Friday, January 2 delivers a full, fan-friendly bowl slate that stretches from early afternoon into late night. With four games across ESPN and FOX, fans can watch continuously without overlap stress, making this one of the most enjoyable viewing days of bowl season.

Friday Bowl Schedule at a Glance

Time (ET) Game Bowl TV
1:00 p.m. Rice vs. Texas State Armed Forces Bowl ESPN
4:30 p.m. Navy vs. Cincinnati Liberty Bowl ESPN
8:00 p.m. Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State Duke’s Mayo Bowl ESPN
8:00 p.m. SMU vs. Arizona Holiday Bowl FOX

Read more: College Football Schedule Jan. 1–2: Game Times, Previews, Where to Watch & Streaming Guidance

Friday College Football Bowl Watch Guide
Friday College Football Bowl Watch Guide

1:00 p.m. ET — Armed Forces Bowl

Rice vs. Texas State
Fort Worth, Texas | ESPN

What to watch

  • Tempo control: Rice prefers long, steady drives; Texas State is more aggressive

  • Early momentum: Daytime bowls often reward teams that start clean

  • Field position: Outdoor conditions elevate the importance of fundamentals

Best for: Fans easing into the day who enjoy disciplined, lower-chaos football.

4:30 p.m. ET — Liberty Bowl

Navy vs. Cincinnati
Memphis, Tennessee | ESPN

What to watch

  • Clock movement: Navy’s possession-heavy style vs. Cincinnati’s defensive structure

  • Third downs: The most important stat in this game

  • Patience factor: This matchup rewards focus more than flash

Best for: Fans who enjoy tactical football and coaching adjustments.

8:00 p.m. ET — Duke’s Mayo Bowl

Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State
Charlotte, North Carolina | ESPN

What to watch

  • ACC vs. SEC contrast: Timing and spacing vs. physicality

  • Second-half stamina: Charlotte games often tighten late

  • Penalty discipline: Small mistakes swing prime-time bowls

Best for: Viewers who enjoy physical, evenly matched prime-time games.

8:00 p.m. ET — Holiday Bowl

SMU vs. Arizona
San Diego, California | FOX

What to watch

  • Fast starts: SMU looks to establish rhythm early

  • Adjustments: Arizona tends to improve as games progress

  • Late-night flow: West Coast bowls often open offensively

Best for: Night owls and fans who enjoy pace, space, and relaxed bowl energy.

Read more: 5 Free Ways to Watch College Football (NCAAF) Without Cable: A Complete Guide

Where to Watch & Stream All Friday Games

TV Networks

  • ESPN: Armed Forces Bowl, Liberty Bowl, Duke’s Mayo Bowl

  • FOX: Holiday Bowl

Streaming (Official & Reliable)

Pro tip: Afternoon bowls start on time. Prime-time games benefit from logging in 10–15 minutes early.

Read more: Top 10 Best College Football Teams in the United States of All Time

How to Watch Friday Like a Pro

  • Best all-day plan: Start at 1:00 p.m. ET and roll straight through dinner

  • If you must choose one: Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State (most balanced matchup)

  • Late-night option: SMU vs. Arizona on FOX

  • Strategy fans: Navy vs. Cincinnati is the most conceptually interesting

Bottom Line

Friday’s bowl slate offers variety, clean scheduling, and accessible viewing. From disciplined early games to relaxed West Coast night football, January 2 is built for fans who want to watch college football without rushing or guessing where to tune in.