2025-26 College Football Playoff Schedule; Projected Bracket, Rankings, and Schedules

The 2025-26 college football playoff schedule is starting to get real now. The initial rankings and projected bracket came out today, November 4th, 2025. There are a few differences this season compared to last year with regards to the top four overall ranked teams earning byes. For the first rankings this season, we see Ohio State at #1, followed by Indiana, Texas A&M, and Alabama. Lots of football to be played until we get the final brackets set.  

2025-26 College Football Playoff Rankings – November 4th

Here’s the 2025-26 college football playoff rankings for November 8th. We do see Notre Dame enter the rankings at #10 with two losses, and Tennessee is ranked at #25 with three losses. Of note, Virginia is the #4 ranked conference champion so they get a spot. Memphis is the #5 ranked conference champion and they get in despite not being ranked. As a result, if the playoffs occurred today, both Texas and Oklahoma would be out since the five highest ranked conference champions get a spot this postseason. 

2025-26 College Football Playoff Schedule and Bracket

The top four ranked teams get the top four seeds this year for the byes. Here’s what the 2025-26 college football playoff schedule and bracket look like if the playoffs were set today. 

First Round (and related quarterfinal matchups)

• No. 12 Memphis at No. 5 Georgia
  • Winner vs. No. 4 Alabama in the quarterfinals
• No. 11 Virginia at No. 6 Ole Miss
  • Winner vs. No. 3 Texas A&M in the quarterfinals
• No. 10 Notre Dame at No. 7 BYU
  • Winner vs. No. 2 Indiana in the quarterfinals
• No. 9 Oregon at No. 8 Texas Tech
  • Winner vs. No. 1 Ohio State in the quarterfinals

2025-26 College Football Playoff and Bowl Schedules

As we get further into the 2025-26 FBS football regular season, we can take a look at the college football postseason schedule. We have the overall bowl schedule, CFP bracket, and college football playoff schedules for you to check out.