The expanded College Football Playoff was a resounding success last year. So you better believe that I’m gearing up to watch the CFP first round and see who’s real, and who’s not.
Whether you’re a casual observer or a diehard fan, there’s a bounty of storylines to follow in every game. And with the way the schedule is lined up, there are lots of opportunities to watch every snap.
If you’re trying to spend a couple of days mainlining the highest level of college football, this guide is for you. I mapped out the CFP first round schedule, broadcast and streaming information, and some game previews, too.
College Football Playoff first round TV schedule, at a glance
I broke down every CFP first-round matchup in more detail later in this guide. But if you’re on the go and just looking for a quick look at the schedule, I got that, too.
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Crimson Tide at Oklahoma Sooners | Friday, Dec. 19 | 8:00 p.m. | ABC, ESPN |
| Miami Hurricanes at Texas A&M Aggies | Friday, Dec. 20 | Noon | ABC, ESPN |
| Tulane at Ole Miss Rebels | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 3:30 p.m. | TNT, truTV, HBO Max |
| James Madison at Oregon Ducks | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, truTV, HBO Max |
College Football Playoff first round matchups & TV info
This game between two staples of the SEC is going to be quite interesting, if you ask me.
These are two teams with five losses between them—something of an aberration come playoff time—and offenses not currently operating at full tilt.
Alabama’s run game leaves much to be desired, but their top running back, Jam Miller, is expected to be ready to play after missing the SEC title game with an injury. The team relies heavily on quarterback Ty Simpson, who has 26 touchdown passes coming into the game.
Oklahoma has some offensive bugaboos of its own, ranking just 88th in the country in total offense. It’s the other end of the field where the Sooners shine. They’re top 10 in the country in total defense.
This feels like we’re headed for a low-scoring, grind-it-out type of game.
Texas A&M comes into this game as a team that won 11 straight games before losing to Texas to end the regular season. Personally, I believe a little more in that streak than the loss, but that’s why we play the games.
A&M quarterback Marcel Reed is a dual threat, throwing for more than 2,900 yards and rushing for 466. His performance, plus some better team efficiency in the red zone, will be key.
Miami beat four ranked teams this season, including Notre Dame. And, the Hurricanes are riding a four-game winning streak heading into this matchup. They’re the team with all the momentum.
Quarterback Carson Beck has been somewhat up and down. So for the Hurricanes to pull this out, they’ll need a combination of a strong game from him and impactful contributions in the run game.
These two teams have in-season history. So the fact that they’ll meet in the CFP makes this an even juicier affair.
Ole Miss destroyed Tulane in a 45-10 victory in September. It was the Green Wave’s first loss of the season at the time. I think they’ll have revenge on their mind in the most intense way.
Tulane is led by former BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff. After leaving the religious school, he bounced back with a solid season. Retzlaff has thrown for more than 2,800 yards and 14 touchdowns. He’s been the driving force of an offense that has been inconsistent in other areas.
Ole Miss is riding a five-game winning streak heading into the CFP first-round matchup. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss overtook the starting spot early in the season for the injured Austin Simmons and has proved he belongs among the country’s best at the position.
But the biggest question that looms large about this game? How will Ole Miss play without coach Lane Kiffin, who took the LSU job?
James Madison has a chance to be a legit Cinderella story.
You could argue that its schedule wasn’t all that impressive, but the wins certainly were. The Dukes, champions of the Sun Belt Conference, ran off 11 straight wins en route to a CFP bid. Their inclusion, though, has proved controversial.
Nonetheless, James Madison has the second-best total defense in the country, and a top-10 scoring offense. This is the first time every that a Sun Belt team qualified for the CFP. There’s a lot riding on this playoff run, and the Dukes seem poised to make some noise.
But Oregon is legit, too. This team has won every which way en route to an 11–1 overall record. The Ducks are also fourth in the country in total defense.
In my estimation, this matchup could go either way.
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How to watch College Football Playoff first round for free
There are two ways you can go here.
The first is to buy an over-the-air antenna. This is a one-time purchase that gives you free access to your local ABC station and other broadcasters like NBC, FOX, and CBS.
If you’re looking for something a little more wide-ranging, DIRECTV has a five-day free trial. This will get you any games on ABC, plus those on ESPN and TNT/truTV.
How to watch College Football Playoff first round FAQ
When are the College Football Playoff first-round games?
This year’s first-round games start Friday, Dec. 19, with Alabama at Oklahoma and end Saturday, Dec. 20, with James Madison at Oregon.
How can I stream the College Football Playoff first round?
Fans can stream games airing on ABC/ESPN with ESPN Unlimited either as a standalone service or with a qualifying TV provider that includes it. Those TV plans include Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV, Fubo, and YouTube TV.
What channels have the College Football Playoff first round?
The four games in the CFP first round will air on a combination of ESPN and TNT Sports networks. Both ESPN games will also air on ABC, while the two TNT games will also appear on truTV and HBO Max.
Which CFP teams have a first-round bye?
The teams with a first-round bye in the 2025–2026 College Football Playoff are Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com writers, Eric Chiu and Alex Vejar, created this guide by researching this year’s College Football Playoff first-round schedule and channel details. They verified the TV information with official broadcast sources and analyzed the best viewing options. Additionally, they examined team stats and storylines to provide an in-depth preview of the matchup.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
