The final day of 2025 offers another full schedule of college football bowl games, culminating in the first of the four College Football Playoff quarterfinal contests.
But before Ohio State and Miami renew acquaintances for the first time in nearly a quarter century, there are several other compelling matchups on the undercard. The traditional year-end SEC vs. Big Ten twin bill in the Sunshine State is on the docket, and the ACC champion and a couple of contenders from the Big 12 also take the field.
Here’s everything you need to know if you want to end the calendar year with a day of gridiron action before that other ball drops at midnight.
ReliaQuest Bowl: No. 12 Vanderbilt vs. Iowa (8-4)
Time/TV: noon ET, ESPN in Tampa, Fla.
Why watch: The New Year’s Eve fun kicks off with this attractive matchup of teams that were, at least for parts of the season, in the playoff conversation. The Commodores admittedly were significantly closer to the at-large pool, but the Hawkeyes gave eventual Big Ten champion and No.-1 seed Indiana as much of a battle as anyone. Vanderbilt QB and Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia will play, but one of his top weapons, TE Eli Stowers, will not as he prepares for the NFL draft. The Iowa defense is always fundamentally sound, and LB Karson Sharar will lead the effort to keep Pavia bottled up. Hawkeyes’ QB Mark Gronowski isn’t quite the explosive two-way threat Pavia is, but he does have 15 rushing TDs to go along with his eight scoring throws. His primary pursuer will be Commodores’ DE Miles Capers.
Why it could disappoint: It shouldn’t, but it will also not be a track meet. These are similarly constructed teams that don’t often beat themselves, and the game-changing play could be delivered by the special teams.
Sun Bowl: Arizona State vs. Duke
Time/TV: 2 p.m. ET, CBS in El Paso, Texas.
Why watch: It’s a devilish matchup in west Texas as improbable ACC champ Duke takes on an ASU squad responsible for Texas Tech’s lone regular-season loss. Unfortunately from a competitive standpoint, the Sun Devils will be without most key contributors due to injury or intent to transfer. The good news is veteran QB Jeff Sims saw considerable playing time during the season when Sam Leavitt was sidelined. He’ll rely on RB Kanye Udoh for ground support with Raleek Brown also among the optouts. The Blue Devils are in better personnel shape, with QB Darian Mensah not only expected to play but also slated to return next season. Top RB Nate Sheppard and WR Cooper Barkate should also be available.
Why it could disappoint: It probably will to be honest. The Sun Devils will be able to put a viable team on the field, but Duke’s more experienced lineup could take charge in short order. Duke, 34-17.
Citrus Bowl: No. 14 Texas vs. No. 17 Michigan
Time/TV: 3 p.m. ET, ABC in Orlando, Fla.
Why watch: This is certainly a high-profile matchup in terms of name recognition. There’s also most assuredly a curiosity factor with the Wolverines in a messy coaching transition and the Longhorns hoping to lay a foundation for next season. Several key defenders for both teams won’t be available, including Texas DBMichael Taaffe and Michigan DL Jayshaun Barham. Longhorns QB Arch Manning and Wolverines QB Bryce Underwood will be around, though the latter’s plans for when Kyle Whittingham and his new coaching staff arrive in Ann Arbor remain to be seen.
Why it could disappoint: It’s hard to know what to expect in this one, as both teams have numerous players out with injuries even beyond the optouts and transfers. There aren’t likely to be many offensive fireworks regardless.
Las Vegas Bowl: No. 15 Utah vs. Nebraska
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Why watch: The final non-playoff contest of the day pits the Utes, whose only two losses came against the Big 12 finalists, and the Cornhuskers, whose promising season was derailed by injuries and second-half meltdowns. The game will mark the head coaching debut for Morgan Scalley, Utah’s long-time defensive coordinator who will succeed Kyle Whittingham perhaps one contest sooner than expected. Utes’ QB Devon Dampier and RB Wayshawn Parker are expected to play, and they should be able to control the clock by keeping the ball on the ground. Nebraska was already without QB Dylan Raiola for the final month of the campaign, and leading RB Emmett Johnson is opting out of this one. QB T.J. Lateef will be around, though he had limited success in November losses to Penn State and Iowa.
Why it could disappoint: Even if Nebraska had its opening-day lineup, there would be major mismatch potential. This will probably be over quickly.
Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 10 Miami (Fla.)
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN in Arlington, Texas.
Why watch: The first of the four quarterfinal bowls features the defending CFP champion Buckeyes, again officially the Big Ten runners-up but this time receiving a first-round bye due to new seeding policies, against the Hurricanes, the last team in from the at-large pool according to the rankings but justifying their inclusion with a first-round victory at Texas A&M. Miami QB Carson Beck could use another strong outing from RB Mark Fletcher and his run blockers, who will be up against the stingy Buckeyes’ ground defense that surrenders just 84.5 yards a game. Beck has a constant big-play threat in WR Malachi Toney, but the deep waters in the middle of the field where S Caleb Downs and LB Sonny Styles patrol can be quite treacherous. Ohio State QB Julian Sayin might need to stretch the field more as well. He certainly has the weapons with WRs Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, but the issue will be having enough time to find them with Hurricanes’ DEs Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor coming at him from the edges.
Why it could disappoint: There weren’t many points scored the last time both teams took the field, though that hardly meant their respective contests lacked drama. A barrage of mistakes might lead to a one-sided affair. For what it’s worth, Ohio State has not had a game like that this year, while Miami has.
