The college football postseason is here, and while that means the season is coming to an end, it also means another month of football with bowl games playing almost every day for the next few weeks.

Bowl season culminates in the College Football Playoff National Championship, where the first champion of the new 12-team playoff team will be crowned on Monday, January 20. First, the field of 12 teams must be narrowed down to two teams. This journey begins with the first round of the CFP, which ends on Saturday with three meetings.

Notre Dame defeated Indiana 27-17 on Friday to advance to the quarterfinals. The Fighting Irish will face Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.

2024-25 College Football Bowl Schedule: Complete List, Results, Matchups, Dates, Times, TV Channels

For the entire schedule of bowl games through January, including the first round, quarterfinals, semifinals and the CFP national championship game, Click here. Read on for a rundown of what college football action is on tap today.

2024-25 College Football Playoff: Final 12 team lineup announced, with Oregon on top, SMU in, Alabama out

What college football bowl games are today?

Saturday December 21st

12 p.m. – CFP first round game (TNT & Max)
#11 SMU @ #6 Penn State

4:00 p.m. – CFP first round game (TNT & Max)
#12 Clemson @ #5 Texas

8:00 p.m. – CFP first round game (ESPN/ABC)
#9 Tennessee @ #8 Ohio State

Tennessee vs. Ohio State College Football Playoff First Round: Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Head-to-Head Record

When are the College Football Playoffs?

The College Football Playoff begins with first-round games on December 20th and 21st (full schedule below). The winners of these matches advance to the quarterfinals, scheduled for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The semi-finals will take place on January 9th and 10th The national championship will take place on January 20th.

2024-25 College Football Playoff Predictions: Picks, Odds, Bracket, Champion from NBC Sports Experts

Best bets for Saturday’s college football bowl games

The NBC Sports team has you covered throughout the bowl season, where the betting picture is complicated by player opt-outs and transfer portal changes. Below are odds, picks and more for Saturday’s CFP first-round games:

• College Football Playoffs: SMU at Penn State – Prediction, Odds, Expert Picks, QBs, Betting Trends and Stats
• College Football Playoffs: Clemson at Texas – Prediction Odds, Expert Picks, QBs, Betting Trends and Stats
• College Football Playoffs: Tennessee vs. Ohio State – Prediction, Odds, Expert Picks, QBs, Trends and Stats