The 2024-25 college football bowl season is in full swing, featuring thrilling matchups and the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Games kicked off with the Celebration Bowl and the Salute to Veterans Bowl and will culminate on Jan. 20, 2025, with the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Here’s the latest on bowl schedules, scores, and TV details.
Monday, Dec. 30: Music City Bowl and More
The action kicks off with the Music City Bowl, featuring a showdown between No. 19 Missouri and Iowa at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Held at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, this game promises a classic Big Ten vs. SEC clash.
Fans can expect competitive energy as bowl season progresses, with marquee matchups scheduled through the day.
Key Matchups on Tuesday, Dec. 31
- ReliaQuest Bowl: No. 11 Alabama faces Michigan at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The 12 p.m. ET game, aired on ESPN, promises a battle of storied programs.
- Sun Bowl: Louisville meets Washington in El Paso, Texas, at 2 p.m. ET on CBS. A long-standing bowl tradition continues with these power-conference teams.
- Citrus Bowl: At 3 p.m. ET on ABC, No. 15 South Carolina and No. 20 Illinois face off at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
- Texas Bowl: LSU takes on Baylor at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN in Houston’s NRG Stadium.
- Fiesta Bowl (College Football Playoff Quarterfinal): The evening’s centerpiece sees No. 4 Penn State battling No. 9 Boise State at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN in Glendale, Arizona.
Jan. 1: New Year’s Day Brings High Stakes
The College Football Playoff Quarterfinals dominate New Year’s Day, with three must-watch games:
- Peach Bowl: No. 3 Texas squares off against No. 12 Arizona State at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
- Rose Bowl: Top-seeded Oregon takes on No. 6 Ohio State in Pasadena at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN. With the historic Rose Bowl as a backdrop, this game highlights the day’s lineup.
Why the 12-Team Playoff Changes the Game
This year marks a pivotal moment in college football, with the expanded playoff format providing more teams an opportunity to compete for the championship. It brings additional excitement to bowl season, as underdog programs like Boise State and Arizona State join traditional powerhouses such as Oregon and Alabama.
