We're already through seven weeks of the college football season, which means the postseason and College Football Playoff is quickly approaching.
Following a chaotic Week 7 in which five top-10 teams fell (including two to unranked opponents), fans may be understandably anxious to see where their teams fall in the initial CFP polls. Indeed, the first CFP rankings will serve as an important benchmark for teams to see where they stand in their bid to make the playoff — and what work needs to be done — through the final few weeks of the season.
The CFP rankings aren't the be-all and end-all, though.
Just ask Notre Dame, which was in the field for each of the CFP rankings
releases last season before being dropped after conference championship weekend for Miami, who beat the Fighting Irish in nonconference play earlier in the season.
When do the first CFP rankings come out? Here's what to know of when the first CFP committee-picked top 25 releases:
When do first CFP rankings come out?
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 3
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
The first CFP rankings of the 2026 season will come out starting at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The top 25 will be unveiled in parts through the one-hour show on ESPN.
How to watch CFP rankings reveal
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
The CFP rankings reveal will air live on ESPN, with streaming options on the ESPN app or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
CFP rankings release schedule 2026
Here's a look at the full CFP rankings release schedule for the 2026 season:
- Tuesday, Nov. 3: 7-8 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Nov. 10: 9-9:30 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Nov. 17: 9-9:30 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Nov. 24: 7:30-8 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Dec. 1: 7-7:30 p.m. ET
- Sunday, Dec. 6: Noon-3 p.m. ET
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When do first CFP rankings come out? Full College Football Playoff schedule
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