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Published November 8, 2026 | Rankings released November 3, 2026
The first 2026 College Football Playoff rankings have arrived, setting the stage for an exciting November as college football's leading programs compete for a place in the 12-team playoff.
Miami leads the initial CFP Top 25, followed by Georgia, Utah, Indiana and Alabama. Kentucky and undefeated UCLA are also among the early contenders, while traditional powers Notre Dame and Ohio State remain firmly in the playoff conversation.
With another weekend of college football completed, attention now turns to the next official rankings release on Tuesday, November 10.
Below, explore the complete CFP Top 25, the biggest storylines, and featured college football hats from ten of the nation's leading teams.
Official CFP rankings released November 3, 2026, based on games played through October 31.
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami Hurricanes | 8–0 |
| 2 | Georgia Bulldogs | 7–1 |
| 3 | Utah Utes | 8–0 |
| 4 | Indiana Hoosiers | 8–1 |
| 5 | Alabama Crimson Tide | 6–2 |
| 6 | Kentucky Wildcats | 7–1 |
| 7 | Texas Longhorns | 6–2 |
| 8 | UCLA Bruins | 8–0 |
| 9 | BYU Cougars | 7–1 |
| 10 | Ole Miss Rebels | 6–2 |
| 11 | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | 7–1 |
| 12 | Ohio State Buckeyes | 6–2 |
| 13 | Tennessee Volunteers | 6–2 |
| 14 | LSU Tigers | 6–2 |
| 15 | Texas Tech Red Raiders | 7–1 |
| 16 | Wake Forest Demon Deacons | 7–1 |
| 17 | Houston Cougars | 6–2 |
| 18 | Missouri Tigers | 6–2 |
| 19 | Iowa Hawkeyes | 6–2 |
| 20 | USC Trojans | 7–2 |
| 21 | South Carolina Gamecocks | 5–3 |
| 22 | Arizona Wildcats | 6–2 |
| 23 | Oregon Ducks | 5–3 |
| 24 | Florida Gators | 5–3 |
| 25 | Boise State Broncos | 7–1 |
Source: College Football Playoff Selection Committee. These are the November 3 rankings, not a projection of the November 10 release.
Updated November 8, 2026
Week 10 delivered several important results that could reshape the College Football Playoff rankings when the selection committee releases its next Top 25 on November 10.
Notre Dame earned a statement victory over top-ranked Miami, strengthening the Fighting Irish's playoff résumé. Miami's first loss also opens the door for movement at the top of the rankings.
No. 2 Georgia delivered an impressive victory over No. 10 Ole Miss, strengthening the Bulldogs' case for the top spot in the next CFP rankings.
No. 3 Utah remained undefeated with an important victory over No. 9 BYU. The Utes continue to build their playoff résumé and strengthen their position in the Big 12 championship race.
No. 13 Tennessee defeated No. 6 Kentucky in one of the weekend's most significant SEC results. The victory could move Tennessee higher in the rankings while putting Kentucky's playoff position under additional pressure.
Alabama defeated LSU 31–13, while undefeated UCLA earned a 34–20 victory over Minnesota. Both teams remain firmly in the postseason conversation.
What's next? The updated CFP Top 25 rankings arrive Tuesday, November 10. Check back for the latest standings, playoff developments, and featured college football hats.
Miami earned the No. 1 position in the initial November 3 CFP rankings, highlighting the Hurricanes' impressive start to the season. However, Notre Dame's 31–24 victory over Miami on November 7 has introduced new uncertainty at the top of the playoff race heading into the next rankings release.
Georgia enters the rankings at No. 2, while Alabama begins at No. 5. Both programs have established postseason pedigrees, and their remaining schedules will be important in determining the final playoff field.
Kentucky, ranked No. 6, adds another compelling storyline to the SEC playoff race.
Indiana opens at No. 4, while undefeated UCLA enters at No. 8.
Both programs have positioned themselves among the nation's leading contenders, making the final weeks of the regular season especially important for Big Ten fans.
Notre Dame begins at No. 11 and Ohio State at No. 12. Both are close to the projected playoff field, but neither is guaranteed a postseason berth.
Upcoming results and conference championship outcomes could significantly change the playoff picture.
The College Football Playoff brings increased attention to some of the biggest fan bases in the country. Whether you're attending a rivalry game, watching from home or shopping for a holiday gift, a team hat is an easy way to show your school pride.
Here are ten featured programs and hat styles worth exploring this season.
Featured style: Miami Hurricanes adjustable or trucker hat
Miami's No. 1 CFP ranking puts the Hurricanes in the national spotlight. A classic orange-and-green Miami hat is a natural choice for fans following the playoff race.
Featured style: Georgia Bulldogs structured or adjustable hat
Georgia fans have plenty of reasons to follow the postseason race. A traditional red-and-black Bulldogs cap is a versatile choice for game day or everyday wear.
