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The first College Football Playoff rankings for the 2026 season will be unveiled tonight at 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. This marks the beginning of a series of six weekly rankings that will determine the teams competing in the 12-team playoff field. Projections suggest that unbeaten Miami will claim the top spot, followed by Georgia at number two.
The Power Four conference champions will receive automatic bids into the tournament, regardless of their ranking, while the top four teams will earn byes into the quarterfinals. According to ESPN, the selection committee faces a challenging task with only three undefeated teams remaining as of November, the fewest since the CFP began in 2014.
The rankings will provide insight into how the committee values schedule strength and head-to-head victories. Teams like Ohio State, which has faced challenges due to injuries, and two-loss SEC teams, will be closely watched. 247Sports reports that Indiana is expected to be included in the initial field, with an 84.6% chance of making the playoff.
USA Today notes that the rankings will offer a fresh perspective on the teams vying for the playoff spots, with Miami, Utah, and UCLA among the undefeated teams likely to be included. The rankings will be updated weekly, leading up to the final bracket announcement in December.