Who’s In, Who’s Out in the First College Football Playoff Rankings Release?

Members of the College Football Playoff have revealed their first rankings. What teams are on the right side, and the wrong side, of the bracket right now?

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Members of the College Football Playoff selection committee have plenty to stew over as they compile the first official rankings of the 2026 season.

Four different teams have been the AP No. 1 ranked team in college football already. How much do the selectors agree and disagree with the pollsters?

Hint: There’s a lot of SEC and Big Ten.

The College Football Playoff Field Right Now

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1. Miami. The projected ACC champion is still undefeated, but goes into a big challenge at Notre Dame this weekend.

2. Georgia. They lost to Auburn but also beat Alabama and just crushed Georgia.

3. Utah. Still perfect, the Utes will be tested against rival BYU in a critical Holy War game on Saturday.

4. Indiana. Ohio State’s loss moves the Hoosiers back into Big Ten favorite territory.

5. Alabama. A nice jump for the Crimson Tide, despite losses to Georgia and Tennessee.

6. Kentucky. The Wildcats are still in first place in the SEC, but will be tested at Tennessee this week.

7. Texas. Wins against Ohio State and Ole Miss helped buoy the Longhorns’ resume.

8. UCLA. Bob Chesney is still undefeated and could very well finish that way.

9. BYU. What happens at Utah on Saturday will help or hurt the Cougars in a big way.

10. Ole Miss. The Rebels host Georgia this weekend in a massive SEC clash.

11. Notre Dame. Still clinging to a place in the top dozen, the Irish will prove they belong, or don’t, against Miami in a few days.

25. Boise State. The Broncos are still the class of the Group of Six and the No. 12 seed, but had to win in a shootout against Texas State last time out.

What the Bracket Looks Like Today

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The Automatic Qualifiers

Miami, projected ACC champion

Georgia, projected SEC champion

Utah, projected Big 12 champion

Indiana, projected Big Ten champion

Boise State, projected Group of Six rep

First teams out: Ohio State, Tennessee

Teams With First Round Byes

1. Miami
2. Georgia
3. Utah
4. Indiana

Projected First Round Games

12 Boise State at 5 Alabama
Winner plays No. 4 Indiana

9 BYU at 8 UCLA
Winner plays No. 1 Miami

11 Notre Dame at 6 Kentucky
Winner plays No. 3 Utah

10 Ole Miss at 7 Texas
Winner plays No. 2 Georgia

College Football Playoff Rankings

Teams in bold would be in the College Football Playoff if it started today

1. Miami
2. Georgia
3. Utah
4. Indiana
5. Alabama
6. Kentucky
7. Texas
8. UCLA
9. BYU
10. Ole Miss
11. Notre Dame
12. Ohio State
13. Tennessee
14. LSU
15. Texas Tech
16. Wake Forest
17. Houston
18. Missouri
19. Iowa
20. USC
21. South Carolina
22. Arizona
23. Oregon
24. Florida
25. Boise State