Main Story

The College Football Playoff’s first 2026 rankings put Miami at No. 1 and sketch out a 12-team bracket, with Boise State, BYU, Notre Dame and Ole Miss currently claiming the last four spots. It’s only a snapshot: the committee will issue four more rankings before unveiling the official field on Dec. 6.

By the Numbers
  • Miami, Utah, UCLA and Boise State are undefeated or have one loss.
  • The projected field includes 12 teams, with the top four receiving first-round byes.
  • The committee will release four more in-season rankings before the final selections on Dec. 6.
Yes, But

The bracket is not official, and the rankings—and projected matchups—can change as teams play out the season. Automatic bids also depend on conference results and the CFP’s qualification rules.

State of Play
  • Projected first-round games: Boise State at Alabama; BYU at UCLA; Notre Dame at Kentucky; and Ole Miss at Texas.
  • The winners would face Miami, Georgia, Utah or Indiana in the quarterfinals.
  • Ohio State is the first team out, just behind Notre Dame in the initial rankings.
What’s Next

The committee’s next rankings will track how results reshape the field. The final bracket is scheduled for Dec. 6, with first-round games set for Dec. 18-19.

Bottom Line

Miami leads the opening projection, but no team has secured its place yet: the rankings are an early guide, not a playoff verdict.