CFP Rankings Release Time and Schedule for Today
The 2025 college football season is rolling, and fans are buzzing about the first College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings. These rankings drop Tuesday, Nov. 4, and they’ll finally give us a peek at which teams are actually in the hunt for those precious playoff spots.
Ohio State, last year’s champs, is widely expected to snag the top spot. Indiana, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Georgia are also right in the mix. There’s a lot to keep track of, so here’s what you need to know about the upcoming CFP rankings and how they might shake up the rest of the season.
Contents
When and Where to Watch the CFP Rankings
The first College Football Playoff rankings for 2025 come out at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 4. This is just the start—there will be new rankings every Tuesday through Dec. 2.
The final, playoff-deciding rankings drop at noon ET on Sunday, Dec. 7. Mark your calendars, because that’s when things get real.
How to Watch
You can catch the live CFP rankings show on ESPN. Prefer streaming? Try the ESPN app (you’ll need a TV login) or Fubo, which has a free trial and carries ESPN networks.
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 4
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- TV channel: ESPN
- Livestream: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
The Top Contenders
Ohio State is expected to be leading the pack. They’re sitting at 8-0 and haven’t lost a regular-season game since Michigan took them down last year.
The Buckeyes, as defending champs, have a strong shot at keeping that No. 1 ranking—unless something wild happens.
Big Ten Powerhouses
Indiana is right there with them, undefeated at 9-0. Their run this season has people talking about a possible No. 2 spot.
SEC Dominance
The SEC, as usual, is loaded. Texas A&M (8-0), Alabama (7-1), and Georgia (7-1) are all in the top five conversation.
Honestly, these teams just keep finding ways to win, and it’s tough to bet against them when the stakes are high.
Dark Horses and Group of Five Teams
Some teams outside the usual suspects are making things interesting. BYU is 8-0 in the Big 12, while Virginia is 8-1 in the ACC. Both are looking like early favorites for their conference titles.
They’ve got a shot at grabbing one of those coveted highest-ranked conference champion spots. Wouldn’t that shake things up?
Group of Five Standouts
Memphis, sitting at No. 23 and 8-1 in the American Athletic Conference, is the Group of Five team to watch. They’ve played some impressive football this year.
They’ll be hoping to make some noise when the rankings come out.
Key Dates for the 2026 College Football Playoff
Looking ahead, the 2026 College Football Playoff schedule is already set. Here’s what’s on the slate:
- Selection show: Sunday, Dec. 7
- First round: Friday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec. 20
- Quarterfinals: Wednesday, Dec. 31 and Thursday, Jan. 1
- Semifinals: Thursday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 9
- National championship: Monday, Jan. 19
Implications for Teams
For teams like Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Georgia, keeping up their current form is going to be pretty important if they want to stay in the playoff hunt. It really feels like one misstep could change everything for them.
On the other hand, teams like BYU, Virginia, and Memphis have to keep pushing. If they can keep up their strong performances, they’ve got a real shot at climbing the rankings and grabbing a spot.
Want more details on what’s coming up for the College Football Playoff rankings? Or just need to keep up with college football in general? Check out the original article on USA Today.
