The 2024-25 College Football Bowl Season is underway, and this year’s festivities feature the debut of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) format. From the opening game on December 18 to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on January 20, 2025, the season promises intense matchups and unforgettable moments. Here’s everything you need to know about the full bowl schedule, including times, TV channels, and game results.
Bowl Games Kick Off with Early Excitement
The College Football Bowl season began with thrilling matchups on December 18, 2024, and continues throughout the month. The season opener, the Boca Raton Bowl, saw James Madison defeat Western Kentucky 27-17 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida. This was followed by the LA Bowl featuring No. 24 UNLV facing off against California, marking an exciting start to this year’s bowl action.
December 18 Games: Initial Bowl Showdown
- Boca Raton Bowl:
James Madison 27, Western Kentucky 17
Location: FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Florida
This opening game set the tone for the season, with James Madison emerging victorious in a solid 10-point win. - LA Bowl:
No. 24 UNLV vs. Cal
Time: 9 p.m. ET | ESPN
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
A highly anticipated game in LA, as two teams battle it out for bragging rights and an early spot in bowl season.
Full List of Bowl Games with TV Channels and Matchups
The 2024-25 bowl games span a range of dates and locations, with teams from across the nation vying for postseason glory. Below is a complete schedule, including results, times, and TV channels for every game.
December 19 and 20: New Orleans Bowl and More
- New Orleans Bowl:
Sam Houston vs. Georgia Southern
Time: 7 p.m. ET | ESPN2
Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
This game will feature two underdogs battling it out for the win in one of the most iconic stadiums in college football. - Cure Bowl:
Ohio vs. Jacksonville State
Time: 12 p.m. ET | ESPN
Location: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida
The Cure Bowl has gained attention for showcasing strong performances by smaller conference teams. - Gasparilla Bowl:
Florida vs. Tulane
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
A thrilling matchup between a strong SEC team and a powerhouse from the American Athletic Conference. - College Football Playoff First Round – No. 8 Indiana vs. No. 5 Notre Dame
Time: 8 p.m. ET | ABC/ESPN
Location: South Bend, Indiana
Notre Dame looks to defend its home turf as Indiana comes in with a strong bid to continue their championship run.
December 21: A Day Full of Action
- College Football Playoff First Round – No. 10 SMU at No. 4 Penn State
Time: 12 p.m. ET | TNT/MAX
Location: University Park, Pennsylvania
The matchup between SMU and Penn State promises high-energy play and a thrilling start to the weekend. - College Football Playoff First Round – No. 16 Clemson at No. 3 Texas
Time: 4 p.m. ET | TNT/MAX
Location: Austin, Texas
Texas and Clemson’s showdown will be one of the most anticipated games of the first-round CFP matchups. - College Football Playoff First Round – No. 7 Tennessee at No. 6 Ohio State
Time: 8 p.m. ET | ABC/ESPN
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Tennessee heads to Ohio State’s formidable home stadium with hopes of taking down one of the nation’s top teams.
December 23 and Beyond: Bowl Season Heats Up
The Myrtle Beach Bowl on December 23 will feature Coastal Carolina against UTSA at 11 a.m., followed by the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl between Northern Illinois and Fresno State at 2:30 p.m. Both games promise plenty of excitement as underdogs take on top-tier opponents.
On December 24, the Hawai’i Bowl will be held in Honolulu with South Florida facing San Jose State in a late-night contest at 8 p.m. This offers a perfect holiday escape for fans tuning in from across the nation.
The GameAbove Sports Bowl on December 26 will showcase Pitt against Toledo at 2 p.m. ET at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The bowl game action continues throughout the season with several marquee matchups, keeping college football fans glued to their screens.
2024-25 College Football Playoff Bracket: Breaking Down the Matchups
This season marks the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff, changing the format dramatically and introducing new opportunities for teams to compete for the national championship.
The first round features thrilling matchups, with top teams like Notre Dame, Penn State, Texas, and Ohio State hoping to make a statement in the expanded playoff. The road to the national championship is now more exciting than ever, as the stakes have been raised with an additional round of games.
With the addition of these new teams, the excitement surrounding the playoff is palpable. Fans from all over will be tuning in to see if any surprises unfold as teams with impressive regular-season records battle for glory.
Table: Breakdown of Key Bowl Games
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | TV Channel | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 18, 2024 | Boca Raton Bowl | 7 p.m. | ESPN | FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, FL |
| Dec. 19, 2024 | New Orleans Bowl | 7 p.m. | ESPN2 | Caesars Superdome, New Orleans |
| Dec. 21, 2024 | College Football Playoff (Clemson vs. Texas) | 4 p.m. | TNT/MAX | Austin, TX |
| Dec. 23, 2024 | Myrtle Beach Bowl | 11 a.m. | ESPN | Brooks Stadium, Conway, SC |
| Dec. 24, 2024 | Hawai’i Bowl | 8 p.m. | ESPN | Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, HI |
| Dec. 26, 2024 | GameAbove Sports Bowl | 2 p.m. | ESPN | Ford Field, Detroit, MI |
