“College Football Playoff Rankings Release Schedule and Key Matchups”
As the college football season rolls into its most electric stretch, fans and analysts are buzzing about the upcoming College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings. Rivalry Week is in the rearview, and Championship Saturday is looming. The selection committee? They’ve got some tough calls ahead that could totally reshape the 2025 postseason.
This post takes a closer look at how the top teams are sorted out, the matchups that matter most, and when you can expect the next CFP rankings to drop. Let’s dive in.
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Key Decisions Ahead for the Selection Committee
The committee faces a real puzzle in the SEC after a wild weekend. Texas A&M, who’d been sitting pretty at No. 3, just took their first loss of the season—right when it mattered most.
That stumble sends shockwaves through the rankings. Now, Alabama—fresh off a win over Auburn—and Georgia, who are gearing up for the SEC championship, look set to climb at the Aggies’ expense.
SEC Shakeup: Alabama and Georgia on the Rise
Alabama’s win against Auburn really locked in their spot in the playoff conversation. Next up, they’re facing Georgia for the SEC title.
This showdown is going to have a massive impact on how the final rankings shake out. Both teams are expected to move up, taking advantage of Texas A&M’s slip.
Big 12 and Big Ten Showdowns
Over in the Big 12, Texas Tech and BYU are gearing up for a rematch in the conference championship. That one’s got plenty of hype.
Meanwhile, the Big Ten title game is a battle of the unbeatens: Ohio State vs. Indiana. It’s tough to overstate how much these games will shape the playoff picture.
ACC Championship: An Unexpected Twist
The ACC’s taken a weird turn. Miami’s been the top dog all season, but the conference champ will be either Virginia or—believe it or not—a 7-5 Duke team.
This twist throws an extra wrench into things, forcing the committee to compare these teams against the rest of the field. Makes you wonder how they’ll weigh it all.
Metrics Used by the Selection Committee
The College Football Playoff selectors use a whole mix of metrics to size up teams. They look at:
- Strength of schedule
- Head-to-head game results
- Results vs. teams in top 25 rankings
- Results vs. common opponents
- Conference championships
Each committee member builds their own list of 30 teams. From there, teams get ranked whenever three or more members agree on a pick.
Schedule for CFP Rankings Release
The CFP rankings drop is always a big deal—fans are glued to their screens, waiting to see where their teams land. Here’s the rundown for when you can catch each release:
- CFP rankings release No. 1: Tues., Nov. 4 at 8 p.m.
- CFP rankings release No. 2: Tues., Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.
- CFP rankings release No. 3: Tues., Nov. 18 at 8:30 p.m.
- CFP rankings release No. 4: Tues., Nov. 25 at 7 p.m.
- CFP rankings release No. 5: Tues., Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.
- Selection Sunday: Sun., Dec. 7 at 12 p.m.
The fourth College Football Playoff rankings will be out Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. Eastern. If you’re curious, you can catch the live broadcast on ESPN.
That release is always a bit of a nail-biter, offering a peek into what the committee’s thinking—and setting the table for Selection Sunday on Dec. 7. Can’t wait to see how it all shakes out.
Looking Ahead to Selection Sunday
Selection Sunday marks the end of the ranking process. It’s when the final top 25 teams are revealed, and that’s always a tense moment.
The committee’s choices here set up the matchups for the College Football Playoff and the big bowl games. As the season wraps up, the pressure on these teams is almost palpable.
If you want to dig deeper into how the College Football Playoff rankings work, or just want the nitty-gritty on the selection process, check out Sports Illustrated.
We’ll keep an eye on things and share updates as the 2025 college football season heads toward its peak. There’s a lot at stake, and honestly, every committee decision is bound to get picked apart by fans and teams waiting for those final rankings.
