The first College Football Playoff rankings of the 2026 season placed undefeated Miami at No. 1, ahead of fellow unbeaten Georgia and Utah, with Indiana rounding out the top four and earning first-round byes. The SEC dominated the top seven, with Alabama at No. 5, Kentucky at No. 6, and Texas at No. 7, each ranked significantly higher than in the AP Top 25.
The projected 12-team bracket includes five SEC teams, while Notre Dame sits as the final entrant at No. 11. Ohio State is the first team out at No. 12, edged out by Group of Six champion Boise State at No. 25. First-round hosts would be Alabama, Kentucky, Texas, and UCLA, setting up a Texas vs. Ole Miss rematch and Alabama hosting the Group of Six representative.
Notre Dame faces a critical matchup against No. 1 Miami; a loss would likely eliminate the Fighting Irish from playoff contention. The committee's strong preference for the SEC is evident, with four SEC teams in the top seven compared to just one in the AP poll. A hypothetical 24-team expansion would place nine SEC teams in the field, according to a Yahoo Sports projection based on the current rankings.
