College Football Playoff Rankings 2025: Release Schedule and Key Dates
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff (CFP) is starting to come into focus. Fans are buzzing about the first set of rankings.
Ohio State, with head coach Ryan Day and quarterback Julian Sayin, looks like the top contender for the No. 1 seed in the new 12-team CFP field. The Buckeyes are chasing back-to-back championships, and you can feel the excitement building.
If you want all the details, the full article is over at USA Today.
Contents
Key Dates for the 2025-26 College Football Playoff
This CFP season is loaded with key dates. The first rankings come out on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. ET.
After that, there are four more Tuesday releases, wrapping up on Dec. 2. The official 12-team playoff field will be revealed on Sunday, Dec. 7 at noon ET.
Ranking Release Dates
- Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. ET
- Sunday, Dec. 7 at noon ET
Playoff Schedule
The playoff kicks off with first-round games on Friday, Dec. 19 and Saturday, Dec. 20. Quarterfinals land on Wednesday, Dec. 31 and Thursday, Jan. 1.
Semifinals are set for Thursday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 9. The national championship wraps it all up on Monday, Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Teams to Watch
Several teams are making a strong push for the playoff as the season rolls on. Ohio State seems to have a grip on the No. 1 spot, aiming to do what Georgia did not long ago—win back-to-back championships.
With Ryan Day at the helm and Julian Sayin leading the offense, the Buckeyes are stacked. They’re going to be tough to beat.
Big Ten and SEC Dominance
Right now, it looks like most CFP spots would go to Big Ten and SEC teams if the season ended after Week 9. These two conferences have a habit of sending their best to the playoff.
Expect some intense battles as they fight for those coveted spots.
Ohio State’s Quest for Back-to-Back Championships
Ohio State wants to match Georgia’s back-to-back title run. Georgia’s 29-1 stretch in 2021 and 2022 set a ridiculous standard.
The Buckeyes have the talent and experience to give it a real shot.
How to Watch the College Football Playoff Rankings
You can catch the live CFP rankings on ESPN. They’ll have analysis and commentary, as usual.
If you’d rather stream, both the ESPN app and Fubo have you covered. Fubo even throws in a free trial for newcomers, which is handy for anyone just tuning in.
Streaming Options
- ESPN app (with a TV login)
- Fubo (free trial available)
Why Watch the Rankings?
The CFP rankings reveal is always a big moment. It gives fans a peek at what the committee’s thinking and sets the tone for the playoff chase.
It’s a great way to see which teams are in the mix and what they still need to do to make it in.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 College Football Playoff season looks like it’s shaping up to be a wild ride. There’s a real buzz about Ohio State trying to snag back-to-back championships, and you can’t really ignore how much the Big Ten and SEC seem to be running the show these days.
Honestly, the anticipation around those first rankings is kind of contagious. If you’re into this stuff, it’s probably smart to jot down the key dates so you don’t miss anything.
And hey, if you want to keep tabs, just flip on ESPN or stream the rankings shows. For the nitty-gritty details, you can always check out the full article over at USA Today.
