When do the new college football rankings come out

On 25 October 2026, college football analysts and fans are turning their attention toward the upcoming release of the first College Football Playoff rankings of the 2026 season. Following the conclusion of the Week 9 slate of games, the selection committee is scheduled to unveil its inaugural top 25 list on Tuesday, 3 November 2026. This highly anticipated announcement marks the official start of the high-stakes period where the committee begins evaluating teams based on strength of schedule, head-to-head results, and overall performance. Unlike the media-driven polls that have dominated the conversation throughout September and October, these committee rankings serve as the definitive metric for determining which programs will secure a spot in the expanded playoff bracket. As the season enters its final month, the pressure on undefeated teams and one-loss contenders is intensifying. The committee will continue to release updated rankings every Tuesday evening throughout the remainder of the regular season, culminating in the final selection day on Sunday, 6 December 2026, which will set the stage for the postseason tournament.