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2025 College Bowl Season Kicks Off with Major Matchups

12/14/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The 2025-26 college football bowl season opens December 13, 2025 with Boise State Broncos facing Washington Huskies in the LA Bowl.
Forty-six bowls will be played over the next five weeks, including the College Football Playoff.
Notre Dame opted out of bowl participation after being snubbed by the playoff committee.
The College Football Playoff begins December 19, 2025, featuring Alabama Crimson Tide and Oklahoma Sooners in a rematch.

History

Historical Context

Established in 2014, the College Football Playoff (CFP) replaced the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) to enhance competitive fairness in college football. The inaugural championship on January 12, 2015, saw Ohio State defeat Oregon 42-20. This shift allowed teams like Alabama and Oklahoma to vie for national titles, reflecting a growing emphasis on inclusivity and commercialization in college sports, with 46 bowl games now in play.

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Story summary

The 2025-26 college football bowl season opens December 13, 2025 with Boise State Broncos facing Washington Huskies in the LA Bowl.
Forty-six bowls will be played over the next five weeks, including the College Football Playoff.
Notre Dame opted out of bowl participation after being snubbed by the playoff committee.
The College Football Playoff begins December 19, 2025, featuring Alabama Crimson Tide and Oklahoma Sooners in a rematch.

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