Quick answer: The first 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) Top 25 was released on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with Miami No. 1, Georgia No. 2 and Utah No. 3. The next rankings are scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, at approximately 9 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. The final rankings and 12-team bracket will be announced Sunday, December 6.
Updated November 8, 2026. The list below is explicitly the November 3 committee ranking based on games played through October 31, not a prediction of the November 10 update.
Official College Football Playoff Top 25: November 3, 2026
The CFP selection committee’s official first ranking lists these teams. Records below are from that release, before games played November 1–8.
| Rank | Team | Record as of Oct. 31 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami | 8–0 |
| 2 | Georgia | 7–1 |
| 3 | Utah | 8–0 |
| 4 | Indiana | 8–1 |
| 5 | Alabama | 6–2 |
| 6 | Kentucky | 7–1 |
| 7 | Texas | 6–2 |
| 8 | UCLA | 8–0 |
| 9 | BYU | 7–1 |
| 10 | Ole Miss | 6–2 |
| 11 | Notre Dame | 7–1 |
| 12 | Ohio State | 6–2 |
| 13 | Tennessee | 6–2 |
| 14 | LSU | 6–2 |
| 15 | Texas Tech | 7–1 |
| 16 | Wake Forest | 7–1 |
| 17 | Houston | 6–2 |
| 18 | Missouri | 6–2 |
| 19 | Iowa | 6–2 |
| 20 | Southern California | 7–2 |
| 21 | South Carolina | 5–3 |
| 22 | Arizona | 6–2 |
| 23 | Oregon | 5–3 |
| 24 | Florida | 5–3 |
| 25 | Boise State | 7–1 |
When are the next 2026 CFP rankings announced?
The committee has a six-release schedule, including the final Selection Day. ESPN is the announced broadcast platform.
| Date | Scheduled release (ET) |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, November 3 | 7–8 p.m. — first ranking, already released |
| Tuesday, November 10 | 9–9:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday, November 17 | 9–9:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday, November 24 | 7:30–8 p.m. |
| Tuesday, December 1 | 7–7:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, December 6 | Noon–3 p.m. — Selection Day |
The dates and windows come from the CFP’s official 2026–27 committee schedule. Broadcast schedules can change; verify the ESPN schedule before the show.
How does the 12-team CFP bracket work in 2026?
The official 2026–27 CFP bracket guide lists automatic bids for the champions of the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC, plus the highest-ranked champion from the American, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Pac-12 or Sun Belt. Seven at-large berths go to the best remaining teams under the stated rules. The bracket guidance also includes a Notre Dame provision if it finishes in the final Top 12. Qualification is decided from the final rankings, not automatically from where a team stands in early November.
Does being ranked in the Top 12 now guarantee a playoff place?
No. The November 3 rankings are interim committee standings. Teams can move after subsequent games, and automatic conference bids influence the final field. The committee makes its official selections on December 6. The ranking number alone on November 3 is not a confirmed postseason seed.
What does the committee consider besides wins and losses?
The official CFP release describes strength of schedule, head-to-head results, results versus common opponents and other relevant factors, including key personnel availability. The separate committee explainer says 13 members deliberate and rank teams; its procedures also specify conflict-of-interest recusals. Rankings reflect committee evaluation, not a single formula or a fan poll.
Important 2026–27 playoff dates
December 6, 2026: Selection Day and final bracket. December 18–19: first-round games on campus. January 25, 2027: national championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Final game locations and paths are announced by the CFP. Some formats and paths may change by future seasons; this guide applies to 2026–27.
How to watch and verify the latest rankings
- Open the official CFP site for rankings and news releases.
- Check the release date: an article showing the November 3 Top 25 is not necessarily the latest list after November 10.
- Watch the announced ESPN television or app coverage, subject to your provider’s viewing access.
- On December 6, review the published official bracket rather than assuming the interim Top 12 are the qualifiers.
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Sources
CFP first Top 25, November 3, 2026; 2026 CFP schedule; official 2026–27 bracket rules; committee selection process.
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When are the next CFP rankings released in 2026?
The next announcement is Tuesday, November 10, around 9 p.m. ET, according to the official College Football Playoff schedule.
Who is number one in the first 2026 CFP rankings?
Miami held the No. 1 position in the official November 3, 2026 rankings. These rankings reflect games played through October 31 and may change.
How many teams make the College Football Playoff?
The 2026 season uses a 12-team playoff field with automatic conference qualifiers and at-large selections under the official CFP rules.
When is Selection Day 2026?
Sunday, December 6, 2026, with the final rankings and bracket announcement scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN.
