The 2025-26 college football playoff schedule is starting to get real now. The initial rankings and projected bracket came out today, November 4th, 2025. There are a few differences this season compared to last year with regards to the top four overall ranked teams earning byes. For the first rankings this season, we see Ohio State at #1, followed by Indiana, Texas A&M, and Alabama. Lots of football to be played until we get the final brackets set.
2025-26 College Football Playoff Rankings – November 4th
Here’s the 2025-26 college football playoff rankings for November 8th. We do see Notre Dame enter the rankings at #10 with two losses, and Tennessee is ranked at #25 with three losses. Of note, Virginia is the #4 ranked conference champion so they get a spot. Memphis is the #5 ranked conference champion and they get in despite not being ranked. As a result, if the playoffs occurred today, both Texas and Oklahoma would be out since the five highest ranked conference champions get a spot this postseason.
| RANK | SCHOOL | RECORD |
| 1 | Ohio State | 8-0 |
| 2 | Indiana | 9-0 |
| 3 | Texas A&M | 8-0 |
| 4 | Alabama | 7-1 |
| 5 | Georgia | 7-1 |
| 6 | Ole Miss | 8-1 |
| 7 | BYU | 8-0 |
| 8 | Texas Tech | 8-1 |
| 9 | Oregon | 7-1 |
| 10 | Notre Dame | 6-2 |
| 11 | Texas | 7-2 |
| 12 | Oklahoma | 7-2 |
| 13 | Utah | 7-2 |
| 14 | Virginia | 8-1 |
| 15 | Louisville | 7-1 |
| 16 | Vanderbilt | 7-2 |
| 17 | Georgia Tech | 8-1 |
| 18 | Miami (Fla.) | 6-2 |
| 19 | Southern Cal | 6-2 |
| 20 | Iowa | 6-2 |
| 21 | Michigan | 7-2 |
| 22 | Missouri | 6-2 |
| 23 | Washington | 6-2 |
| 24 | Pittsburgh | 7-2 |
| 25 | Tennessee | 6-3 |
2025-26 College Football Playoff Schedule and Bracket
The top four ranked teams get the top four seeds this year for the byes. Here’s what the 2025-26 college football playoff schedule and bracket look like if the playoffs were set today.
First Round (and related quarterfinal matchups)
- No. 12 Memphis at No. 5 Georgia
- Winner vs. No. 4 Alabama in the quarterfinals
- No. 11 Virginia at No. 6 Ole Miss
- Winner vs. No. 3 Texas A&M in the quarterfinals
- No. 10 Notre Dame at No. 7 BYU
- Winner vs. No. 2 Indiana in the quarterfinals
- No. 9 Oregon at No. 8 Texas Tech
- Winner vs. No. 1 Ohio State in the quarterfinals
2025-26 College Football Playoff and Bowl Schedules
As we get further into the 2025-26 FBS football regular season, we can take a look at the college football postseason schedule. We have the overall bowl schedule, CFP bracket, and college football playoff schedules for you to check out.
