The first College Football Playoff rankings of the 2026 season were released Tuesday, placing the Miami Hurricanes at No. 1. The Alabama Crimson Tide checked in at No. 5, while the Notre Dame Fighting Irish landed at No. 11, a placement that drew widespread surprise.
The rankings, unveiled on Nov. 3, 2026, set the stage for the playoff selection process. Miami quarterback Darian Mensah led the Hurricanes in a game against North Carolina on Oct. 31, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr appeared in a contest against BYU on Oct. 17, 2026, in Provo, Utah. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was seen during warmups before the Bulldogs' game against Auburn on Oct. 17, 2026, in Athens, Ga.
