College football rankings and research

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CFP rankings · Updated Nov. 4

How Much Should You Trust the Opening CFP Ranking?

Trust the top of it, where most teams get in. From #9 down, it's closer to a coin flip.

With 12 Spots, the Opening Top 8 Usually Gets In

Made the 12-team field, by spot in the opening ranking

#1 to #2#1 to #2: 4 of 4 made the 12-team field4 of 4#3 to #8#3 to #8: 10 of 12 made the 12-team field10 of 12#9 to #12#9 to #12: 4 of 8 made the 12-team field4 of 8#13 to #25#13 to #25: 3 of 26 made the 12-team field3 of 26

12-team playoff, 2024 and 2025

BYU, Ole Miss, Notre Dame and Ohio State sit at #9 to #12 now.

Read the report
Teams with a first-round bye are 1-7 in their playoff opener2024 and 2025 playoffsHow the teams with a first-round bye did in their first playoff game. When Do the CFP Rankings Come Out?2026 scheduleAll six ranking dates, the 13 committee members and how they pick the teams. If the Playoff Started TodayThis weekThe 12-team bracket this week's rankings would make. AP poll votersUpdated Nov. 1Every AP Top 25 voter this week, and how far each ranking sat from the published poll.

Think the committee has it wrong?

Rank Your Top 25