Miami Tops First College Football Playoff Rankings, Notre Dame 11th

The College Football Playoff selection committee released its first rankings of the 2026 season Tuesday, with undefeated Miami at No. 1, followed by Georgia, Utah and defending national champion Indiana, NBC Sports and ESPN reported.

Alabama, Kentucky, Texas, UCLA, BYU and Ole Miss filled Nos. 5 through 10, according to both outlets. Notre Dame was 11th and Ohio State 12th. ESPN reported the Buckeyes dropped after a 30-18 loss at USC, their first game without injured quarterback Julian Sayin, though the committee still credited their road win at Indiana as very impressive. Boise State, ranked 25th, would take the Group of Six automatic spot and replace Ohio State in the 12-team field if the season ended now, according to ESPN and NBC Sports.

Committee chair Hunter Yurachek said the season has been “crazy” with “unbelievable parity” through eight weeks, ESPN reported. NBC Sports reported that Yurachek said Notre Dame lacks a “signature win” right now, citing the Irish schedule. NBC Sports reported Notre Dame ranked seven spots lower than in the AP poll, and that eight SEC teams ranked higher than in the AP poll. ESPN reported the SEC has five teams in the top 12, the Big Ten three and the Big 12 two.

ESPN reported that Miami next plays at Notre Dame this weekend.