Hey everyone, Summer here.

And welcome to the first weekend of 2026—which just happens to be one ofthe biggest football weekends of the entire year.

If you're a football fan, cancel your plans. Clear your schedule. Stockup on snacks and beverages. Because this Saturday and Sunday are absolutelyloaded with games that actually matter.

We've got College Football Playoff Quarterfinals—Oregon, Alabama, andGeorgia all playing for a shot at the national championship. And we've got NFLWeek 18—the final regular season games where playoff spots are on the line andteams are fighting for their postseason lives.

So grab your jersey, settle into your favorite watching spot, and let'sbreak down what you need to know about this incredible football weekend.

PART ONE: COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF QUARTERFINALS

Let's start with Saturday's College Football Playoff action, becausethese three games are absolutely massive.

Orange Bowl - Oregon vs. Texas Tech (Noon ET)

The day kicks off at noon Eastern with Oregon taking on Texas Tech in theOrange Bowl. Oregon has been one of the most explosive teams allseason—high-powered offense, speed everywhere, a team that can score inbunches. Texas Tech? They're the scrappy underdog that nobody saw coming,playing with house money at this point.

This should be a shootout. Both teams can put points on the board. Thequestion is whether Texas Tech's defense can slow down Oregon's offense longenough to keep it close. My gut says Oregon advances, but Texas Tech hasshocked people before. Don't sleep on the Red Raiders.

Rose Bowl - Alabama vs. Indiana (4 PM ET)

Then at 4 PM, we get Alabama versus Indiana in the Rose Bowl. And look,Alabama is Alabama—legendary program, championship pedigree, the kind of teamthat shows up in big games because they've been there a thousand times before.

Indiana, on the other hand, is the Cinderella story. They weren'tsupposed to be here. They overachieved, they battled, they earned this spot.And now they're facing the ultimate test against one of college football'sdynasties.

Can Indiana hang with Alabama's talent and experience? It's possible.Upsets happen. But Alabama in a playoff game? That's a tough ask. Still, youwatch because you never know—and wouldn't it be something if Indiana pulled itoff?

Sugar Bowl - Georgia vs. Ole Miss (8 PM ET)

And then Saturday night at 8 PM, we get Georgia versus Ole Miss in theSugar Bowl. Georgia has been dominant for years now—back-to-back nationalchampionships recently, a program that just reloads with talent year afteryear. They're the standard.

Ole Miss is dangerous, though. They've got playmakers, they've got anoffense that can score, and they've got nothing to lose playing against thedefending champions. This game could be closer than people think.

But Georgia in a playoff game? They know how to win when it matters. OleMiss will make it interesting, but I'd be surprised if Georgia doesn't advance.