College football playoff rankings got a new No. 1 on Tuesday, as Georgia replaced Miami at the top of the committee’s second release of the 2026 season. The Bulldogs sit at 8-1, ahead of unbeaten Utah and Alabama, and the race for the 12-team bracket is tightening with three weeks left in the regular season.
Full College Football Playoff Rankings: Georgia Takes No. 1
The committee’s second set of college football playoff rankings reshuffled the contenders. Here is the full list with records:
- Georgia (8-1)
- Utah (9-0)
- Alabama (7-2)
- UCLA (9-0)
- Notre Dame (8-1)
- Texas (7-2)
- Miami (8-1)
- Tennessee (7-2)
- Indiana (8-1)
- BYU (7-2)
- Kentucky (7-2)
- Texas Tech (8-1)
- Wake Forest (8-1)
- Houston (7-2)
- Iowa (7-2)
- Oregon (6-3)
- South Carolina (6-3)
- USC (7-2)
- Ole Miss (6-3)
- Ohio State (6-3)
- LSU (6-3)
- Missouri (6-3)
- Arizona (7-2)
- Boise State (8-1)
- Oklahoma State (6-3)
Utah and UCLA are both 9-0 but rank behind one-loss Georgia, a sign the committee is weighing résumé strength heavily.
Projected 12-Team Bracket and First-Round Byes
Seeding follows the CFP rankings directly. The four highest-ranked teams earn first-round byes: No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Utah, No. 3 Alabama, and No. 4 UCLA.
The first-round matchups, hosted at campus sites, would be:
- No. 9 Indiana at No. 8 Tennessee, with the winner facing Georgia
- No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Notre Dame, with the winner facing UCLA
- No. 11 Kentucky at No. 6 Texas, with the winner facing Alabama
- No. 10 BYU at No. 7 Miami, with the winner facing Utah
Boise State is the lowest-seeded team in the field and the one most at risk. Any slip would open the door for Texas Tech or Wake Forest, both 8-1.
Key Storylines Shaping the Race
Notre Dame has been climbing in the college football playoff rankings and now sits fifth, positioned for a home game in round one. Miami’s drop from No. 1 to No. 7 is the biggest swing, and it means the Hurricanes would host a first-round game rather than earn a bye.
Oregon, Ohio State, LSU and Ole Miss are all 6-3 and clinging to the back half of the poll. They need to win out and get help to stay in the conversation.
Playoff talk also fuels draft buzz. Fans tracking the next generation of passers can check our guide to the 2027 NFL Draft quarterbacks and top prospects, or see where the top college stars could land in our early 2027 NFL mock draft. For the pro side of the postseason, our NFL playoff picture breakdown covers the AFC and NFC seeds.
What’s Next: Final Selection Day
The committee will release new rankings every Tuesday through the end of the regular season. The last set arrives Sunday, Dec. 6, and the final college football playoff rankings will set the 12-team bracket. Army and Navy meet on Dec. 12, after the field is locked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is No. 1 in the college football playoff rankings right now?
Georgia is No. 1 at 8-1, followed by Utah (9-0) and Alabama (7-2).
When are the final college football playoff rankings released?
The final rankings come out Sunday, Dec. 6, and determine the 12-team bracket.
How many teams make the College Football Playoff?
Twelve teams qualify. The top four seeds receive first-round byes, and the rest play first-round games at campus sites.
Are unbeaten teams guaranteed a top seed?
No. Utah and UCLA are both 9-0, but one-loss Georgia ranks first, so seeding depends on the committee’s full evaluation.