The College Football Playoff run begins on Friday when SEC powers Alabama and Oklahoma get together for the second time this season. The Sooners won the first meeting in Tuscaloosa. ESPN will provide the announcers for all four games but two of them will be on TNT/truTV.

Ohio State didn't fall far. The Buckeyes, looking to defend their 2024 national championship, landed at No. 2, followed by SEC champion Georgia at No. 3 and Big 12 champion Texas Tech at No. 4. Those four teams earn opening-round byes.

When are CFP first-round games? Dates, times, TV channels, announcers for Alabama-Oklahoma, Miami-Texas A&M, Tulane-Ole Miss, James Madison-Oregon.

The 11-game college football playoff begins Friday, Dec 19 when No. 9 Alabama takes on No. 8 Oklahoma and end with the national championship game on Monday, Jan 19. Every playoff game is an elimination game: The winner goes to the next round, and the loser goes home.

The 2025-26 College Football Playoff bracket is officially set, giving teams a clear roadmap toward the national championship. Following a regular season filled with drama and intense conference championship battles, the top programs now shift their attention to the CFP, aiming for a shot at college football's ultimate prize.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 20: Caleb Downs #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates at the trophy presentation after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2025 CFP National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) Getty Images

Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 NFL playoff schedule, including dates, times and how to watch.

The Patriots were on the bye in Week 14 and have a massive contest against the Buffalo at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. While that game won't flip the standings in the AFC East in the event that New England loses, a win would lock it up for Mike Vrabel's club .