Countdown to Chaos: Unveiling the 2025 College Football Playoff Rankings

As November rolls in, the stage is set for the eagerly awaited debut of the 2025 College Football Playoff rankings — a moment that always sparks a mix of anticipation and anxious scrutiny among fans and teams alike. With just a handful of undefeated squads – Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and BYU – standing tall as the regular season wraps up, the spotlight equally shines on formidable one-loss contenders like Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, and Ole Miss. They’ll all be hanging on every word when the committee unveils its latest verdict. The format stays true to form this year with 12 teams making the cut, but there’s a twist: unlike past seasons, the four highest-ranked conference champions won’t get an automatic first-round break. Instead, that privilege goes strictly to the top four teams in the final CFP poll. It’s a fresh battleground that promises more drama and strategic nuances as January approaches. If you’re hungry for all the dates, viewing options, and insider insights into the rankings rollout and playoff schedule, look no further — it’s all laid out right here for your game-day prep. LEARN MORE

The calendar has flipped from October to November, and that means the first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings is on the way.

Only four teams are still undefeated as they approach the final stage of the 2025 regular season: Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M and BYU. One-loss teams like Alabama, Georgia, Oregon and Ole Miss will be watching the release show closely to see how the committee views them compared to the rest of the field.

Once again, the College Football Playoff will feature a dozen teams with the five highest-ranked conference champions earning automatic bids. However, the four highest-ranked champions will not automatically receive a first-round bye this year. Instead, the four highest-ranked teams in the College Football Playoff committee’s final poll will sit out the opening round.

Here is everything you need to know about the College Football Playoff rankings release, including a full schedule of selection shows during the 2025 season.

When are the College Football Playoff rankings released?

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 4
Time: 8 p.m. ET

The first set of College Football Playoff rankings will be released on Tuesday, Nov. 4. A new set of CFP rankings will be released every Tuesday before the final list drops on Sunday, Dec. 7.

How to watch CFP rankings release: TV channel, live stream

The College Football Playoff committee will release the new rankings each week on ESPN. Cord-cutters can stream the selection show on the ESPN app and Fubo, which is currently offering a free trial.

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CFP rankings release schedule 2025

Date	Time (ET)	TV/Live stream
Nov. 4	8 p.m.	ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo
Nov. 11	7 p.m.	ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo
Nov. 18	8:30 p.m.*	ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo
Nov. 25	7 p.m.	ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo
Dec. 2	7 p.m.	ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo
Dec. 7	Noon	ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo

*Approximate start time between State Farm Champions Classic basketball games

College Football Playoff game schedule 2025-26

Date	Game	Time (ET)	TV/Live stream
Dec. 19	CFP first round	TBD	TBD
Dec. 20	CFP first round	TBD	TBD
	CFP first round	TBD	TBD
	CFP first round	TBD	TBD
Dec. 31	CFP quarterfinal (Cotton Bowl)	7:30 p.m.	ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo
Jan. 1	CFP quarterfinal (Orange Bowl)	Noon	ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo
	CFP quarterfinal (Rose Bowl)	4 p.m.	ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo
	CFP quarterfinal (Sugar Bowl)	8 p.m.	ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo
Jan. 8	CFP semifinal (Fiesta Bowl)	7:30 p.m.	ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo
Jan. 9	CFP semifinal (Peach Bowl)	7:30 p.m.	ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo
Jan. 19	CFP national championship	7:30 p.m.	ESPN, ESPN app, Fubo