The College Football Playoff Selection Committee released its newest Top 25, and after a wild championship weekend, the postseason field is beginning to take shape. Indiana stands alone at the top after completing a stunning 13–0 undefeated season, while traditional powerhouse Ohio State sits close behind at No. 2 following a hard-fought 12–1 campaign.
With the expanded 12-team playoff arriving, these rankings are more consequential than ever. Conference champions, at-large hopefuls, and college football bluebloods are all jockeying for seeding—and for survival.
Top 25 Rankings — Games Played Through Championship Weekend
1. Indiana (13–0)
A historic season. A perfect run. The Hoosiers shocked the nation, rising from dark-horse to legitimate title contender. They now enter the playoffs with the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.
2. Ohio State (12–1)
The Buckeyes’ lone blemish wasn’t enough to keep them out of the top tier. Their dominance on both sides of the ball makes them one of the most feared teams in the bracket.
3. Georgia (12–1)
The Bulldogs once again find themselves in familiar territory: elite, physical, and built for deep playoff runs. Another national title push is firmly on the table.
4. Texas Tech (12–1)
One of the best stories of the season. The Red Raiders capped a breakout year with a conference championship and now claim the final first-round bye.
5. Oregon (11–1)
The Ducks came one game short of perfection but remain one of the country’s most explosive teams. They’ll host a CFP First Round game with major expectations.
6. Ole Miss (11–1)
Lane Kiffin’s Rebels put together one of the most complete seasons in program history. Their offense remains one of the most dangerous in the nation.
7. Texas A&M (11–1)
A&M fought through a brutal schedule and emerged as a playoff threat. Their defense may make them a dark-horse for a semifinal run.
8. Oklahoma (10–2)
The Sooners are playing some of their best football late in the season. Their postseason ceiling hinges on consistency—and their ability to finish games.
9. Alabama (10–3)
Not the vintage Crimson Tide year, but never count out Nick Saban. Even at 10–3, Alabama remains a team no one wants to face in a win-or-go-home scenario.
10. Miami (10–2)
The Hurricanes re-emerged with a double-digit win season and a defense ranked among the nation’s best.
11. Notre Dame (10–2)
A classic Notre Dame year: physical, disciplined, and in the playoff hunt yet again.
12. BYU (11–2)
The Cougars continue to hold their place as one of the toughest independent programs in the nation.
13. Texas (9–3)
Talented, dangerous, and unpredictable. The Longhorns remain one of the biggest wild cards entering bowl season.
14. Vanderbilt (10–2)
Perhaps the most surprising program in the Top 25. Vanderbilt put together a remarkable 10–2 season that has reshaped expectations.
15. Utah (10–2)
A tough, bruising team that rarely beats itself. Utah once again finishes as one of the Pac-12’s most respected programs.
16. Southern California (9–3)
USC recovered from midseason turbulence to finish strong, fueled by offensive firepower.
17. Arizona (9–3)
The Wildcats continue their rise with another impressive campaign, putting the rest of the Pac-12 on notice.
18. Michigan (9–3)
A rebuilding year by Michigan standards, but the Wolverines remain competitive in every game.
19. Virginia (10–3)
The Cavaliers turned heads with a 10-win season and earned a spot in the Top 20.
20. Tulane (11–2)
Tulane continues to prove last season was no fluke. The Green Wave is a legitimate force.
21. Houston (9–3)
Solid, physical, and explosive on offense. Houston caps off another strong year.
22. Georgia Tech (9–3)
Georgia Tech’s steady climb back to national relevance continues.
23. Iowa (8–4)
The Hawkeyes’ elite defense keeps them in nearly every game.
24. James Madison (12–1)
Another stellar season as JMU proves it belongs with college football’s big programs.
25. North Texas (11–2)
A strong 11-win campaign earns the Mean Green a well-deserved place in the final rankings.
Click HERE to download rankings (PDF).
What These Rankings Mean for the 12-Team Playoff
With the expanded format now on the college football landscape, these rankings determine far more than bragging rights. The top four teams—Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech—earn valuable first-round byes, avoiding the opening weekend chaos.
Teams ranked 5 through 12 will host first-round matchups on campus, setting the stage for one of the most electric playoff atmospheres in history.
The new format rewards consistency, punishes late-season collapses, and—most importantly—gives more programs a realistic path to the national championship.
And with this year’s chaos-filled regular season, that path looks wide-open.
About the College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff (CFP) determines the national champion each season. The selection committee ranks the top 25 teams following the regular season, seeding conference champions and at-large teams into a 12-team bracket.
The five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams make the field, with the top four conference champions receiving a bye.
The Playoff Quarterfinals and Semifinals rotate among the Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Orange Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl, and Sugar Bowl.
The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship will be held on January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
For more information, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com.
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