Featured style: Utah Utes '47 Clean Up Adjustable Hat - Black
Utah's undefeated start and No. 3 ranking have made the Utes one of the season's most compelling playoff contenders. A Utah hat lets fans represent their team throughout the postseason chase.
Featured style: Indiana Hoosiers embroidered adjustable hat
Indiana's strong football season adds another dimension to a school already known for its passionate basketball following. A crimson-and-cream Hoosiers hat works across both sports.
Featured style: Alabama Crimson Tide 59Fifty New Era Red Fitted Hat
Alabama remains one of college football's most recognizable programs. A traditional Crimson Tide cap is an enduring option for fans following another potential playoff run.
👉 Shop Alabama Crimson Tide Hats
Featured style: Kentucky Wildcats Nike Unisex Campus Prep Rise Adjustable Hat - Natural/Royal
Kentucky's No. 6 CFP ranking has brought increased attention to Wildcats football. With college basketball season also underway, a Kentucky hat offers fans a way to represent both programs.
Featured style: Texas Longhorns '47 Clean Up Adjustable Hat - Burnt Orange
Texas remains a major presence in the SEC playoff race. The Longhorns' iconic logo and burnt-orange colors make their hats instantly recognizable. This is a classic, must-have mainstay in any Texas Longhorn fan's hat collection.
Featured style: UCLA Bruins '47 Clean Up Adjustable Hat - Blue
UCLA's unbeaten start has placed the Bruins among the top CFP contenders. A blue-and-gold UCLA hat is also an excellent option for fans following the upcoming college basketball season.
Featured style: Notre Dame Fighting Irish Kelly Green '47 Brand Clean up Adjustable Hat
Notre Dame's dramatic 31–24 victory over No. 1 Miami has strengthened the Fighting Irish's playoff hopes. A classic Kelly Green '47 Clean Up adjustable hat is a timeless way to show Notre Dame pride throughout the postseason race.
👉 Shop Notre Dame Fighting Irish Hats
Featured style: Ole Miss Rebels Nike Primetime SwooshFlex Dri-FIT Hat - Powder Blue
Ole Miss rounds out the initial CFP Top 10. Rebels fans can represent their team with a traditional navy, red or powder-blue hat throughout the final weeks of the season.
Hat availability and styles vary. Explore each team's collection for current options.
The 2026 College Football Playoff features a 12-team bracket.
The field includes the champions of the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC, along with the highest-ranked eligible champion from the other FBS conferences. The remaining seven positions are filled by the next highest-ranked teams under the selection rules.
Four first-round games take place on campus sites, followed by the quarterfinals and semifinals at designated bowl games.
The national championship game is scheduled for January 25, 2027, in Las Vegas.
Importantly, the CFP Top 25 rankings are not identical to the final 12-team playoff bracket. Conference championships and selection rules determine the eventual field.
The next official CFP rankings will be released Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at approximately 9 p.m. Eastern.
CampusHats will update this guide as new rankings are announced, highlighting changes to the playoff race and featuring hats from leading college football programs.
Fans can explore college football hats in a variety of styles, including adjustable caps, snapbacks, fitted hats, trucker hats and rope hats.
CampusHats features team-specific shopping guides to help fans compare popular hat styles and find merchandise from major college programs.
You can also browse college football hats and officially licensed fan gear through Fanatics.
👉 Shop College Football Hats at Fanatics
Affiliate disclosure: CampusHats may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links, at no additional cost to you.
Miami holds the No. 1 position in the initial CFP rankings released November 3, 2026.
The next rankings are scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
Twelve teams qualify for the College Football Playoff under the current format.
No. The final field depends on the selection rules, including qualifying conference champions and at-large selections.
CampusHats offers team-specific hat guides and shopping collections for many leading college football programs, including Miami, Georgia, Alabama, Indiana, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Texas.
Looking for more than the teams featured in the College Football Playoff rankings?
Explore our Best College Football Hats for 2026 guide, featuring popular teams, officially licensed caps, and fan-favorite styles from leading college football programs.
Whether you prefer fitted hats, adjustable caps, snapbacks, or trucker hats, discover more options for game day and everyday wear.
👉 Explore the Best College Football Hats for 2026
College football hats make great Christmas gifts for students, alumni, and dedicated fans. Whether you're shopping for a Notre Dame, Alabama, Georgia, Miami, or Texas supporter, our holiday guide highlights popular sports hats, classic styles, and gift ideas.
👉 Explore Our Best Sports Hats Holiday Gift Guide
The first CFP rankings have established the early playoff picture, but several important weeks remain before the final selections.
Bookmark this guide for updated rankings, playoff storylines and featured college football hats as the 2026 season approaches its postseason.
