The Final Four: 2026 College Football Playoff Semifinals Preview
The road to the National Championship has narrowed to four elite programs. After a chaotic quarterfinal round that saw heavyweights like Georgia and Ohio State fall, the College Football Playoff semifinals are set to deliver a historic double-header.
From a “Cinderella” double-digit seed to a Heisman winner looking to cement his legacy, here is everything you need to know before kickoff.
🏈 Game 1: The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl
Matchup: #10 Miami Hurricanes vs. #6 Ole Miss Rebels
When: Thursday, Jan. 8 | 7:30 PM ET
Where: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
TV: ESPN / ESPN+
The Storyline: The Defiant Ones
The Miami Hurricanes are making history as the first double-digit seed to reach the semifinals in the 12-team era. After suffocating the defending champion Buckeyes in the quarterfinals, their defense looks impenetrable. On the other side, Ole Miss is playing with “house money” under interim coach Pete Golding following Lane Kiffin’s late-season departure.
- Key Player to Watch: Rebels QB Trinidad Chambliss, who shredded Georgia for 362 yards, faces a Hurricanes secondary that has allowed only 9.7 points per game over their last six outings.
🏈 Game 2: The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl
Matchup: #5 Oregon Ducks vs. #1 Indiana Hoosiers
When: Friday, Jan. 9 | 7:30 PM ET
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
TV: ESPN / ESPN+
The Storyline: A Heisman Showcase
This is a rematch of a Week 7 thriller where the Indiana Hoosiers stunned the Oregon Ducks in Eugene. Indiana QB and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza is the hottest name in the country, but Oregon’s Dante Moore is looking for redemption—and a boost to his 2026 NFL Draft stock.
- The Big Blow: Indiana will be without defensive star Stephen Daley, who suffered a freak leg injury during a post-Big Ten Championship celebration. His 19 tackles for loss will be nearly impossible to replace against Oregon’s high-octane offense.
- Key Player to Watch: Ducks CB Brandon Finney Jr., fresh off two interceptions in the quarterfinals, will be tasked with shadowing Indiana’s explosive slot threat, Omar Cooper Jr.
The Betting Landscape
The oddsmakers are expecting two incredibly tight contests. Both top seeds are favored by nearly identical margins.
| Matchup | Spread | Over/Under |
| Miami vs. Ole Miss | Miami -3.5 | 52.5 |
| Indiana vs. Oregon | Indiana -3.5 | 46.5 |
Magazine Pro Tip: Watch the “moneyline” on Ole Miss. Despite being underdogs, the Rebels have seen a massive influx of bets from those hunting for the upset.
Where to Watch & Stream
ESPN is going all-out with its MegaCast presentation:
- Main Broadcast: ESPN
- Field Pass: ESPN2 (featuring The Pat McAfee Show)
- Command Center: ESPNEWS (multi-angle view with real-time data)
- Radio: Available on the ESPN App and local affiliates like the Oregon Sports Network.
