First Round
- No. 10 SMU at No. 4 Penn State
- 12 p.m. | TNT/MAX
- University Park, Pennsylvania
SMU heads to Penn State for another crucial College Football Playoff matchup. Penn State enters the game as the favorite, but SMU will look to prove that they belong among the elite teams in the country.
Saturday, Dec. 21: College Football Playoff First Round
- No. 16 Clemson at No. 3 Texas
- 4 p.m. | TNT/MAX
- Austin, Texas
Clemson faces a tough road challenge when they take on Texas in another College Football Playoff first-round game. Both teams are familiar with the postseason spotlight, making this game a must-watch for fans of college football.
What’s Next for College Football Fans?
As bowl season progresses and the College Football Playoff takes shape, fans can look forward to plenty of nail-biting action. The drama will only continue to build as the matchups heat up and teams fight for a chance to play in the National Championship Game on January 20, 2025.
